The Lighthouse Mission News

2012-01-27T09:39:00.000-05:00

A woman who was exiting a food store after shopping for groceries heard Pastor Jim preaching (using a loud speaker) at the other side of the parking lot where a hundred fifty people were waiting on line for food at a daily Lighthouse Mission street outreach. She walked over to hear the message & to see what was going on. She was so moved by what she heard & saw that she put her all of groceries down to give to those in need & gave her heart to Jesus. How AMZING is this story?

2012-01-26T13:15:00.005-05:00

Very excited about this afternoons "Aspire" mentoring program at the Lighthouse Mission. Can you sit with a child at the Missions HQ to help them have a snack, play a simple game, help them read or with homework? No advanced degree required :-) just a desire to help a child & put a smile on the face of Jesus.. Interested? Give us a buzz at 631-758-7584 -- we have 21 children needing mentors... What an opportunity to be the hands of Jesus.

2012-01-26T13:14:00.001-05:00

We are very happy to report that God had provided (through some of you) for a brand new bed & other necessities for the young boy who had no place to sleep. Lighthouse missionaries delivered & set up the bed as well as provide the family with much needed groceries. Best of all we prayed & shared the gospel of Jesus with them. Please keep them in your prayers as we continue to minister to this poor family. God bless you all for your help & prayers... Can't wait to see what Gods going to do next :-)

2012-01-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

Here is the "OFFICIAL" Lighthouse Mission yearly charts of how many people in suffolk county were blessed with food & what towns in 2011 as well as how many were helped at each outreach location.... I know its heart breaking that so many are in need of food, cloths & other assistance but the wonderful news is that every need had been met & they ALL get to hear the good news of Jesus!

2012-01-26T13:12:00.000-05:00

A social worker from a local school called us today for help. A little boy walked to school today wearing the only pair of sneakers he owned with a big hole in the side. He stuffed paper into the hole to keep his foot dry. His feet were soaking wet & his mom explained it was all they had. The Lighthouse quickly provided him with a new pair of sneakers & socks. Thank you Jesus for our monthly financial partners without them we could not do things like this on a daily basis.

2012-01-24T10:31:00.000-05:00

God has been sending so many children to our free (everything is always free) Thursday afternoon mentoring program "Aspire" that we had nearly 30 kids & their mentors. A snack, games, homework/schoolwork & best of all learning about Jesus. We have another 21 kids on deck- please consider being a mentor to a child for 2 hrs a week? God bless you!

2012-01-24T10:29:00.003-05:00

It's cold out but people still need food & need to hear the good news of Jesus - hundreds of local-hungry families are counting on the lighthouse for food today. We need your help. Can you help collect food for us? Or can you come help hand it out? Or even better- how about both? God bless you.

2012-01-24T10:28:00.001-05:00

While many of us are blessed to shop for fresh food in a warm store many elderly & disabled people wait on long lines in the cold in hope of receiving a few bags of groceries. Would you please pray & ask God to help the Lighthouse Mission to buy food & put fuel in our trucks? Perhaps He will tell you to partner with us in getting & giving out food as well as the love of Jesus :-)

2012-01-18T14:55:00.001-05:00

Here is Pastor Jim & Enrique during an interview at the TBN studios in NYC - they were speaking about the growing need here on Long Island. On a funny side note, notice that Pastor Jim dressed up for the interview in his jeans & LHM t-shirt while the interviewer in a very nice pin striped suit - very funny contrast :-)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3021157777660

2012-01-18T14:51:00.002-05:00

At today's lighthouse mission street outreach a young single dad & his 3 small children were online for food in the cold. He came up to our team afterwards and asked for prayer to help him find a job. He's losing his home, car & can't find any work.. Please join us in prayer as we try and help this poor man & his family..

2012-01-18T14:50:00.000-05:00

Many people came out in the cold today to the Lighthouse Missions Coram & Ronkonkoma outreaches. Best of all we had a team of really gifted "Jesus freaks" that prayed with many people & gave out bibles as they waited on line for food. People certainly need the food for sure - however what they really need is JESUS. - Pastor Jim

2012-01-16T11:06:00.000-05:00

Sadly many of the people who stand on the lines for food each day at the daily lighthouse missions street outreaches are the elderly. Many have very little to eat & the lighthouse mission outreaches are literally keeping them sustained. Please keep the lighthouse in your prayers as we fight & pray each day to find food & get it to our hurting communities. God always provides us with our daily bread but we need your prayers.

2012-01-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

It was real cold at the Lighthouse Missions Riverhead street outreach today. Nearly 200 people lined up in the cold- many with small children & many elderly to get some food & to hear the word of God. Please pray that we will have enough food & resources to meet this rapidly growing need in our communities.

2012-01-16T11:02:00.003-05:00

The lighthouse missions free weekly "Aspire" mentoring program was off to a great start today with Pastor Mike playing fun games- then snacks, bible lesson- then home work help- after everyone went home with a set of new books.. - want to help? Contact us at the mission. God bless you.

2012-01-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of people line up today in the rain for lighthouse Mission's daily street outreaches- what's great is they all received food needed for their families but they ALL got to hear the Gospel of Jesus preached clearly.

2012-01-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

Lighthouse mission volunteers helping homeless children into our vans to take them back to the shelter. Moments earlier a person was shot - right where our vans drive. Please pray for these children & that the Lighthouse will be able to continue to shine into these dark places.

2012-01-16T10:55:00.000-05:00

Excited for today's free kids program "sparks" todays grades are k-4th Saturday 11-1:00pm at the lighthouse missions HQ. Lunch, crazy games, prizes & best of all learning about Jesus!

2012-01-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

There are so many people standing on line at today's street outreach in Riverhead that you can hardly see the lighthouse Mission's box truck in this photo. Please join us in prayer as we go out each day to share the Gospel of Jesus & feed the poor.

2012-01-16T10:31:00.001-05:00

We could really use a good graphic designer to help us with some print & digital media needs. Any recommendations?

2012-01-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

Excited about tonight's "ASPIRE" program at the Lighthouse Mission 3:30-5:30- Its a totally free program where children can come sit with their assigned mentor - have a snack, hear a bible lesson then receive help with reading, homework, school work, whatever totally free if charge. Here's the thing, we need more mentors. if your interested in helping please contact Pastor Mike at the mission at 631-758-7584. God bless you!

2012-01-16T10:28:00.004-05:00

An old homeless man told us after getting some food at a lighthouse mission daily street outreach that we literally saved his life. Apparently, we blessed him with a new blanket, gloves, hat and a coat that someone donated to us & he said that the person that was sleeping near him the other night in the woods nearly froze to death while he was kept warm by out donations. So we shared Jesus with him & he invited Christ into his life! - Thank you to all who helps collect food, hats & gloves through the winter!

2012-01-16T10:26:00.001-05:00

We were so excited to be able to supply several local schools with brand NEW warm coats, hats & gloves for children that have been standing at the bus stop without anything warm to wear. One of the school workers said to Pastor Jim "I can't believe these coats & hats are new. I expected them to be old & used" Pastor Jim replied "When Jesus gives us the opportunity to serve Him we will always offer Him our best no matter what it is".

2012-01-16T10:24:00.001-05:00

Blessed to be able to give away hats & gloves to our struggling neighbors at lighthouse mission street outreaches. In this photo lighthouse volunteers minister to people waiting on line for food. They offer them gloves & hats and pray with many looking for hope- a hope that is only found in Jesus!

