Lighthouse enters new church building

When Steve Ritchey and his family - wife Lori, daughter Logan, and son Landon - took me on a tour of the nearly finished Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 1279 Main St., East Earl, the watchword for the new facility was "expansion."

Ground for the new church building was broken in spring of 2023, and as the building nears completion, staff members, including the youth and connections pastor, Landon, and the administrator, Logan, are looking forward to the grand opening during the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Jan. 19. The congregation began holding services in the new building on Dec. 8, 2024.

"We have a little over 60,000 square feet, but everything is built to expand," said Steve, who celebrated 30 years pastoring the church on Dec. 8. "The reason we built this large was because our expectation is that God will do great things and that He has great things in store for our region," said Steve.

The main entrance will bring visitors into a two-story foyer. The subtly shaded surroundings are done in gray and cream with accent walls in light blue and green colors. Continuity is provided by the gray and black carpet found throughout the building and subway tile accents in white and gray tones.

Steve explained that the footprint of the downstairs is repeated on the second floor, where five large adult Sunday school classes are located. Other second-floor areas are left open to provide room for growth.

To the right of the main entrance is a cafe. Behind the cafe is an industrial kitchen, which serves both the cafe and the full gym, which can be set up to seat 300 for a fellowship meal with a staging area for presentations.

"This will be the sanctuary," said Steve, stepping on to the stage of the new worship area. "The downstairs will seat 680," he noted, adding that the balcony, which will open later, will offer seating for hundreds more. The room boasts a built-in baptismal area, a 16-by-10-foot LED wall, two projectors, and two screens. Near the sanctuary will be a parents' room and a room for nursing moms. Lori pointed out the ADA-compliant chair lift and restrooms.

The first floor of the building also contains a chapel, which will double as an area for youth events, and a suite of 11 offices, a conference room, and a reception area inside the west entrance to the building. To the right of the sanctuary is a self-contained children's education area. Logan explained the Sunday school process for children. "The kids go to worship with parents, because we believe it's important for families to be together and for kids to witness their parents living out their faith," she said, adding that children will be dismissed to their Sunday school classes after worship. For security purposes, the kids will be checked in by parents at a reception desk of the children's section. Logan pointed out classrooms that can be subdivided into smaller rooms. Several Jack and Jill bathrooms are included in the area, with some located between classrooms. Lori pointed out that the children's ministry area, like the offices, has its own kitchenette area for convenience.

On the east side of the first floor is a room that will be a large food pantry. "We will hold quarterly community meals on the same night the food pantry (is open)," said Logan, who noted that personal products will be available as well. A clothing bank will also be offered periodically. Lori pointed to the office for the food pantry and the covered entryway where recipients may pull up in their cars. The food pantry will be held on the first and third Fridays of each month from 6 to 7 p.m.

On the second floor, five large adult classrooms will be available for classes and meetings. An outdoor living space is located on the east side of the building to enjoy lunches and evening fellowship. "You can see for miles," shared Logan. With the exception of the adult classrooms, much of the second floor will remain unfinished for now. "This could be the youth sanctuary," said Steve, gesturing to the large area. "When we outgrow, we will simply move up here to these unfinished areas," said Steve. "We just pop windows in then. We don't know what the Lord will have for this area."

Landon explained that the cafe will open each Sunday following the church service for fellowship. "At 11 a.m., we will have Connect Hour," he said. "Connect Hour is when leadership and discipleship classes for adults will be held, and there will be youth and kids' ministries meetings."

In addition, the church will continue to hold a Wednesday night program at 7 p.m., which will include youth and children's ministry and a service for adults.

Landon also pointed out that the angle of the building, which is located just west of the Shady Maple Complex, is set to be seen by those approaching from several directions. "The building is built at an angle so it can be seen better from Route 23," he said. Steve stated that those coming from Route 23 East and Route 625 will see the building as they reach the intersection of those roads.

Readers who would like more information about the church may visit http://www.lighthouseag.com.