Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside supports mission work by giving at least 10% of all general offerings received to worthy mission projects at home and abroad. These include:
Indonesia (Asia Pacific Christian Mission) - Indonesia is an island chain stretching 3000 miles, with 13,000 islands and 200 million people. 160 million are Muslim. Gideon and Mai Tanbunaan supervise the work, training native leadership to spread the Gospel and establish churches. One of the needs is to provide motorbikes at a cost of $800 for some of the ministers who walk or ride bicycles over rough terrain to serve churches. Through our "Pennies for Penicillin" project, we collected $936 last year. In spite of Indonesia's political and social turmoil, as yet the mission compound has not been destroyed and the nurses have been able to move about safely due to the compassion offered through the free clinic. The Tanbunaans report 15,000 villagers were treated in 2000. In years past, two village churches buildings were constructed with a personal gift from Dave and Barbara Jones and a special offering from Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside.
India (Church of Christ Mission in India) - Fifty-three years ago Bernel and Joan Getter went to India as newly-weds. Under their direction, 95 Christian churches have been established. The Christian Training Institute has 85 ministerial students enrolled. Six hostels house 500 school children. Their accredited schools, primary through junior college have a total of 3200 students. Over 150 full and part time staff are engaged in pastoral or education work. Dick and Mary Miller spent two weeks in India and were amazed at the Bible teaching in each school. A long-awaited dream came to pass last year with the building of a Medical Center, thanks to contributions from individuals and churches in the USA. A large donation for an X-ray machine was given by I.D.E.S. The medical team is out into the villages twice a week and is reaching the poor and destitute where the need is greatest. A table, four chairs, a large rug and two tin trunks of medical supplies set up in the center of the village can take care of up to 50 patients on a single journey. While waiting for treatment they are introduced to Jesus Christ, the Great Healer of body and soul.
Japan (Kansai Christian Mission) - We have become well acquainted with this mission effort through the Home Stay program by Warren and Eileen Christianson who bring Japanese students to Oceanside to experience Christian home-life. Their goal is to have an established church with a native minister in Nagano. A ministerial student from Osaka Bible Seminary has been a great help to them, preaching and leading the youth group. A former member of Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside spent three months in Nagano helping with this work. Warren and Eileen both teach English in the public school system to support themselves. In their lessons on American culture they are able to introduce Christianity to their students. Our contribution helps pay rent on a building used for community outreach. Sunday worship services, summer camps, a coffee house, women's luncheons and home Bible studies are among their many activities.
Mexico (Rancho de los Ninos) - This is another mission effort well loved by Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside. Jerry Carey, member of the missions committee, serves on the board of the Rancho and willingly takes anyone along with him who wants to visit the home. Ron Pierce worked with Jerry to provide an informative video. All the Rancho children come out of needy, and in some cases, hazardous life situations. Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside members have helped put in underground wiring and helped to build a Toddlers Cottage as well as a Youth Mission Center to house large work groups. Juanita Pruitt personally collects and sends down carloads of used clothing. Every Christmas our women bake dozens of cookies for the children. The erection of The Rosewall House on the Rancho property was completely financed by one of our senior citizens, the late Don Rosewall.
Philippines (Ambassadors for Christ) - The home base of this mission is Davao City, which houses offices, a training facility, two children's homes and nursing facilities. The staff provides Biblical teaching, church planting skills and leadership training to Filipino men and women who wish to plant and lead churches. In August, 186 preachers and other leaders arrived at Davao for two weeks of intensive study. Some walked very long distances to attend. An urgent need is for $3000 to build a dormitory with showers and bathroom facilities for these students. Eighteen years ago, a long-term goal of the mission was to establish 400 churches on the island of Mindanao by year 2000. When that goal was met and surpassed, a new goal was set to have 800 churches on Mindanao by 2020. Roger and Dixie Shewmaker, parents of Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside members, Mark and Andrea Book, are directing this exciting venture. We were privileged to have them speak here last year.
Poland (Polish Christian Ministries) - Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside provides total support for minister Jerzy and Ewa Puszcz and children David and Itza. Jerzy ministers to the church at Lidzbark Warminski, in the cold, northern part of Poland. In addition to the monthly amount, each fall we accept contributions to send around $1000 to pay for their winter coal, help with upkeep/repair of their home or car, with some left over for a Christmas gift. Their present personal need is for money to insulate the walls of their house. Jerzy is a known photographer and astronomer and through these avenues has been able to reach out into the community with the gospel. Polish Christian Missions establishes new churches, underwrites salaries for preachers and evangelists, purchases/builds worship facilities, and supports Betania, a home for senior citizens. Three members of our missions committee visited 17 Polish churches in 1998. Brenda McGill has a pictorial revue of that trip.
Within The United States
Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry (Tri-City Medical Center) - This contribution goes toward the support of Chaplain Joe Woods who shares the love of God with patients and their families, as well as the staff. In a way, a hospital is like pastoring a large transient congregation made up of all nationalities and personalities. When sorrow comes, Chaplain Wood steps in as a friend and shares God's mercy, comfort and grace. Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside Minister to Seniors is on call as a volunteer chaplain when needed.
