The Lighthouse News

By Linda Ray Center

I remember a time before Covid, when a tragic announcement on our cruise ship, the Viking Sun, blasted over the intercom. Passengers on Viking’s sister ship, the Viking Star was taking in forty-five degree water off the Norwegian coast. Their engine room had flooded, and they were air lifting passengers off the ship. As I prayed for the Viking Star passengers, my favorite scripture came to mind. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) His presence on vacation gave me a keen sense of His protection over the passengers and myself.

Through it all, I had no fear. God promises to be close to all who call on Him. His Word to me is better than travel insurance.
Many of us are making vacation plans again, but how many people will take God along too?

Vacations can serve as a spark plug with our communion with the Creator. Use this time to be restored and charged physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. Don’t miss the chance to see the works of His hands, claim His promises, and listen to His truths. Even though vacations can be a busier time than our daily routine, the Lord promises if we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him, no matter where we are. King David did. He sought and thirsted for the presence of God everywhere he went.

The Lord blesses our faithfulness when we encounter Him. Take part in what He has created for us. On vacation, start your day with a simple conversation with God. Thank you, Lord, for this time with family, friends, and your presence. Could you open my eyes to your beauty and wonder? May you be in the middle of everything I say and do. Don’t let me forget your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How do you impact God’s glory while visiting other places or on vacation?

By Staff Reporter

Since 1999, the founders of Christians United Ministries Inc. (CUMI), Don and Jan Hicks have helped to transform the lives of others through their Christ-centered ministry by providing prayer, life coaching, and counseling services. Don and Jan, along with a team of prayer ministers, counselors, and volunteers, offer various programs designed to reach out to and heal the emotionally and spiritually broken. Through the grace and will of God, the programs include a 12-week Crossing2Freedom class, available on several platforms, as well as weekend Freedom Conferences, individual counseling sessions, and other programs to promote inner healing. Jan’s book, Crossing2Freedom, A Healing Journey, promotes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual understanding and healing. Learning to recognize incorrect negative responses that keep us in bondage, along with discernment and application of the simple tools of repentance and forgiveness, will open our hearts to a life of “forgiving living” which will replace our “coping” mechanisms with a life of freedom. Through other programs such as Embrace, Authentic Manhood, and Grief Share, CUMI offers hope to those living in pain, doubt, or uncertainty. CUMI’s team aspires to see the lost saved, the broken healed, the spiritually destitute restored to the arms of the Father.

The heart of this ministry and one of the core beliefs is prayer. Nothing happens until we pray. Prayer is the key that unlocks the door to the throne room of God. Don and Jan’s desire is that every believer would draw into an intimate relationship with God, the Father.
CUMI is a believer-supported international ministry of prayer. #HeartsMatter – ChristiansUnitedMinistries.org – Christians United Ministries, Inc (CUMI) – 251.241.9899 General Office – 774.567.0771 Appointments

By Donna Marable

A bustling, inviting, happy atmosphere greets clients at the South Baldwin Literacy Council. What a pleasure it was to meet with Executive Director Mitchell Lee. This active, non-profit organization, nestled under beautiful old oak trees on Highway 98 just east of downtown Foley, Alabama, has offered a wide range of educational services and programming to residents of South Baldwin County since 1985. Their mission is to provide literacy instruction to help people in the community make a better life for themselves and their families. Mitchell is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a background in case management, youth mentoring, homelessness, and research and program evaluation.

Operating under a Board of Directors committed to meeting the learning needs in South Baldwin County, SBLC is an accredited member of ProLiteracy and is funded primarily by grants and donations. An ‘Adopt a Student’ program has just been added. Additionally, they host an annual Trivia Night fundraiser. Services are provided free-of-charge and are available for learners of all ages, languages and educational levels, including a ‘Step up to Pre K Readiness’ program and GED tutoring in both English and Spanish. The Council coordinates services with many other local organizations, currently providing computer classes, GED tutoring and ’Learn to Earn’ services for clients of Big Fish Ministries, GED tutoring for Mary’s Shelter, after-school tutoring in Daphne for the Ruff Wilson Youth Center and in Fairhope for the Rotary Youth Club. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Boys’ Ranch has also benefitted from on-site tutoring in reading and math. SBLC has also offered employment assistance, stress management, U.S. citizenship preparation, French classes and referrals to various service agencies for other needs. The website (www.southbaldwinliteracycouncil.com) provides an in-depth look into their programs and tells interesting client success stories.

