This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 21 May 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
It's hard to imagine an overtly Christian event in today's world that's so popular it's oversubscribed - with non-Christians literally queuing up to attend.
But that's exactly what's going on at ten children's holiday clubs attended by some 5,000 children across Buckinghamshire and beyond. Lighthouse began when three Christians from different churches in Great Missenden felt God calling them to work with children and young people.
They began a joint summer holiday event using tents on the village green.
Soon they had the problem of too many children attending and created a Lighthouse event in nearby Hazlemere. Two years later Lighthouses sprang up using the same model of offering a five-day children's programme at the start of the summer holidays in Princess Risborough and Burnham.
From there it has grown to where it is today.
Now there are 5,000 children attending and 3,000 leaders of all ages helping run Lighthouses in 10 different locations. Two years later Lighthouses sprang up using the same model of offering a five-day children's programme at the start of the summer holidays in Princess Risborough and Burnham.
From there it has grown to where it is today.
Now there are 5,000 children attending and 3,000 leaders of all ages helping run Lighthouses in 10 different locations. Charles Vernon, Chairman, says: "Lighthouse offers to kids' holiday clubs what Alpha offers to evangelism - proven success based on easy resources.
Lighthouse brings together everything local churches need to run their best ever non-residential holiday week for children.
This includes materials for drama, craft, sports, teaching, music and main stage as well as the experience to help a new Lighthouse. "There is also room for each Lighthouse to innovate.
For example, some offer special programmes for children with disabilities.
Lighthouse Cressex is in one of the most deprived areas in Bucks with a high concentration of minority ethnic groups.
Each year they give each child a gift such as a treasure box, a book or a shoe bag.
They see this as a way of helping children to take Lighthouse home for the whole year. "It is exciting to see an event for kids which is unashamedly Christian but has proved year after year to be oversubscribed as parents scramble to enrol their children," says former Chairman of Lighthouse High Wycombe, Kent Anderson. So what do the volunteers say about their experiences? Ollie Bennet, children's worker, says:"It's really fun.
You get to form relationships with the kids.
I think they enjoy Lighthouse because it's somewhere they are free and can meet with God.
The songs are fun, they get to play games.
There's something for everyone at Lighthouse. "Mary Peters, from the registration team, says: "There are so many jobs at Lighthouse that need to be done.
From cleaning the loos to registration, to first aid, to helping with craft.
There's a variety of jobs and everyone can be used. " Esther Tombs, from the music team says: "My favourite part of Lighthouse is seeing the kids smile as they come in and just the way that they sing and dance and give their everything. "Naomi Graham, special needs co-ordinator says: "I love the fact that Lighthouse is inclusive for special needs children and that they can come and join in the fun as much as anyone else. "Alex Hyde, from the craft team, says: "I like the craft.
It's like when they make something and they smile and you're like aw! My favourite part of Lighthouse is the achievement. "Dan Simpson, from the sports team adds:"It's like helping out the community, helping kids enjoy themselves, because you probably wanted that as a kid - to be helped out and have fun - so you should really give it back. "
Taking Lighthouse nationwide
"We have seen God working consistently through Lighthouse over many years and seen thousands of children, young people and adults changed," says Chairman of the new charity Lighthouse Central, Charles Vernon."We'd love to share what God has taught us so that you can see the fruit we have witnessed take place in your district, town or city as well. "Lighthouse Central has just been set up to share the success of existing Lighthouse events with churches in villages, towns and cities across the UK.
Lighthouse Central aims to help Christians everywhere shine Jesus' love into the lives of children and families in their communities. Lighthouse Central will provide all the materials and resources required to set up and successfully run a Lighthouse in your area.
But what would that entail?Each local Lighthouse is set up as a charity by a group of individuals from local churches and uses the materials from Lighthouse Central to develop and run their own event.
It is locally owned and run but centrally resourced through a web-based format.
Lighthouse resources are made available based on a once a year access fee for each Lighthouse and a per attendee fee. "We have a 10-year plan to reach over 50 areas by the establishment of over 200 new Lighthouses to reach between 50,000 and 100,000 kids," explains Charles Vernon.
"We look forward to seeing what God could do through Lighthouse in your community. "Lighthouse Central expects the first new Lighthouses to open their doors in July 2018 and are ready to talk to anybody who believes this could be a way forward for their area. Experience Lighthouse for yourself WHILE it is likely that spaces for children to attend Lighthouse are already filled, there are many ways for people to help at all 10 of this year's events in Beaconsfield, Burnham, Cressex, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Mansfield, Marlow, Missenden, Princes Risborough and Thame.
Most of these will take place Monday 24 July to Friday 28 July 2017. Volunteers of all ages are needed to work with children in small groups and assist children as they engage in activities such as drama, crafts and sports.
But people are also needed to do many other roles ranging from car parking to loo cleaning, from prayer ministry to welcoming parents, and from administration to security.
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