Featherstone Camp - This property is owned by the fourteen San Diego County Christian Churches and is used for youth camps, women's and men's retreats, as well as Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside Annual Family Camp. It is also available for personal use by any church members who wish to camp there, either in their own RV or by renting a cabin. Recent additions have been an outpost area with a climbing wall equipped for rappelling, improved hiking trails and a new well. A fund, which has now reached over $6000, has been established for a swimming pool.
Southern California Evangelistic Association - This association helps pay the minister's salary in a new church until the congregation is able to fully handle that responsibility. Among recent new churches, the Christian Church in Harbor City baptized 20, Cross Country Vietnamese Christian Church had 170 people in the worship service and has baptized a group of former Buddhists. The Simi Hills Church tripled in size in seven months. Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside was the first church started by the S.C.E.A. and out of appreciation and a desire to help other churches, we send a check each month.
Hope International University (Pacific Christian College) - Three schools under this umbrella include Pacific Christian College for training Christian leaders, the School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Professional Studies. The Church Ministry Major with 1000 students is the largest major at P.C.C. Vice-President Leroy Fulton writes, "Each time you share your resources with Hope, you make it possible for us to educate a young man or woman to become a minister, teacher, youth minister, counselor, business person, etc. who will go forth from here to proclaim the good news of our Lord in whatever occupation he or she may find themselves. I can think of no better investment than helping young Christians to introduce others to Jesus."
San Jose Christian College - Interest arose in contributing to San Jose's Christian College's ethnic scholarship fund upon learning of its Multi-Culture Bible Institute. The students represent 30 different countries. Instruction is given in several different languages. We have been privileged to help with tuition for Selina Massay of India, Alexander Lopongo and Joseph Apongule from the Potok tribe in Kenya, Africa. Our monthly contribution assists ethnic students so they can return to their own country to preach the gospel. San Jose has done wonderful work on a very humble urban eight-acre campus. They are now on the threshold of moving to a new campus with 37 acres of land at the former St. Louise Hospital in Morgan Hill. This is a huge step of faith, but one the Lord has already blessed.
American Indian Christian Ministry - Located in Show Low, Arizona, this mission has been visited by several members of our church who came away impressed with the work being done among the Navajo and Apache Indians. The mission offers these children a chance for education, adequate care and food, plus love from Christian house parents. Sixty-one students came for the 2000-01 school year. Many of their families subsist on incomes below the poverty level; some of the children have been abused. Women in Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside have personally supported children in the school. We also continuously collect Campbell's Soup labels to help the mission obtain a free 15-passenger van for needed transportation (1,300,000 labels required). A most urgent need at this time is to fulfill the state fire marshal's request that a fire hydrant system be installed right away, at the projected cost of $200,000. The director says, "If Christians will pray the money will come."
Cookson Hills Christian Ministries - Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside began supporting this ministry when Cookson Hills sent a loving couple to present the mission work to our VBS children, three different years. House parents, teachers, grandparents, cooks, office staff and others, work as a team to help troubled kids who are placed at Cookson Hills. Together they teach, encourage, discipline, hug, laugh, cry and love these children and teenagers to bring them to Jesus. The ultimate goal is to help the students build character qualities, not just keep rules. Cookson Hills also strives to provide after-care for the children and families of children who leave the home, offering encouragement, emotional and spiritual support when needed to start life on their own. They are in need of additional staff.
Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside Student Scholarship Savings Account - Each month monies are deposited into a savings account from which help is given towards the tuition of Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside youth as they prepare for Christian service at one of our church colleges. Recipients through the years: Pacific Christian College: Troy Good, Lisa McBee, Mike Dietz, Jerry Halpin, Jonathan Rasmussen Indonesia: A native ministerial student Milligan College: Jennifer Openshaw
Pregnancy Resource Center, Oceanside - This mission exists to protect life, provide compassionate care, give hope in a time of uncertainty, and educate people in pregnancy related issues. They are seeing over 100 clients each month extending friendship, support and the love of God. Lighthouse Christian Church of Oceanside Helping Hands provide lovingly made quilts for their layettes.
International Assistance
International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) This agency serves as a channel through which Christian Churches and individuals can meet the physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the United States and the entire world. The work goes on and on and on Evangelism is inherent in all of the projects. Mission workers are able to reach out with the Gospel as they save the lives of suffering people both here and abroad due to earthquakes, floods, fire, hunger, and also assist with medical relief and medical emergencies. Their last report to us listed (in part):
Israel: $2,500 for food for Christians in distress due to fighting between Israel & Palestine.
Kenya $5,000 to provide drought relief for Pokot tribesmen in northern Kenya. Kenya: $5,000 sent, and $5,000 committed, for drought relief for the Maasai people.
Mexico: $15,000 through Jim Hosken, missionary, medical relief for brain surgery for a child.
Philippines: $5,600 through Dante Lumbao, minister, assistance for 56 people following a fire.
Ukraine: $25,000 sent through Charles Faust, missionary, for medical relief. Cambodia: $10,300 sent through Moses Seth, missionary, rice for flood victims. Cambodia: $12,000 sent through Moses Seth, rice seedlings for flood victims. Haiti: $5,000 sent through Jean Lusma, missionary, for flood relief
Zimbabwe: $750 a month for one year, sent through John Mark Pemberton, missionary, to provide food for 30 AIDS orphans Funds are available for victims of natural disasters when the needs arise.
