The sign outside its strip mall location proclaims
”
The Lighthouse Church,
”
and its darkened windows tend to hide the great stuff inside,
but this Morgan Hill institution offers local teens a surprising
variety of free opportunities which could result in great summer
fun.
The sign outside its strip mall location proclaims “The Lighthouse Church,” and its darkened windows tend to hide the great stuff inside, but this Morgan Hill institution offers local teens a surprising variety of free opportunities which could result in great summer fun.
The cavernous room can legally accommodate nearly 1,000 occupants participating in various activities meant to entertain youth from the ages of 12 to 18. It is open on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 3 to 8pm and Fridays from 6 to 10pm. Available free of charge are PlalyStation 2, table soccer, networked computers for video games, indoor handball, basketball courts, ping-pong and pool tables. A stage at one end is loaded with musical instruments, and in front of it are a dance floor and sound booth.
A refreshment center provides free food and beverages, everything paid for by a unique Christian ministry which strives to provide youth a safe, drug-free environment for socializing, entertainment and recreational activities.
Several Friday nights will feature free concerts with popular music and entertainers. For example, on July 14, St. James will present Christian rap at 7pm.
Lighthouse will also be offering fun activities outside the Morgan Hill city limits this summer:
n Teens can spend a week at Christian Camp, hosted on the campus of Bethany College in Scotts Valley, enjoying the outdoors.
n There will also be a trip to Lake Anderson to engage in boating, inner tubing and other water fun.
n Several daytrips will be taken to Sunset Beach in Santa Cruz County, playing in the waves and picnicking on the sand.
Lighthouse was originally begun in 1998 as a teen outreach center, and became a church about two years ago. Unfortunately, many local teens seem to think of it as a traditional church and haven’t been taking advantage of the many resources it offers them. The Rev. Shalea Adams, its senior pastor, wants Morgan Hill teens to know that all are welcome to participate in these activities and take advantage of these opportunities available to them.Â
For more information visit the church at 251 West Main Ave., call (408) 782-5111, or go to www.Lighthouse-Christian-Church.org.
Because it is not broadcast on our excellent Public Radio station, KQED-FM, most local residents may not know about a fine source of religion information. “Speaking of Faith” is a weekly show launched in 2003 on the American Public Media network from the studios of Minnesota Public Radio.
This weekly conversation about religion and ethics covers an amazing variety of topics. Recent examples include “Many Faces of Mary Magdalene,” “Deciphering the Da Vinci Code,” “Evolution of America’s Evangelicalism,” and “The Soul of War.”
Even those who can’t receive over-the-air broadcasts can enjoy these programs in several ways: streaming audio, podcast downloads and archived programs are available at the following Web site: www.speakingoffaith.org. A free e-mail newsletter which tells about each week’s topic is available by writing newsletter@
speakingoffaith.org.