2012-01-16T10:18:00.000-05:00

Another tid-bit that will never make the news: A few weeks ago a Long Island newspaper surprised pastor Jim with many nominations for him to be presented with a fancy "man of the year" award. Pastor declined the award while asking if Jesus could be nominated instead because He is the real reason Pastor Jim does what he does for the poor. Sadly, they declined both "silly" Pastor Jim & Jesus :-)

2012-01-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

Why not start off your new year by listening to Pastor Jim preach this Sunday at Grace church on Edgewood ave in Smithtown - Sunday 9:00am & 10:45am. Who ever said church has to be boring?

2012-01-16T09:58:00.001-05:00

The other day a news reporter asked me " Now that record amounts of people are attending daily lighthouse mission street outreaches for food and clothing & since the lighthouse works entirally on donations unlike the other large food banks who work with government grants, aren't you worried you won't meet the growing need?" My answer was simple & sadly you won't hear this on the news "The Lighthouse missions does not worry nor are we scared because we put our faith in the Lord to provide & He has never lets us down. If I were the other guys who trust in grants, the government, etc... I'd worry too!" - Pastor Jim

2012-01-16T09:56:00.002-05:00

Anyone interested in an English/Spanish CHRISTmas eve service? Tonight 6:30-8:00pm at the Lighthouse Missions HQ. kids choir, piñata, tamales, toys for the children & pastor Jim is preaching! This should be interesting :-) ...... Merry CHRISTmas!

2012-01-16T09:55:00.002-05:00

News12 came out yesterday to watch the gospel of Jesus in action with some of the Lighthouse Mission team. What a blessing for the Lighthouse to be able to be the hands of Jesus to more then 3000 people each week on long island. Thank you to all who support our work. Merry CHRISTmas!

2012-01-16T09:54:00.001-05:00

Here is a CHRISTmas blast from the past: In this 2005 photo we were about to start our CHRISTmas program and Sister Elaine ( The original founder of the LHM & dear friend of Pastor Jim ) was giving volunteers instructions on what to expect.. Those days we helped hundreds of children with CHRISTmas toys- these days we are in the thousands... Look how God has used the simple faith of a single person. She started with 10 sandwiches now the mission is feeding more then 3000 people each week! - Praise the Lord!

2012-01-16T09:52:00.002-05:00

This time of year the lines of people waiting for food gets longer & longer. Hundreds of people each day attend our daily street outreaches hoping for a bag of much needed groceries. Often many of them come to me for prayer. At times I am overwhelmed as they surround me, some crying, others asking me to pray for their sick children, some simply desperate to know Jesus...So many of our neighbors are hurting. Please pray for these people & for the Lighthouse staff as they work tirelessly each day for virtually no pay to share the gospel of Jesus & feed the poor. God bless you. - pastor Jim

2012-01-16T09:48:00.001-05:00

Only days before Lighthouse was scheduled to give toys away to families in need at Kramer street school. We did not have enough- days later God came through & we more then met every need. Please pray that the Lighthouse Mission will be able to sponsor more schools next year!

2012-01-16T09:42:00.001-05:00

Many wonderful teachers & volunteers made hard work easy (volunteer meeting photo). Many families were blessed this CHRISTmas. Thank you Jesus!

2012-01-16T09:39:00.002-05:00

Lighthouse mission volunteers quickly sorting thousands of toys, getting ready for Lighthouse Missions huge CHRISTmas program. Thank you Jesus!

2012-01-16T09:36:00.000-05:00

Hundreds & Hundreds of families are registered to receive toys at the Lighthouse Missions CHRISTmas program on Wednesday- I'm excited to say that we don't have enough toys to offer! - Why am I excited? Because when God comes through with all the toys these children need - HE will get all of the glory, honor & praise!

2012-01-16T09:31:00.005-05:00

During the Lighthouse Missions weekly "Sparks" program this cute little girl was so happy when Pastor Jim handed her this little stocking full of bible coloring books, crayons, etc. She hugged him & sat in his lap to pray.. Thank you so much to all of you who make it possible through your donations to reach 3000+ people each month with food & the love of Jesus.

2012-01-16T09:29:00.001-05:00

Having a wonderful time celebrating Jesus birthday with the Lighthouse Mission's free weekly youth program "IGNITE". Its a safe place for kids to come: get help with their homework, have a snack, have crazy fun but best of all- get to meet Jesus!

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY!

2011-12-21T08:55:00.000-05:00

Worked late here at the Lighthouse Mission last night - HQ loading trucks with toys for TODAY's CHRISTmas program. We are excited to have adopted an entire elementary school this year! What a Tremendous Blessing and OPPORTUNITY to work with the Local School...HOW MANY CHURCHES have that opportunity? Pray with us that we have more opportunities to reach into the lives of these families and to be an active participant showing the school adminstration, teachers and social workers that JESUS is the reason for the season, not just in words, but in DEED!

Opportunity for Giving

2011-12-20T13:28:00.002-05:00

Hundreds & Hundreds of families are registered to receive toys at the Lighthouse Missions CHRISTmas program on Wednesday- Im excited to say that we don't have enough toys to offer! - why am I excited? because when God comes through with all the toys these children need - HE will get all of the glory, honor & praise!

Sweet Treasures of Christmas

2011-12-20T13:23:00.002-05:00

During the Lighthouse Missions weekly "Sparks" program this cute little girl was so happy when Pastor Jim handed her this little stocking full of bible coloring books, crayons, etc. she hugged him & sat in his lap to pray.. Thank you so much to all of you who make it possible through your donations to reach so 3000+ people each month with food & the love of Jesus.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

2011-12-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Having a wonderful time celebrating Jesus birthday with the Lighthouse Missions free weekly youth program "IGNITE". Its a safe place for kids to come: get help with their homework, have a snack, have crazy fun but best of all- get to meet Jesus!

Celebrate the New Born King!

2011-12-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

Gearing up for a Christmas Pagent for the Kid's club

Getting ready for the Lighthouse Missions Kids Clubs first CHRISTmas pageant (in the pantry) - thank you Jesus! —

It's a birthday party for Jesus at the Lighthouse Missions weekly "Sparks" program.. For many of these kids - it's the only meal they will have for the day.

Bitter sweet

2011-12-06T15:27:00.001-05:00

One of my happiest but also saddest times during my week is when I pull up to the homeless shelters to pick up children to go to the Lighthouse Missions youth programs. The children are literally jumping up & down with joy. When I pull up they all run over to me and give me a hug, many under-dressed, even some in little ones in wheel chairs make their way over to me for a hug - thank you to those who support the mission & make it possible for us to share the gospel of Jesus & feed the poor children of Long island. - Pastor Jim

Christ-a-must

2011-12-01T15:26:00.000-05:00

During our Kids Club craft time a little 4yr old wrote what she wanted for CHRISTmas - her home ... they currently live in a shelter. If anyone wants to help us collect toys this year - we NEED all of the help we can get... God bless you!

Thanksgiving over?

2011-11-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving may be over over but people still need food and most importantly Jesus. Today our outreach trucks will be in Lake Ronk. & Coram - everyone is very welcome to come & join us as we share the gospel of Jesus & feed the poor.

