Established in January 2014, Lighthouse is able to offer a wide range of support for those vulnerable and marginalised we meet in the city of Leeds, including:
Sunday Service & Meal - we gather every Sunday lunchtime in St George’s Crypt for our creative and engaging church service involving a mixture of story, scripture, prayer, testimony and song, followed by a freshly prepared hot meal. Very often there is a tangible sense of God's presence and high levels of engagement, with often 70+ attending . There are many who find mainstream church difficult but consider Lighthouse to be their spiritual home - a place of community and discipleship. For others this is their first exposure to the good news of Jesus.
Midweek Day Centre Provision - every Wednesday we offer a cafe-style safe space where vulnerable adults can relax, have fun & access pastoral support. This is followed by a time where we gather as a group to sing, share and join together in recovery-focused Bible study & prayer. Alongside this, each Monday we also offer a smaller family-feel day centre called Harbour for those more vulnerable. On Fridays we collaborate with ‘Horsforth Shed’ for a hands-on woodworking day centre experience.
Pastoral Support for individuals throughout the week. Including:
Prison/Court/Hospital/Home visits
Assisting with application & transport to Christian rehabilitation communities
Service Signposting & accompanied visits e.g. Foodbank referrals, Housing, Medical Appointments
Mental Health Crisis & Suicide Intervention
One to One Pastoral Care
Street Outreach
Training & Resourcing
We also love to collaborate, raise up leaders and share generously with other organisations and churches. We do this in different ways, through:
-Lighthouse Internship - a year’s placement for those looking to grow, serve, learn, & love like Jesus.
-‘Mission, Theology & Ministry for the Margins’ - our online course we run in partnership with Leeds School of Theology
-Team Training & Placements - to equip church leaders in their own communities & ministries.
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More than 150 people call Lighthouse their church. It is a safe haven and a place of hope for those who attend – many of our regular participants refer to Lighthouse as their family.
The Covid19 pandemic has seen Lighthouse adapt in the way we provide care & support.
Our new Day Centres have proved crucial in serving some of the most vulnerable in our community, as highlighted in our survey below:
Since its founding in January 2014, Lighthouse has served over 18,000 hot meals, seen 75+ people go to residential rehab communities, and held more than 600 services. We’ve witnessed 90+ baptisms and reaffirmations of faith, & supported individuals with hundreds of home visits, hospital, court and prison visits.
(September 2023)