The Lighthouse Vision
The Lighthouse is the centerpiece of the Sharing the Light project. It is our hope that the Lighthouse will serve as a symbolic and actual point of light for Third Church, the community, the region and the world. The Lighthouse is intended to be a place for all people to seek to “Invite the Light” so that they can then “Share the Light” in what we know to be a spiritually darkened world.
The Spirit of God is moving across the globe to invite and inspire God’s people to pray and bring forth His harvest. People from our own congregation have been sensing this calling and have joined in becoming servant-hearted disciples of Jesus with a passion for sharing Him with the world. Many have participated in 24/7 prayer rooms, ABC groups, retreats and seminars with a desire to grow in prayer and spiritual formation. With the launching of the Lighthouse, we hope to expand these opportunities and grow the awareness of our congregation and others as to how they can partner with God in sharing His light. We believe God has called us into this commitment to pray and that He will be incredibly gracious and merciful to those who pray in this space.
“Culture of Quiet”
“We need space and time to contemplate and meditate. In fact, time to stop is becoming a rare commodity...We can counter the culture by promoting the idea of sacred space. We can give people the time, the peace, the quiet and the reflection that they just don’t get outside - the time for prayer and worship; the time to think about the things that really count.” Brian and Kevin Draper, Refreshing Worship
The focus of the Lighthouse will be to create such a sacred space for many different modes of prayer activity. A “culture of quiet” will be encouraged. (The culture of quiet does not require absolute silence; the idea is that several people will be able to use shared space.) With a flexible, open design, the Lighthouse will be conducive to multi-faceted opportunities for all generations and all levels of spiritual development. We hope to create the environment, instruction, resources and spiritual “tools” that will be helpful for us to grow in our relationship and understanding of God. We seek to be ever transformed into His likeness, so we can be people of His heart and light going out to bless the world. There is much excitement as to the possibilities open to us with such a facility!
We will begin with an initial plan that designates each of the four floors in the Lighthouse with a unique focus. The basement will be interactive where students will be able to experience prayer through a variety of creative expressions. The main floor will provide opportunities for prayer centering around ecumenical church life, including prayer initiatives, the church calendar and sacred symbols. 24/7 prayer will occurs on this floor. The second floor will be the meditation floor. Individual spaces will be available for devotions and prayer along with resources to help guide those looking for assistance. The third floor and mezzanine will have a missional focus where we will look out to the world. The mezzanine has and incredible view of Pella and the surrounding area and the light shining from these windows will be symbolic of our prayers reaching out to the far corners of the world!
There are many ideas being considered in conjunction with the Lighthouse. We are hoping to offer personal retreat opportunities, classes and seminars on spiritual formation, the devotional classics and the spiritual disciplines-all with the goal of growing disciples and sending them out into the world. If you sense God is placing an idea on your heart for the Lighthouse, please let us know by dropping off your written comments in the church office or by emailing lighthouse@trcpella.com.
As God continues to unfold His plan for us and for the Lighthouse, we eagerly anticipate new pathways of prayer, spiritual renewal and development for those who join in. We are intentionally creating sacred space for God and asking Him to show us how to use it. May we become people of the Light that we may SHARE THE LIGHT!