Thanksgiving Meal - Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-24T15:31:00.000-05:00

Faithful Lighthouse Mission volunteers showing the love of Jesus to others with a delicious hot meal.

God is Awesome!

2011-11-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

God came through again! More then 500 complete thanksgiving meals served today at the lighthouse street outreaches! I can't wait to see what God is going to do next :-) how cute is this little girl who came with her mom for food? God bless them.

Coats and Cozy

2011-11-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

These little girls were so happy to find coats to wear at a lighthouse mission street outreach while their mom waited on line for food. Sadly, they have been without any heat in their home for weeks. Pastor Jim really wants to help this family get a little oil. Mom works real hard but struggles to pay the bills. Will you please join us in prayer as we look for a way to get a little oil for this little family? God bless you.

Youth program in full swing!

2011-11-01T15:35:00.000-04:00

Lighthouse missions tuesday youth program "Fuel" is off the hook! (3:15-5:15/ tuesdays) More — with Michael Caiazzo and Leonard Ormond.

New bed for a beauty!

2011-10-28T15:36:00.000-04:00

Blessed to have been able to deliver 4 beds to children sleeping on the floor. They were so excited especially this little 3yr old. I will post a small video soon. Thank you to everyone who helped buy these beds. Before we left the home we prayed with the family, shared the gospel of Jesus with them & helped connect them with a local church - Thank you Jesus! —

Water needed to give to people waiting on line n the sun for food.

2011-06-28T21:54:00.003-04:00

While handing out food during a Lighthouse Mission street outreach our team was giving out cold bottles of water to the people standing on line in the sun.

This is a major blessing especially to the elderly... one elderly person was standing in the heat holding onto their walker with his air canister tucked under his arm..

I checked our supply of bottled water & we are really-rerally low going into the summer.

Can anyone help or have any ideas / advise about how to get a few skids of water? ..

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice" - proverbs 12:14 -- God Bless You!

-- Pastor Jim

Excited children find cloths in pile while parents wait in line for food

2011-06-28T21:34:00.004-04:00

It breaks my heart watching children (right here on Long Island) get excited about a pile of used cloths that we put out during the Lighthouse Missions daily street / food outreaches while their parents are on line for food is a humbling sight.

An excited little girl finds a coat in the pile of used cloths..

One of my favorite things to do at the street outreaches is to sit on the ground and blow bubbles & draw with chalk with the children as I tell them bible stories about Jesus..

- Pastor Jim

6.5 yr old comes to Mission with wrong sized cloths

2011-06-28T21:19:00.003-04:00

We have all seen photos of children in foreign countries who are hungry, wearing torn or ripped- sadly, this is a common sight for our team at the Lighthouse Mission (btw: we are located right here on Long Island)

This little poor little guy who came to the Lighthouse Missions "Kids Club" (6.5 yrs old) wearing pants that were at least 4 sizes to large for him, a shirt 2 sizes too small & his little sandals were way undersized for him & each from a different pair. You should have seen his face when we gave him lunch!

unfortunately, this sort of thing is normal at the mission but it never stops breaking my heart (YES, this is happening right here on Long Island)...

What an honor to be the hands of Jesus to these little ones.

Please pray for our ministry that we will be able to continue to share the Gospel of Jesus & feed the poor.

God Bless you

Pastor Jim

Will RIverhead "kick out" the Lighthouse Mission?

2011-06-01T21:35:00.005-04:00

Sadly Riverhead wants to "give the Lighthouse Mission the boot" (see latest attached article link) The sad thing is that there are so many people in need (800+ people a month got food from that single outreach in the month of March alone!) The people whom attend are mostly elderly people & woman with their children (see attached photo & video of people waiting on-line)

What have we done wrong? What have these people done wrong?

Please pray for us because Riverhead wants to make us move .. (2 Chron. 20:15 is the scripture we are leaning on)

God Bless you!

lighthouse Mission wall mural almost done!

2011-05-30T22:12:00.002-04:00

The amazing mural being donated & painted by a popular local artist Cheryl Richards on the wall at the Lighthouse Missions HQ (Mission Control) is almost complete. What a blessing!

Thank You Jesus for sending us Cheryl!

I cant wait to see what God is going to do next!

- Pastor Jim

Truck equipment fails & skid falls .. bummer

2011-05-30T22:05:00.003-04:00

Here is why Lighthouse Mission needs your monthly financial support: so we can acquire things like quality warehouse facilities equipment that would enable us to safely & efficiently move food donations (unlike photo: unloading equipment failed. No one was hurt) a much needed refrigerator truck to safely pick up food, passenger van to pick up homeless kids to attend the Kids Club, etc.

Please pray for more monthly financial partners. God bless you!

Scraps of paper become wonderful puppets with God

2011-05-30T21:56:00.003-04:00

Here at the Lighthouse Mission we don't have a lot of fancy things to offer the poor children who come to our free weekly "Kids Club" - they just want to experience the love of Jesus. With God, even a tarp full of small bits of colored paper & scraps can become a wonderful puppet! -

Thank you Jesus!

People stand in the rain,cold,heat & even ice storms for food.

2011-05-30T21:31:00.003-04:00

Many people have been attending the Lighthouse Mission daily street outreaches for food are willing to stand in the rain, cold, heat- even ice & snow storms! (this day was raining).. It is truly a "fish & loaves thing" that we are able to meet the 2800+ people each week that come to the Lighthouse Mission street outreaches for food.

The best part is that they ALL get to hear & see the Gospel of Jesus!

Please pray for these people & our Lighthouse Mission staff & voluteers.

- Pastor JIm

(video) Pastor Jim almost gets hosed down by 5yr. old! :-)

2011-05-30T21:15:00.007-04:00

The children at the Lighthouse Missions "Kids Club" were blessed with a visit from the fire dept.They were taught about the danger of fire. The children also got to spray a fire hose! Moments after Pastor Jim took this photo he was almost hosed down from his head to his toes by this little guy holding the fire hose!! PAstor Jim almost received another Baptism! ;-)

What a blessing to be able to work with these poor children. Having fun at the Lighthouse Mission for many is the best part of their week. Please pray for these children as many live in extreme poverty.

God Bless you - Pastor Jim

Homeless Children jump with joy when Pastor Jim arrives in the bus

2011-05-30T21:12:00.001-04:00

When I pull up the Lighthouse Mission van to the homeless shelters on Saturday to pick up the children for our free weekly "Kids Club" I am greeted by a crowd of excited little children who run over to hug me & tell me that they missed me....

I am a blessed man -- Pastor Jim

Warmer weather brings out MORE people for food

2011-05-30T21:07:00.002-04:00

With the warmer weather more people are able to attend the street outreaches to hear the Gospel of Jesus & for food (they can walk further in the warmer weather). Moms carrying their babies with smaller children following behind, elderly people using their walkers to help them along, etc. Please consider collecting pantry food for the Lighthouse Mission. We could sure use the help. If you cant collect food- could you please pray for us? God bless you!

I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!

- Pastor Jim

(video) "Kids Club" blessed with visit from Katies Puppets

2011-05-30T20:40:00.009-04:00

95+ under-privilaged children at the Lighthouse Missions free weekly "kids club" were blessed with a free show from Katie's puppets. Ages 4-12yrs. Laughed & laughed.. Its such a blessing to watch the children laugh as they did. For many life is crazy and laughing is sadly in short supply for them... They made crafts, played games, had pizza for lunch & were blessed with wonderful new toys & bags of candy.

