For three decades, LightShine Ministries in Mount Joy has been bringing the love and light of God to the people of Alaska. You can support this mission at a dinner celebrating the organization's 30th anniversary.

The meal will be held at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, on Friday, April 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will start with appetizers at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Beginning at 7 p.m., members of LightShine Ministries will share testimonies and discuss the 17 mission teams serving this year as well as long-term goals of the ministry, said Nancy Shaffer, who is organizing the event. Dinner will feature roast turkey, stuffing, baked ham, vegetables, mashed potatoes and a large assortment of homemade desserts.

LightShine International Ministries began as a follow-up ministry for a music outreach to the biker and rock music culture, founded by Tom Denlinger and Jeff Zimmerman. Influenced by Keith Green and Resurrection Band, the ministry initially focused on Christian metal music before transitioning to mission work in Alaska after Denlinger felt called by God to serve people in the state. Since 1995, LightShine has sent teams to support churches and youth camps, expanding its reach through leadership training. With a base in Palmer, Alaska, the ministry continues to grow, strengthening local churches and other outreach programs.

"For 30 years, we have been offering assistance to brothers and sisters in Christ by helping them build His Kingdom in the hearts of the people in Alaska," Shaffer said. "We offer short-term missionary opportunities for people who love people, love the outdoors and desire to serve in places where churches need help."

The organization assists churches in remote areas to build Bible camps and maintain their church buildings.

"Our calling is unique," Shaffer said. "Men and women who do not feel gifted to preach or start churches have been encouraged throughout the years by using their hands to serve the Lord by working with us. We make it our goal not only to minister to the church we are serving, but also to encourage our team members as well."

She invites anyone who is interested in discovering more about the ministry to come to the dinner.

"This is our first fundraising dinner for our ministry," she said. "The dinner is to raise funds to complete our mission base located in Palmer, Alaska. The projects include finishing the upstairs of the house, building a garage for the mission base director and his wife living at the base and then building a main garage to house our vehicles and tools."

Coming to the event provides an opportunity to hear directly from the people serving, she said.

"This is a great way to hear about the ministry work we do in Alaska, meet the different team leaders and team members who have served in Alaska and hear from the hosts we serve in Alaska," she explained. "If you are unable to serve on a team, there are opportunities to financially support our ministry by just attending the dinner and giving a donation."

No tickets are needed for the dinner, which is by donation, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, contact Shaffer at nbrown.brahma@gmail.com or call 717-712-6165 by Friday, March 28.

For more information on LightShine, visit https://lightshineministries.org.