WE ARE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
OUR HISTORY
In 1978, Bill Orf, a man responding to the leading of God, invited some friends to meet in his unfinished home. Believing God’s directive to “Arise, Shine for your light has come” Pastor Bill laid boards down on props for people to enter, added a door onto his bathroom and waited for people to drive up the dirt road. In the early days there were sometimes three other members who came to worship and hear the preaching at the Lighthouse Church, but at the end of the first year there were 50 people squeezing into the home. They knew it was time to move before winter made it impossible to climb the extremely steep mountain and began to trust God for the new location.
 
Miraculously, Pastor Bill was offered the opportunity to use a local church building for the cost of $5 a week. The congregation began meeting in Port Clinton and the week of their first service, it snowed! The time in the Port Clinton church building provided wonderful opportunities for the beginning of ministry to prisoners connecting with various missionaries and enjoying fellowship at the Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center. There were sunrise services and hot summer nights. When the floor boards became too dangerous to dance upon, it became clear that a new location was needed.
 
Once again, the Lord provided. In 1981 we purchased our own building on Rt. 61 in Deer Lake, and in 1998, having outgrown that facility, we purchased our current location, a former Tupperware building, up the road on Route 61 in Orwigsburg. Our members worked tirelessly to provide labor and expertise as we renovated the entire building.
 
Today, the baton has been passed, and you can learn more about our awesome team by clicking here. Together, we are all constantly serving, teaching, helping, caring, loving, reaching out, and looking forward to the great things that God has in store for us in the future. We welcome everyone to join us on Sunday mornings at 9 AM to grow with us as we all go through our journey of life together.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
The Godhead
We believe in and worship the one God that has eternally existed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-2, 1:26; Zechariah 4:6; John 1:1-5, 1:14; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2
 
Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, was crucified, died, buried, resurrected and demonstrated that he was alive for the next forty days until he ascended into Heaven and is now in His priestly ministry at the right hand of the Father.
Matthew 1:18; Isaiah 7:14; II Cor. 5:21; Matthew 4:23-24; Acts 2:23-24; Acts 1:3; Luke 24:50-51; Hebrews 8:1-2
 
Salvation
We believe that personal salvation is through God’s grace and our faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; John 14:6
 
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be the word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit and the only infallible rule of faith and conduct.
II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:16-17
 
Resurrection
We believe that there will be a resurrection day when all will stand before God’s judgement seat. Those that accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have the fruits of their salvation will experience eternal life. Those that rejected Jesus Christ will experience eternal punishment.
John 3:16-18; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13; Matthew 13:49-50; Matthew 25:31-34
 
Sanctification
We believe in the sanctification of believers. This means that every believer is set apart by God for the fulfillment of His purposes and plans. As we embrace the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will live our lives in holiness and personal integrity to the praise of His glory.
II Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 2:21; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 1:11-12; l Peter 2:5; II Peter 1:3-8; I Corinthians 12:7
 
Healing
We believe in divine healing through faith in the name of Jesus Christ and that healing is included in the atonement, available today but fully seen at the resurrection.
Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Acts 28:8-9; l Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14-15; I Corinthians 15:42-44
 
Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism is for those that have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Immersion into the water is a proclamation of and identification with the Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our old self is crucified with Christ and we are raised to newness of life.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:27
 
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
We believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. We believe in the present and ongoing empowering ministry and affirming seal of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. We believe that all of the spiritual gifts and ministries are active today as they were in the New Testament, some of which include tongues, healing, pastors and prophets. The Holy Spirit provides a diversity of gifting for the common good and calls us all to show evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.
Acts 1:5; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 19:5-6; l Corinthians 12:7-11; II Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:7, 11-12; Ephesians 4:30
 
The Return of Christ
We believe in the promise of the day of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 11:26; Colossians 3:4; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; I Thessalonians 5:2-3; II Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7-8; II Peter 3:3-7; Revelation 1:7-8
 
The Great Commission
We believe that Jesus Christ has the rightful authority over each person both now and for eternity and His plans will be fulfilled. Because of this, we are to witness to, teach and disciple all people to know the creator God of the universe, the savior of our souls Jesus Christ and the life changing power of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 46:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:1-4; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:6-8; Colossians 2:9-10; II Timothy 2:2
 
Inherent Value of Man
We believe that mankind is created in the image of God and human life is of great value and should be preserved, protected and defended from conception throughout the lifespan.
Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-5; Psalm 139:13-16; Proverbs 6:16-17; Matthew 10:29-31; John 3:16; Romans 8:31-32; Ephesians 1:4-5; Exodus 22:2-3; Nehemiah 4:8-9, 11-13; Esther 8:11; Luke 3:14; Acts 10:1-2; I Timothy 5:8
 
Creation of Man
We believe God created mankind as male and female. Equal and the same with regard to faith, value, spiritual strength and responsibility but distinct and uniquely set apart from one another with regard to gender. God’s design for each distinct and immutable gender is to be a more complete revelation of the image and nature of God.
Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 5:2; Psalm 100:3; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 49:5a; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18; Galatians 3:28; I John 3:1a
 
Marriage
We believe that marriage is a sacred relationship established by God and defined in the Scriptures. God intends this relationship to be lifelong, however, allowances are made for the dissolution of this relationship under particular circumstances.
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-9; I Corinthians 7:15
 
Morality
We believe that we are now citizens of God’s Kingdom, children of His Fatherhood and heirs of His promises. Therefore, He has called us to live according to the moral code of conduct that He gave us in the Scriptures. This includes both thought and action as it pertains to sexual purity, personal integrity, godly character, social responsibility and personal interactions. To disregard His moral standards for us is self-destructive and is a rejection of His Lordship and Fatherhood.
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 1:1-7; Matthew 5:16; Matthew 5:21-22a; Matthew 5:27-28; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-25; Philippians 2:14-16a; I Timothy 1:9-11; Hebrews 13:1-5a
 
Communion
We believe that the Lord’s Supper or Communion is the meal celebrating the New Covenant. It is a time to remember and embrace the power of the Gospel. To remember to daily embrace the person and work of Jesus Christ, to remember to celebrate our personal identity in Christ and our corporate identity together, to remember to receive afresh the power of His forgiveness and cleansing, and to remember the surety of the hope of Christ’s return, our resurrection and the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 26:17; Matthew 26: 26-29; Mark 14:22-25; John 6:48-58; I Corinthians 10:16-17; I Corinthians 11:23-26
 
The Local Church
We believe that the local church is God’s divine design. The local assembly is an expression of the living body of Christ. This fellowship of believers is a family where each member has been placed by God and plays a vital role for its health and growth. The local church is a light of Christ to the community. God has called each believer to actively participate in this divine design with godly attitudes and actions, investments of talents and gifts, and contributions of tithes and offerings.
Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 12:7; I Corinthians 12:12-14; I Corinthians 12:18; I Corinthians 12:27; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:11-17; Colossians 3:15-17; Hebrews 10:24-25; Malachi 3:7-10; I Timothy 6:18-19