Thank you Jesus for allowing us to be Your hands to these little ones.

- Pastor Jim

Pastor Jim answers Newspaper Clergy Question

2011-05-30T20:22:00.003-04:00

Pastor Jim lovses to answer "clergy questions": The weekly question was :"What makes a person good? How about a righteous one? "

Check out Pastor Jims answer in this past weeks Newsday (Long Island Newspaper) CLICK HERE FOR LINK.. The best part of this opportunity to answer these questions is that Pastor Jim will always find a way using Gods Word (the Bible) to answer the question clearly & to share the Gospel of Jesus!

Spring 2011 Newsletter has been mailed - its not to late!

2011-05-30T20:02:00.005-04:00

We are excited to report that the new Lighthouse Missions latest newsletter was mailed out today! If

you are not on our mailing list & would like to view it online click on the link here. It is packed with many photos & short stories / reports. Its one of the largest & most creative designs we have ever released. In addition, if you would like to get our newsletter mailed directly to your home please send us an e-mail & we WILL put you onto our mailing list.

God Bless you! - Pastor Jim

2011-04-27T09:37:00.004-04:00

We are very excited to have our first ESL teachers meeting (English as a second language) at the Lighthouse Missions HQ. This class will be THE ONLY FREE ESL class in Suffolk & Nassau. It will teach Spanish, Urdu & Turkish speaking people how to read & write the English language using Gods Holy Word.. The Bible! Our goal is to share the love & Gospel of Jesus in a very practical way.

If you would be interested in helping us minister the love of Jesus to these two cultures please contact us. You do not need to speak the languages to help. We need people to:

1st & most importantly- pray for us & the attendees.

2. Help with some of the expenses of supplies.

3. teach a class or assist the teacher who is teaching the class.

Pray for us as we continue to prepare for this very unique class.

- God bless you

I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!!

Pastor Jim....

astor Jim & Enrique dress up as Jesus & the Easter Bunny & teach the children that Easter has nothing to so with a bunny but EVERYTHING about Jesus!

2011-04-23T22:34:00.005-04:00

Pastor Jim & Enrique dress up as Jesus & the Easter Bunny & teach the children at the Weekly Lighthouse Missions "Kids Club" that Easter has nothing to so with a giant bunny but EVERYTHING to do with Jesus! You should have seen their faces- After the lesson everyone was blessed with a wonderful lunch, baskets of candy, crafts and toys. Most importantly, everyone of the children got to hear the Gospel of Jesus. What a wonderful Easter.

Thank you Jesus!

Who ever said that ministry is boring?

- Pastor Jim

ighthouse Mission is now nationally endorsed by NASCAR!

2011-04-23T22:32:00.001-04:00

Lighthouse Mission is now nationally endorsed by NASCAR!

Tommy Baldwin racing team (www.TommyBaldwinRacing.com)

has officially adopted the Lighthouse Mission as their preferred ministry. Their car number 36 has our logo on both sides of the car. It has recently raced in the Daytona 500! Please pray for TBR racing & that many will come to JESUS through our new Partnership.

Lighthouse teaching kids that police are their friends NOT enemy

2011-04-23T22:17:00.003-04:00

It was great to have SCPD come to the "kids club" again. Pastor Jim wants to teach the children that the police are their friends Not enemy. Sadly many of these little ones are taught differently. We have already seen a difference in the children towards the police. When the police stop over to say hello to the children during the "kids club" the kids are excited & not scared to see them.

There are many people in the community "talking" about doing something about some of the gang, drug & violence issues happening in North Bellport & the surrounding community. The Lighthouse Mission is focused on "doing something" that will impact the lives of the children. Sharing the love of Jesus and building relationships with the community. One of the ways is to teach the children that the police are their friends. Not by just speaking with them during our program but instead- rolling up their sleeves and helping hand out lunch, make crafts and simply be their friend... What a wonderful blessing it has been.

Thank you Jesus!

- Pastor Jim

Lighthouse Missions "Kids Club" have a visit from the south country ambulance team

2011-04-23T21:56:00.006-04:00

The children at the Lighthouse Missions "kids club" were blessed today with a visit from the south country ambulance team. This was a huge deal for these little guys. We are excited to continue to teach these little ones that the police, fire dept, etc. are out friends- NOT enemies. Sadly many have rode in a police or ambulance far too many times.

These guys were wonderful & highly trained, skilled & we are blessed to have them in our community.

Please continue to pray for these little ones.

Thank you Jesus

God Bless you - Pastor Jim

Daily Bible study at the Lighthouse Mission HQ every day

2011-04-23T21:41:00.004-04:00

Blessed to listen to Pastor Enrique as he taught today's daily 1/2 hr. Bible study at the Lighthouse Mission HQ (aka Mission Control). Everyone & anyone is welcome to attend each day at 9:30am-10:00am before we go to the street outreaches. Pastor Jim, Mike, Enrique & other gifted local pastors & ministers all teach each day (. Come for coffee & be blessed with the Word of God.

God Bless you.

* Photos: Pastor mike-lighthouse mission, Evangelist Rich Diaz, Pastor Enrique, Pastor Rich-Grace church/ Smithtown, Pastor Paul/ Nesconset Church, & others.

Pastor jim + bull horn + truck of food = preaching the Gospel

2011-04-23T21:38:00.001-04:00

What happens if you give Pastor Jim a bull horn, a truck full of food & a crowd of people. Answer: a Lighthouse Mission street outreach where hundreds of people receive food & best of all get to hear the amazing - good news news of salvation in Jesus.

What does 107 under-privilaged kids eating lunch at the Lighthouse look like?

2011-04-23T21:24:00.005-04:00

Here is a quick video of 107 under-privilaged children (many living in homeless shelters) that God has sent to the Lighthouse Missions free, weekly Saturday "kids club" at the Lighthouse Mission HQ. Sadly, for many this is their ONLY meal they will have for the day.

If you are able- would you consider helping with this program? Perhaps providing for the lunch, crafts, toys, funds or even your time. God bless you...

Please pray for these children. - Pastor JIm

Lighthouse Missions Free after school program

2011-04-23T21:18:00.002-04:00

Excited to see the Lighthouse Missions Free after school program "Illuminate" making a difference in the lives of children in the community - homework help, snacks, games, crafts & of course learning about Jesus! .. Most kids in the troubled neighborhood surrounding the mission is struggling with gangs & drugs & the kids have no safe place to go. Please consider helping the mission become a safe & fun place for them to go..

God bless you! - Pastor JIm

happy child finds stale cookies..

2011-04-23T21:12:00.002-04:00

This little girl (who is homeless with her family) was so happy to be on the food line with her mom because she saw that the lighthouse Mission was giving out cookies today. (unfortunately they are usually stale- but she does not seem to mind at all) She told me that they have very little to eat at home & really need food & she thanks Jesus for "her" LIghthouse Mission - how cute is that?

- God bless you -- Pastor Jim

ook at all the 107 children God sends us each week at the "kid club"

2011-04-23T21:04:00.003-04:00

I am so amazed at our Awesome God.. Does God still perform miracles? Is a common question pastors receive. Watch this video & look at all the 107 children God sends us each week. Watch Him feed more then 2600 people through the Lighthouse missions 10 street outreaches, not mentioning all of the other programs happening every day that are completely free of cost (btw the Lighthouse is not a church & therefore does not receive weekly offerings).. After considering all of that in the economic mess we are all living in- do you still think God is NOT in the miracle business? Well He sure is !

