History of The Gospel Lighthouse
Written by: Lynn Sparks
In Powderly, TX over 30 years ago, a lady, Elizabeth Bolyard, sent a prayer request to a radio evangelist in Campbell, California. The request was for a church to be built in her community. This request was combined with a dream given James and Lynn Sparks, living in Campbell at the time, to build a church. This was the beginning of a work for the Lord.
The call of God brought the Sparks family to Powderly with a vision of pastoring a church. This began with a neighboorhood Bible Study in their home. The idea of a church grew in the hearts of those attending.
In 1976, a small group of believers started holding services in the local Red Hill Church that was vacant at the time. God began to move in a wonderful way. Land was donated by Elizabeth and her husband, Ralph and a building fund was started. A year later, the congregation moved into a new building located on Highway 271 North. The building was dedicated to the "Glory of God and the winning of souls."
A sweet spirit seemed to hover over the congregation and a reputation of friendliness and love radiated toward all who came to worship. Under the Sparks leadership, the congregation was encouraged to share the gospel through giving and love. A strong foundation was formed as God continued to bless in marvelous ways. Many souls were saved and hearts and bodies healed.
A Fellowship Hall and cement parking lot were the next challenge. Both were accomplished with the Lord's guidance. The church actively supports missions, especially the Native American Indian program, Mexico missions and two local area works.
As in the natural process of time, Pastors James and Lynn began to think about retirement from the active ministry and began to seek the Lord for someone to carry on their work.
The lord sent a teenage girl, Faith Edwards, who began to grow in the nourishment of the Gospel Lighthouse, soon becoming the youth leader. God continued his plan, sending a young man, Chris Kelley, called of God....marriage was the result. Chris and Faith were elected to the responsibility of being Pastors in 2007.
The church continues with the same expansion vision it was birthed with and has completed construction of a Family Life Center and in the process of starting Excel Christian Academy.
In Powderly, TX over 30 years ago, a lady, Elizabeth Bolyard, sent a prayer request to a radio evangelist in Campbell, California. The request was for a church to be built in her community. This request was combined with a dream given James and Lynn Sparks, living in Campbell at the time, to build a church. This was the beginning of a work for the Lord.
The call of God brought the Sparks family to Powderly with a vision of pastoring a church. This began with a neighboorhood Bible Study in their home. The idea of a church grew in the hearts of those attending.
In 1976, a small group of believers started holding services in the local Red Hill Church that was vacant at the time. God began to move in a wonderful way. Land was donated by Elizabeth and her husband, Ralph and a building fund was started. A year later, the congregation moved into a new building located on Highway 271 North. The building was dedicated to the "Glory of God and the winning of souls."
A sweet spirit seemed to hover over the congregation and a reputation of friendliness and love radiated toward all who came to worship. Under the Sparks leadership, the congregation was encouraged to share the gospel through giving and love. A strong foundation was formed as God continued to bless in marvelous ways. Many souls were saved and hearts and bodies healed.
A Fellowship Hall and cement parking lot were the next challenge. Both were accomplished with the Lord's guidance. The church actively supports missions, especially the Native American Indian program, Mexico missions and two local area works.
As in the natural process of time, Pastors James and Lynn began to think about retirement from the active ministry and began to seek the Lord for someone to carry on their work.
The lord sent a teenage girl, Faith Edwards, who began to grow in the nourishment of the Gospel Lighthouse, soon becoming the youth leader. God continued his plan, sending a young man, Chris Kelley, called of God....marriage was the result. Chris and Faith were elected to the responsibility of being Pastors in 2007.
The church continues with the same expansion vision it was birthed with and has completed construction of a Family Life Center and in the process of starting Excel Christian Academy.