Church Teams
Two of the ministries of Lighthouse are the Bible Institute and the Fellowship of Churches. Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples”. Through short-term mission trips, we can pour into our discipleship program training conferences, and by helping to build churches that also serve as community centers for our church body.
As we strive to partner with our local churches, short-term trips offer the benefit of focused training and relationship-building. We believe the friendships formed between our volunteers and church members helps the donors understand the Kenyan people and their challenges better. Conversely, our Kenyan churches understand the heart behind our donors, through their willingness to teach and help build alongside the local church leadership and members. We believe in working together, serving together and building long-lasting relationships.
Choose a Mission Opportunity
Build a Church, Teach a Conference (for Pastors or Pastor’s Wives), Youth Leadership Training
Fill out a volunteer inquiry form
Fill out an interest form and send it to our Coordinator of Volunteer Church Teams – Maggie Ghrist
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQ’s below!
Stay Involved with Lighthouse!
We’d love for you to remain a part of Lighthouse for Christ after your mission trip. Ask us about our Pastor’s Kid Sponsorship Program!
Choose a Mission Opportunity
Build a Church, Teach a Conference (for Pastors or Pastor’s Wives), Youth Leadership Training
Fill out a volunteer inquiry form
Fill out an interest form and send it to our Coordinator of Volunteer Church Teams – Maggie Ghrist
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQ’s below!
Stay Involved with Lighthouse!
We’d love for you to remain a part of Lighthouse for Christ after your mission trip. Ask us about our Pastor’s Kid Sponsorship Program!
Build a Church
Lighthouse is busy teaching and training new pastors, so we have many young churches in need of a shelter that is sturdier than the mud hut or tree where they are currently worshiping. We welcome building teams of around 5-8 members who can come for a week, spend 3 days at a build site and the rest of the time they can get to know the ministry of Lighthouse and the area of Mombasa. The teams provide the funds for each church shelter, which is about $5,500. It is a very exciting time to be able to help the church body build their shelter so the community can worship together on Sunday!
Hold A Conference
The Lighthouse for Christ now has over 80 established churches and preaching points. Pastor Conferences, Bible School Conferences, and Pastors’ Wives Conferences are trainings that are always needed. Visitors can also spend time pouring into and mentoring young Pastors.
Larger conferences typically run 3 days and smaller pastoral trainings can go up to a week.
Hold a Conference
The Lighthouse for Christ now has over 80 established churches and preaching points. Pastor Conferences, Bible School Conferences, and Pastors’ Wives Conferences are trainings that are always needed. Visitors can also spend time pouring into and mentoring young Pastors.
Larger conferences typically run 3 days and smaller pastoral trainings can go up to a week.
Youth Training
Another one of the groups we want to pour into with training is our youth leaders. Every year, they host a youth camp for around 300 kids from Lighthouse churches. Through training, we can reinforce Scriptural wisdom, teach new games, and deepen the bond between the leaders in our youth program and our supporting churches.
Church Teams FAQs
What are my first steps if I want to bring a team?
Fill out the inquiry form for Church teams. Our Coordinator of Volunteer Church Teams will get in touch with you to talk about specific opportunities that are needed, and times that are available. If you are interested in getting your church involved, talk to your missions pastor or get together a group of friends!
What is required to come build a church?
A group of 5-8 willing men and women can come build a church. No building experience is necessary, as you will be under the guidance of one of our missionaries and local pastors. Each building member can bring their toolbelt with basic tools- hammer, speed square, measuring tape, and pencils. We do have about 5 sets already at Lighthouse to lend. Each team will be asked to bring and donate one power tool or battery to keep our power tools updated for the building project.
What are the costs associated with a building project?
The church build itself costs $5,500. Due to the changing nature of location of the build site, our accommodation options vary, but plan to budget $100/person/night for your trip to cover personal accommodations, food and transportation within the country. This may vary depending on your exact trip. You will personally be responsible for your plane ticket, entry visa ($51 USD), immunizations and safari/additional fun purchases.
What is required to do a pastor’s conference?
A few times a year, we gather 150-200 area pastors for a conference. We typically teach from a book (which can be brought out by the volunteers to give on the last day to the attending pastors). While majority of the attending pastors are from non-denominational Lighthouse churches, the teaching needs to line up with our beliefs and values. We ask that at least one of the speakers is a seminary-trained pastor. We recommend 2-4 speakers share in the teaching. Specific content should be discussed with our mission team in Kenya. The schedule is usually a 3-day conference, beginning in the morning, breaking for tea time, and ending with a local lunch and time of fellowship.
What are the costs associated with a pastor’s conference?
The conference itself costs $2,000. The teaching team usually stays on the Lighthouse compound (which can accommodate up to 10 volunteers), and accommodations, and food costs are $50/day/person. This may vary depending on your exact trip. You will personally be responsible for your plane ticket, entry visa ($51 USD), immunizations and safari/additional fun purchases.
What is required to do a pastor’s wives conference?
Once a year, we gather pastor’s wives and other Lighthouse women in leadership for a conference. There are typically 100-120 women (and often several young children!) in attendance. We aim to bring them encouragement and basic Bible teaching to add to their knowledge and to give them tools to take back to their churches as they lead women’s groups. The topics can vary, but should be Biblically-based and not too “American” in culture. If based on Biblical principles, there are many topics which are helpful, including parenting, personal growth, discipleship and mentoring, identity in Christ, etc. 2-4 speakers are recommended. The schedule is usually a 3-day conference, beginning in the morning, breaking for tea time, and ending with a local lunch and time of fellowship.
What are the costs associated with a pastor’s wives conference?
The conference itself costs $2,000. The teaching team usually stays on the Lighthouse compound (which can accommodate up to 10 volunteers), and accommodation and food costs are $50/day/person. This may vary depending on your exact trip. You will personally be responsible for your plane ticket, entry visa ($51 USD), immunizations and safari/additional fun purchases.
What is required to do a Youth Leadership Conference?
Every year, our youth leadership puts on a camp for our Lighthouse youth, with 300 in attendance. This training is a conference for the LEADERS, to pour into their lives and knowledge of God, to help address and process issues that involve youth and the church today, and to teach them new games and fun ways to draw in our youth at our annual youth camp. Teams of 4-10 can come and lead a conference at a nearby facility, located right on the Indian Ocean! It’s a 3-day conference, working with 20-30 young adult youth leaders and pastors.
What are the costs associated with a Youth Leadership Conference?
The conference itself costs $4,000. Additional costs for accommodation and food on the non-conference days are $50/day/person. This may vary depending on your exact trip. You will personally be responsible for your plane ticket, entry visa ($51 USD), immunizations and safari/additional fun purchases.
Where can I get more travel information for my group?
Check out our Resources page for more information on immunizations, visas, safaris and more!
MAGGIE GHRIST
Hospitality and Teams Coordinator
MAGGIE GHRIST
Maggie Ghrist is the Hospitality and Teams Coordinator, and is serving in Kenya alongside her husband, Josh Ghrist, Mission Director of Lighthouse for Christ. Please contact her if you are interested in finding out more about church team volunteer opportunities.