- God bless you... Pastor Jim

A pregnant woman stands on line for food

2011-04-23T20:50:00.001-04:00

A pregnant woman stands on line for food at a lighthouse Mission street outreach while her husband is out looking for work. After receiving food she asked me to pray for her baby & that she would not loose her home.. The news says that the economy is getting better? It sure doesn't look that way from our point of view. Donations down of food & money - while more then 2600 people each coming to our outreaches for food EACH week!

God bless you -- pastor Jim

A little boy helps his disabled grandmother collect food

2011-04-23T20:47:00.002-04:00

A little boy helps his disabled grandmother collect food at a Lighthouse Mission weekly food outreach. He asked me if I had any crackers. Unfortunately we have been VERY low on food and funds & therefore did not have any to give. He told me he wanted them for his mothers birthday because she works very hard cleaning houses & he dissent see her very much...

Please pray for them.. God Bless you - Pastor JIm

A dad finds cloths for his children

2011-04-23T20:45:00.001-04:00

During the daily street outreaches the Lighthouse mission also gives out gently used cloths. Here a very happy dad found coats, hats & even a car seat for his two small children.. I prayed with him to find a job and he thanked Jesus.. What a blessing to be able to share the love of Jesus

God bless you - Pastor JIm

Central Islip Street outreach - so many in need

2011-04-23T20:34:00.003-04:00

Here is a quick video of the lighthouse Mission street outreach in Central Islip - In addition to giving away food in the name of Jesus we also offer gently used & new cloths to people in need. Someone donating cloths last week said that she gives the Lighthouse Mission all of her families old & "ratty" cloths for us to give to the poor. So I asked her: "Does Jesus teach us to open up our closet or kitchen pantry & pull out our worst items to give to the poor?>>or<< are we to offer Him our best?"...

- Pastor Jim

Riverhead wants the Lighthouse to stop giving out food ... again.

2011-04-23T20:16:00.006-04:00

Once again the town of Riverhead wants to give the Lighthouse Mission the "boot" (see latest attached article link- its actually a really good article about Gods Lighthouse Mission) The sad thing is that there are so many people in need (1986 people every month get food at that single outreach!) Its mostly elderly people & woman with their children. Not just men (see photos & videos attached).

In addition, please do not write harsh letters or make angry telephone calls to the Supervisor of Riverheads office - I am confident that he is doing all that he can & is under a lot of preasure. Instead, lets pray for him & his team and offer our help in any way that we can. Lets encourage them in the Lord. Lets pray that God will open an even better location in Riverhead to serve the poor.

(2 Chron. 20:15 is the scripture we are leaning on)

God Bless you my friends, you are all in my prayers. - Pastor Jim

Weekly street outreaches up 35%

2011-03-05T21:45:00.005-05:00

Hello friends, I am sad and happy to report that there thousands more people attending Lighthouse Mission daily street outreaches now then this time last year. In fact, we are up a total of 35%. People have been waiting in the freezing cold & on long lines with their children in hope of receiving a few bags of food for their families. I thank the Lord that He has been sending so many people to our street outreaches & that He has been some how providing the food necessary for us to meet the ever growing need. But more importantly, He has been sending the thousands & thousands of people to us each week because we have been faithful it providing the people with the true bread of life- that bread is Jesus.

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”- John 6:35.

It’s not uncommon for our mobile food pantry trucks to arrive at an outreach location (we now have 10 that cover more then 740 sq.. miles each week) and discover 200 more people waiting on line then we had expected! Thats when things get interesting because we could not have had enough food loaded onto the truck for that many more people and yet everyone that afternoon seems to be able to go home with several bags of food.. How is it possible? (here is some bible home work for you- check out John 6:1-14 in your bible for the answer)

The only answer that I could provide you with is that it is a real miracle. I understand that many of you may find this statement hard to believe. All I can say to you is if you don’t believe me- come and see for yourself. You are always welcome to meet us at any of our street outreaches and help hand out food & cloths to the needy. I can gurantee you a few things. 1. you will do work- loading or unloading trucks & handing out food 2. you will hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus preached, 3. you may be moved to compassion & possibly remove your own coat & gloves to drape it over a shivering child & her mother as they wait in line for food...

Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner with the Lighthouse Mission. Your donation will go right to work- right here on Long island sharing the gospel & feeding the poor.

Jesus teaches us in Luke 10:2 “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."...

Man, I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next!

God Bless you.

- Pastor Jim Ryan

Gods creative & Innovative blessing..

2011-03-05T20:04:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone, I wanted to share a quick update of an amazing & very creative blessing God has just provided to us. We have been praying for a way to protect the food that we put out on the streets during our daily street outreaches (which is now 10 locations). Normally, when we know it is going to rain or is raining we pray over & with the people who come for food then we hand out the food from the back of our box trucks. However, when it rains without warning, all of the food that our volunteers carefully set up gets wet & sometimes ruined. Sadly the people whom come to receive the food have to take home soggy cheerios & dripping pasta. Not any longer! Through the wonderful generosity our friends at Nesconset Christian Church we now have very creative & innovative awnings installed onto the sides of our mobile food pantry box trucks! The LIghthouse Mission is not only evangelical & the largest mobile food pantry on Long Island but we are now the first mobile food pantry to implement an awning system like this in the country!

In the event of severe sun or rain the food, volunteers and people will be nicely protected.

Thank you Jesus for an amazing blessing... I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!!!!

God Bless you.

- Pastor Jim Ryan

New van for "kids Club"

2011-03-05T19:20:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone, many of you have been praying for the Lighthouse Mission to be able to buy a pair of new vans so that we could pick up the children who live in homeless shelters who are not able to attend the Lighthouse Missions "Kids Club".

As you might imagine a new van will cost well over twenty two thousand dollars. With the economy still on a nose dive our donations- (you know the only means of funding for the Lighthouse Mission- please consider being a monthly supporter... pretty please) has taken a dip. All of this translates into a lot of laughing at me (Pastor Jim) when I am asked what the Lighthouse Mission could really use and I answer “a new van to pick up children form homeless shelters”. Sadly, those laughing people must have forgotten whom I work for, its the same amazing person who provides us with enough food to feed 2600+ people each week, or funds to fuel our trucks, or perhaps even the new buildings He gave him- yeah I'm talking about GOD!

Sunday afternoon I received a telephone call from a close friend & supporter of the mission who simply asked” what are you planning to do about picking up the children who have no way to get the the Missions “kids Club” program?” I replied” I have no idea, but I know God will provide some way, He has never let me down”. “ I went to the Ford dealer with my wife and found a wonderful new passenger van that would work perfectly. I want you to go there and take a look at it.” the supporter said. “I don’t have enough money to even fill the gas tank” Pastor Jim explained. The supporter said “don’t worry about that, I have already taken care of it. If you like it-it’s yours!”. Moments later (after I picked myself up off of the floor), I got onto my knees and thanked God once again for His amazing provision for His lighthouse Mission.

