Lighthouse Church of Long Beach

God has so many expressions of mercy and grace. His tenderness expressed through His Body touches my soul in special places. Last Sunday, May 4, I visited the Lighthouse Church on Studebaker in Long Beach. My friend Jim Schorr leads worship there and it was so good to see him doing what he takes such delight in doing - his love for Jesus and his desire to worship Him is infectious...and I caught it. I have experienced Pastors Paul and Bonnie's gentle ways in other contexts but never during their Sunday Service - and their whole congregation has them. From the time I walked in the door until the time I left, the presence and sweetness of the Lord was a felt thing. I loved the way they ministered to each other in prayer without any show and there were no superstars of prayer ministry, just people loving on each other and praying over each other. Pastor Paul made his message about Elijah and the prophets of Baal come alive with his description of Mount Carmel (I've been there too) and he made it easily applicable to our daily lives.
This is the church that's heading up the WOW jam initiative again in our City. Last year over 1000 people gave their lives to Jesus. This year he's got already 44 churches and other organizations enrolled so it should be even more wonderful. There are two locations, Houghton Park on June 6 and at Poly High on June 7. There are so many ways to serve and get involved and the rewards will be FOREVER. There will be flyer handouts into the neighborhoods, prayer walking the sites, ways to give service, money, time, face painting and so many other exciting things. The time, energy, resource and prayer this couple has sown into this event both this year and last, the warfare they've encountered and the way they're walking through it is an illustration to all of us of what Jesus talked about when He asked us to serve and love one another by laying down our lives.
So I guess I'm inviting you to check out both the church and the event...Our Father has something to say to us through the Theimens.
A side note: my daughter Melody, is now 28 and Pastor Paul's father Bernie was my pastor at the time and dedicated her to the Lord. What a small world it is!