Over 500 students were served last year and a world map adorns a classroom with push pins marking over 15 home countries of students. As I left the interview the grounds quickly filled with arriving vehicles of parents and grandparents/guardians delivering many students for classes. The vibe of the arriving students literally pulsated. As I toured the grounds I viewed a ‘Blessing Box’ and a ‘Free Library Box’ further demonstrating the Literacy Council’s spirit of cooperation and caring. The value of this gift of literacy offered by the staff and the Council’s many dedicated volunteers is immeasurable!

Mitchell Lee states: “South Baldwin Literacy Council is an incredible asset to our community. We are proud to provide 1 on 1 tutoring and a variety of classes for the betterment of all. If you have been thinking of giving back, I invite you to stop by and see one of the many ways you can make a positive impact.” 21441 US Hwy 98, Foley, Alabama, 36535, (251) 943-7323

*GED (General Educational Development) – a high school equivalency program recognized by 97% of employers and colleges nationwide.

Mansoor Pirzada is a Web and Graphic Designer with over 12 years’ experience in print, digital design and web development. He is from Daharki Sindh – Pakistan. His native language is Sindhi. He began learning about technology and computer programs at his family owned printing press business. He earned his Master’s in Business Administration and has taken courses to learn web and graphic design, while he was helping with his family business. In May of 2014, after graduation, he decided to have his own business by stepping into the world of freelancing. His efforts paid off and his business is growing steadily because of his professionalism, attention to detail and heart to serve the needs of people globally.

Esther Milne is part of The Lighthouse News writing team. She loves to write about such diverse topics as health, travel, culture and practical devotionals on how to live the Christian Life.

Originally from England, Esther lives in Foley, Alabama with her husband Jonathan of 20+ years, and Luna her faithful yellow Labrador. Last year Esther published her first devotional book ‘Solid Ground – A Devotional Journey‘, which is available on Amazon.

I am Donna Marable. Since becoming a member of The Lighthouse News team, I have had so much fun learning and bringing more awareness to the awe-inspiring service organizations available in the communities, the majority of which I had no idea even existed! Over the years, with diminishing demands of family and job, I continue to fulfill what I believe to be my purpose, which is to be an encourager. It is our Christian duty to always strive toward becoming more Christ-like. I cannot express in words the thrill of seeing a person’s face literally transform when shown kindness. By letting His light shine through us and onto others, hopefully they will feel His love and be uplifted and become good stewards of The Kingdom.

My name is Nancy Lee Kilpatrick. I have been involved with ministry for most of my life starting at the age of 16 with a pre-school class in my local church. I’m also a self-motivated student with a huge library of books.

In the past 15 years however, my focus has narrowed down to basically the history of our nation, and the deliberate, active undercover attempt of politicians determined to undermine our constitution, destroy our freedoms, and bring us, as a nation, under socialism. And along with all of this, the Church which is supposed to hold the standard high has allowed this group to do their undercover destruction of the only truly free nation in the world, without any opposition. This is a travesty and unacceptable.

As a considerably older generation, I am appalled to know that I might leave this kind of chaos in our nation for my children and grandchildren to have to deal with. For that reason, I am passionate about ‘Waking up” and motivating the Church into action, and doing what I can to restore our Beautiful, Grand & Free America back to what our Founding Fathers intended it to be.

Linda Ray Center is a Billy Graham chat coach, writer, a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and a certified Life Coach who helps retirees discover ways to find purpose and meaning in this exciting chapter of their life. Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. She tours the southern states as an inspirational communicator with an informal and friendly style, making it seem like you are sitting with an old friend.