Two days later we had an amazing new van completely paid for. It can seat 12 children & even has a CD player! - How else would you expect God to want us to drive his precious little children to His “Kids Club” to learn about His amazing son Jesus?

We are planning to immediately use the van to pick up all of the children who have to sit in a shelter all day because their families have no way to get them to the mission.

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says “with man this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!!!

God Bless you..

Pastor Jim Ryan

9 Degrees & the lines are longer then ever!

2011-01-26T10:38:00.003-05:00

Each day the Lighthouse Mission goes out onto the streets to share the saving Gospel of Jesus & to feed the poor. We go in the heat, rain & cold.

However, this winter has been colder then usual. One might think that the extreme cold would keep people from traveling to the lighthouse Mission street outreach & stand on line waiting to receive a few bags of food- that is not the case. In fact, HUNDREDS of people stood on line for food & coats in the 9 degree cold (many children, elderly & disabled).. I saw a poor man who was wearing only sweater that had a 12" rip in the side - I was standing 20 feet away from him and was able to see his body shivering.

I walked over to him & asked where his coat was. He explained that he gave it to his wife to wear- they have no heat in their home. I looked into his bag & noticed he had a coat for a small child tucked inside. He told me that he one of the Lighthouse Mission volunteers offered him the coat because he had a young daughter at home who also did not have a good coat to wear. So I asked him why he did not get a coat for himself. He said that he did not want to be greedy & take more then one coat. I walked with him to the pile of coats and was able to find a pair of gloves, a thick winter hat and a wool coat. As I helped him put the coat onto his body he was shaking so much that I could hardly get the coat onto the poor man.

He hugged me & told me that he was a Muslim & that his family had no food or decent winter cloths to wear & not one of his fellow Muslims would help them. However, the "Jesus People" (he called us) at Lighthouse Mission would help... what an honor to be the hands of Jesus to this poor man.

News 12 also showed up to see how people were handling the cold: click here to see the News12 video link.

- God Bless you, Pastor Jim

(posted on face-book)

"Kids Club" weekly prayer requests

2011-01-26T10:02:00.004-05:00

Each week at the Lighthouse Missions FREE "kids club" program the children have an opportunity to write their prayer requests in their weekly prayer book. We would ask that you would consider praying & supporting (perhaps sponsoring a lunch, toys, prayer, etc.) these children.

Without us mentioning our kid's names here are a few of the children's prayer requests..

(posted on lighthouse missions face-book)

- that God will help us to be good and to follow Him.
- loves her mommy - pray for her mom this week
- healing for foot, for it to grow and be healthy
- pray for her brother Jose
- for her neighbor who is having surgery
- for his brothers and sister
- for his sister ----- who needs balance with the time she spends on the computer
- for his fish, Jonah, who isn't eating
- for her Aunt, because her daughter died
- for her Uncle, because his son died
= that he and Christopher would become good friends
= for her friend who has leukemia
- that when she gets old she will find a job, and that mommy and daddy will get a job

- God Bless you... Pastor Jim

Frozen Hands

2011-01-26T09:55:00.002-05:00

It was really cold outside during the Lighthouse street outreaches. Yet hundreds of struggling Long Islanders stood on line to get a few bags of food. Some asked for prayer while they were waiting. An old woman gave me her hand to pray for her- her hands were so-so cold. Sadly, she ownes only one glove.. Thank the Lord that because some people had donated some hats & Gloves we were able to bless her with a new pair of gloves & a hat.. Thank you Jesus! (posted on from face-book)

God Bless you - Pastor Jim

CHRISTmas eve at a Lighthouse Mission street outreach

2010-12-30T14:10:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I am sorry for not writing a blog in a while.

Things here at the mission are amazingly busy & I have very little time to write long blogs (to be completely transparent with you- I'd rather be on the street sharing the gospel & feeding the poor rather then blogging about it)...

However, I do plan to do short informational bursts with photos on a more frequent basis for those of you who don't follow the mission on Facebook. Although, I do encourage you to follow us on Facebook because we keep it updated with daily posts & photos.

Last week at the lighthouse Missions street outreach location (1 of 10) in Patchogue (CHRISTmas eve) it was really cold. I'm talking about 29 degrees, the was blowing hard, snow was falling and a little more then 100 people stood on a long line waiting to receive a few bags of food to take home to their families for CHRISTmas.

Lighthouse Mission volunteer outreach teams try their hardest to make the line go as quickly and efficiently as possible so that people don't have to wait for long on the freezing cold line. I (Pastor jim) do my best to keep everyone in good spirits while they are waiting. I pray for their needs, give them bibles, hand out small stuffed animals to the small children waiting with their families, Give out hats & glovesetc.

This day a news reporter showed up to find out why so many people were attending the street outreach on CHRISTmas eve & interviewed a little 7yr. old girl (who attends our weekly "Kids CLub" here at the Lighthouse Mission). The reporter asked her what she would like for CHRISTmas? she answered "a home" Click here for link to news12 video

Jesus said -- "don't stop the little children from coming to me because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those such as these"

It's times like this when God allows us to see His heart for the poor through the poor. Especially in the prayers of children. Did you hear what that little girl was praying for? a home.

in the Gospel of (Matthew 25:40) Jesus tells us that when whenever we do something for someone else who is less fortunate than we are- in His name we are really doing it for Him. What a blessing & honor it is to be able to be the hands & feet of Jesus to little children like this.

If you would like to join us on an outreach or financially support us as we share the gospel & feed the poor give us a call and we will get you plugged in here at the lighthouse Mission..

God Bless you.

Pastor jim Ryan

www.news12.com/articleFacebook?articleId=269591

Back-to-School with Jesus! - supplies needed

2010-08-11T23:09:00.008-04:00

Each morning I take a few minutes to walk around the Lighthouse Mission campus. I walk the property looking over & inspecting our grounds and buildings. I am looking for the usual stuff you might find on your church grounds -You know what I mean: bullet casings, crack vials, heroin needles, graffiti, broken glass, bloody knives, drunks and even machine gun bullet holes.

The media always says, “It’s unfortunate, but for many of the people who live in North Bellport violence, gangs & poverty is simply a normal part of their lives….” Anyone who knows me knows that I am the kind of Pastor that is not afraid of dirty hands and certainly not guns or knives pointed at me (I lean on my Fathers promise in Isaiah 54:17) I will NOT simply lean comfortably against my church pulpit and stand aside as the enemy rips apart the communities around us". I serve a mighty God who has empowered the Lighthouse Mission to push back against the enemy with everything we have & when he begins to stumble (and he will) push even harder. When the enemy strikes with hunger: we send our trucks into that community every week and bring food, prayer & the mighty word of God to more then 2800 people each week. When the enemy sends despair, abuse and sadness into our underprivileged children- Lighthouse responds with a dynamic children’s program every Saturday for over a hundred children. Demonstrating & teaching the love of Jesus through creative bible lessons, lunch, games & crafts. When the enemy tried to run every business in North Bellport out of town leaving only boarded up & abandoned buildings everywhere. Our God tells us to respond by renovating one of the worst buildings in the community into a beautiful new head quarters for our ministry.

Most recently the enemy has made it very difficult for people all over Long Island to provide for their families. While parents struggle simply to pay the most basic of bills buying school supplies is next to impossible. God wants the Lighthouse Mission to respond by helping to provide over a thousand children this year with school supplies through our program. However & most importantly they and their parents get to hear about the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Not only do they get to hear the good news but have it demonstrated to them in us meeting this need.

As you might imagine with the economy what it is our donations are down this year. If you are able to buy a few extra items this year when you go school shopping for your children it would mean a great deal to a child who may have never heard about the love of Jesus. If your family is in need- please contact our office so we can help you.

Click here for supplies list & Flyer

God Bless you .. “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next!!”

Respectfully,

Pastor Jim

Lighthouse Mission's Homeless and underprivileged children ministry

2010-05-11T13:15:00.024-04:00

I am very happy to report that the
Lighthouse Mission's kids club (our ministry to homeless and underprivileged children) has been a huge success. (Click here to check out the kids club photo s)

Under the amazing direction of my wife Andrea and by the grace of our Heavenly Father the Lighthouse Mission has been blessed to be able to minister to more then 90+ children each week. We have designed this program to minister to children from ages 4-11 years old (however these little guys have been known to slip on the bus even younger).

Sadly, most of the children we pick up with a bus live in local homeless shelters and very challenged areas. Gangs, violence, drugs and abuse are a very real part of their lives. It breaks my heart to see these little children "hardened" because of all that they have been subjected to. Thats is why the Lighthouse Missions Kids Club is so important to these children. Most will never be able to go to a church & the Kids Club will be the only opportunity to meet Jesus - I take that responsibility VERY seriously.

A few weeks ago my wife & I adopted a wonderful dog from the Brookhaven animal shelter for our children (If you are thinking about getting a dog- be sure to check this place out first-you will be blessed). Any-who, while in prayer God revealed to me that my new dog now has a safe place to live while the children in the Lighthouse Mission's Kids Club does not. Your dog has it's own little spot in your house it likes to sleep- the little children have no stability in their lives and have no idea where they will be sleeping each night. Your dog has nutritious dog food to eat- for many of the children they get only one unhealthy meal each day to eat. You don't abuse or beat your new dog- yet the little children you minister are. This revelation broke my heart. Therefore we do all that we can to make this Saturday morning program the highlight of their week.

Although we have very little money to buy crafts, food and supplies needed for the children we make use of all that we have. A wonderful local church (Integrity Christian Fellowship) that is pastored by my close Friend Dr. Tony Balsamo is generously lending us the use of their facility and school bus each Saturday from 10:00am-1:00pm until June 5th while the Lighthouse Missions buildings are being renovated.

The moment the children climb off the bus they are shown the love of Jesus with 20-25 Lighthouse Mission volunteers clapping, cheering and blowing bubbles for them as they enter the facility (sorry, the bubbles are my thing). Soon after they are engaged with a high impact bible lesson, music, skits, puppet show etc. that teaches them that poverty, drugs, violence are not a lifestyle - we teach them about the love of Jesus. Then we offer them the opportunity to make a craft that reflects the bible lesson they just learned. Games and a whole bunch of fun follow the craft. When it's time for lunch we try to provide a nutritious & fun meal for the children. This can be difficult for the lighthouse mission as we have to purchase enough food for 100 children ready to eat. Remember that the Lighthouse Mission is NOT a church that can project what their weekly offing will be. We operate entirely on donations. That means some weeks we receive a funds from faithful donors and other weeks nothing. It is not uncommon for the Pastor of the mission to consider going without a paycheck in order to continue the operations of the ministry. For many of the children it is the ONLY meal they will receive for the entire day. It's hard to imagine that 110,000 children go to be hungry each night right here on long Island (reported in the 2010 LI Harvest/LI Cares study). After the children have lunch we give them the opportunity to choose a toy from our prize table. This is a BIG deal for these little guys- many of the children are moved around from shelter to shelter so often that they have to leave their toys behind many times. So to receive a "new" (most are used donated toys) brings a wonderful smile to their face.

By the end of the program the children are all smiling and hugging the volunteers good bye. Some of the children are crying because they don't want to leave while some of the volunteers are in tears as well. Because they know that this may be the last time they will ever see these children as they are moved around so often.

For most of the people whom come to volunteer at the LIghthouse Missions Kids club program or our street outreaches it is a life changing event. Most think that poverty is something that happens in a far away country... they quickly learn that it is just a few miles from their home.

If you are interested in getting plugged into our Kids Club program or any other outreach opportunity just give us a call e-mail and we'll be happy to get you connected showing the love of jesus in a practical way.

God Bless you..

Pastor Jim

"Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." -- Jesus

7% of Suffolk County's population receives food from lighthouse Mission!

2010-03-03T14:37:00.006-05:00

Official Press Release:

Food Pantry Feeding 7% of Suffolk’s Population Says Funding Cut Won’t Sting

Bellport, NY: March 2, 2010—While food pantries across Suffolk County brace themselves to lose more than $1 million in federal anti-poverty assistance, one organization plans to take the loss in stride. Light- house Mission, Long Island’s first and largest mobile food pantry, documented this month that de- spite lack of funding it is now feeding 7% of Suffolk County’s population*—up to 3,200 people a week.

While the funding cut will hurt providers that donate food to Lighthouse, the 18-year-old nonprofit says it will not affect their daily operations. “News of this funding cut came out as we’re preparing to move into our new warehouse, which we built in order to store 100% more food than ever before. Other food pantries may see this cut as a “setback” but we’ll use it as a ‘push forward’,” said Mission President Pastor Jim Ryan.

Every week the Mission’s mobile team gives out food to people in need in these Suffolk locations: Amityville, Bellport, Central Islip, Coram, Mastic, Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Wyandanch, and Yaphank. The out- reaches take place outside in all kinds of weather where people wait on line to receive a bag of food.

“Some news reports say the economy is recovering, but that’s not what we see. Every day of the week the numbers of people we serve at our outreaches are growing,” said Ryan. “People are sometimes standing in a foot of snow or in 20-degree temps for an hour just to get a bag of food from our truck.”

The Mission, which does not get the federal anti-poverty funding, receives all its food by donation. “We rely on God to provide the food day by day,” said Ryan, adding that the Mission is feeding more than 100,000 people a year in Suffolk. “Our nonprofit operates independently, so we’re not a tax burden to Suffolk residents, and yet we are feeding 7% of the people who live here—roughly equal to last year’s unemployment rate in Suf- folk,” Ryan said.

Many of the unemployed adults coming to the food outreaches are single parents who can barely afford to feed their children. So on Saturdays the Mission’s outreach is a free Kids’ Club where close to 100 children eat a free hot lunch donated by area businesses. “For some kids, this is the only square meal they’ll get all weekend,” Ryan said.

Most of the children come from the Bellport homeless shelter HELP Suffolk. “Local police, fire department and other community groups volunteer in the program to help us teach the kids about safety, healthy choices and character-building skills. The most important thing is we want them to learn that God loves them and has good plans for them—that poverty doesn’t have to be a way of life.”

Lighthouse Mission, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, has been feeding the hungry and sharing the love of God with people in need on the streets of Long Island since 1992. The Mission is funded by compassionate people, businesses, churches and community groups who donate both food and money.

*Population number based on U.S. Census 2000 adjusted with a 4% increase reported in 2008.

Economy is getting better ... yeah right

2010-02-25T20:55:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone,

I have been reading & watching the news over the past six months and have carefully listened to the broadcasters report on how the economy is "turning around" - "on the up swing" - "rapidly improving"… I have to make a comment not as the President or Pastor of the Lighthouse Mission but as a guy who stands behind a table with a bunch of volunteers each week to help hand out food to people in need that I have never seen so many people in need. Sadly, the need is going up each week at an alarming rate.

Pastor Enrique (the Lighthouse Mission’s Outreach Director) just completed the Lighthouse Missions end of year calculations of how many people God is feeding through the Lighthouse Mission. After reviewing the report I was shocked to learn how many people need help. A little over 7% of the total population of Suffolk County receives help through the Lighthouse Mission! Think about that for a moment. It is certainly sad to think that (as seen in the photo I took above at one of our outreaches) young mothers tightly clutching their new born babies praying they won’t slip or elderly people leaning on their walkers struggling to stand would walk down dangerous snow covered roadways fighting to get to a Lighthouse Mission outreach location. Then, when they do finally arrive they have to stand in deep snow while they wait in line for food. Well, here is the good news (the good news is ALWAYS Jesus- got ch’), somehow God has been expanding the food we do get and fills every need. They other good news is that every person who comes to an outreach to receive food gets hear & SEE the love of Jesus. It’s amazing to think that God can use a small ministry like the Lighthouse Mission to make such large impact in Suffolk county.

I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next.

Bless you,

Pastor Jim

God keeps on Blessing & blessing & blessing....

2010-02-12T16:27:00.009-05:00

Working here at the Lighthouse Mission is amazing for so many reasons.

I have been in ministry leadership for many years as a pastor of several churches and now the largest food distributor to the needy on Long Island, NY. However, I have never seen God at work like I have seen here at the mission. I am blessed to witness miracles on a daily basis. I see so many miracles you would think that I would get used to them- I have to tell you that I am blown away by Gods miracles every time I am blessed to witness one. For example, just today I was reviewing everything that we are going to need for the "Kids Club" my wife Andrea leads for the mission each Saturday. As you well know the mission does not have any money. In fact, what little money people do donate to us goes directly to put fuel in our trucks, buy food, etc. so we don't have much left over to buy supplies for the children's ministry. Today I discovered that we needed drinks for the children- we have a lunch for each of them but no drinks. Where will I find a drink for 100+ children within a day? God heard my prayer and in an hour a van pulled up from a local school and explained that since there was no school next week they had no use for the 100+ containers of milk... do we need it? If you ever get a chance to read a book about George Muller who was an amazing pastor / evangelist you will see that this is the kind of things God does on a regular basis for those who seek Him for all things

( http://www.biblebelievers.com/george_muller/index.html)

Soon after, I noticed that we are ready to start painting the new building so where was I going to find the $900+ dollars for the paint & materials needed to paint the room. Soon after a local paint supply company dropped of enough paint & supplies to paint the entire facility, another miracle.

Soon after, another school dropped off hundreds of Valentine stuffed decorated shoeboxes to give to the children of the “Kids Club”. These are packed with candies & goodies! The children are going to freak out when they get them.

Why does God provide in a way that is so specific for the Lighthouse Mission? The answer, I believe is pretty simple: Because much like the poor people in the world that have no means of getting food for their family they completely lean on the Lord for all that they need (much like the sparrow Jesus speaks about) and God simply provides for them- some how, some way God provides. The Lighthouse Mission trusts and completely relies on the Lord (lets face it- Its His ministry, why wouldn't He provide for it?).

He has NEVER let me down. Thank you JESUS!!

Pastor Jim arrested for giving out food & sharing Jesus?

2010-02-04T19:40:00.007-05:00

I just received an e-mail from a person who was upset when the police showed up a few months ago to arrest me for handing out food & sharing Jesus with 130+ needy people on the street of a local Long Island village. She was upset that I was not arrested (I have a lot of fans).

You see, after losing our facility in Patchogue after 17 years hundreds of people had no way of receiving food from the Lighthouse Mission as they desperately counted on. So I asked my heavenly Father for direction. Then I started a new street outreach to assist the people left behind. After months of successfully operating the outreach & feeding hundreds of people someone contacted the local Mayors office to complain that we did not have "Official Permission" to hand out food within the village limits. Soon after I received an "Official Telephone Call" suggesting that if I showed up at the outreach location the following week to hand out food that the police would arrest me on site. "Why would you arrest me for helping the poor I asked" they simply repeated "if you come back you WILL be arrested.” How cool is that I thought? so of course I showed up next week with my box truck filled with food to a parking lot filled with 100+ people waiting for us to arrive as usual. We set up the food, people got in line & I shared the Gospel of Jesus with them. As I was preaching 2 police Constables arrived and waited in their cars and motioned in my direction. I waved and motioned back to them that I would be done in a moment. They waited near their cars. When I finished sharing Gods word I explained to the people that I was now going to be arrested. For some reason this seemed to anger the 100+ people calmly waiting for their food J (sometimes I can be a wise guy if you haven’t noticed). I had to (firmly but lovingly) remind them that Jesus would NOT flip over the police cars that came to arrest the Pastor who was feeding them (thank you Jesus they listened). However, they did escort me over to the police cars. By the way, you really know who your friends are when they show up to get arrested with you in the name of Jesus. The officers nervously asked me if I was Pastor Jim? I smiled and shook my head and held out my hands to receive the cuffs (I thought this would make a great photo for my resume J) and they said that they were not going to arrest me (bummer). They came to make sure the crowd was orderly and we were not making a mess of the parking lot. Soon after they left. A week later we received “Official Permission” in the mail to use the parking lot for 1 hour per week to feed to local residents in need. The parking lot has never been so clean. Thank you Jesus

I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next!!

- God be with you, Pastor Jim

New evening outreach location in Yaphank!

2010-02-04T16:34:00.011-05:00

I am very excited to tell you that the Lighthouse Mission now has a new EVENING outreach!

You might be asking yourself the question "whats the big deal?" hasn't the Lighthouse Mission has been feeding & sharing Jesus with more then 3200 Long Islanders at multiple locations each week for over 18 years?, so what makes this outreach so special?"

Well, many people who come to our street outreaches are homeless, unemployed, elderly, single parents or underemployed. The under employed or also known as the "working poor" are simply people who have a job (sometimes more then one) but are earning at or below the minimum wage. Anyone who lives on Long Island will tell you that unless you have a rich uncle who pays all of your bills- minimum wage can't even come close to paying even the most modest of monthly bills. Therefore, many need help finding food for their families and the Lighthouse is honored & blessed to be able to meet that need each week. Some working people are blessed to be able to take their hour lunch break & work close enough to an outreach location can meet the Lighthouse Outreach team to get food. However, those people who do not work within a reasonable distance from one of our 10 locations can not get any food. This has been a problem that has troubled me for many years. I have been praying for God to open a door to begin a new outreach at a location that could be easily reached and simple to find. Soon after, I received a call from one of my closest friends (Pastor Tony Balsamo founder of Integrity Christian Fellowship, 1 old dock road in Yaphank) who quickly & generously offered the use of his church parking lot for an evening food outreach (4:30-5:30 every Tuesday). Because of the heart of Pastor Tony & his staff to "serve the least of these...matt 25:40) The lighthouse Mission will be able to safely & efficiently be able to provide food to those families whom struggle each week fighting to get from paycheck to paycheck.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!

- God Bless you my friends, - Pastor Jim Ryan