“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”
~ Matthew 5:14-16, ESV
What is the Lighthouse Church Network?
Samaritan’s Purse’s commitment is to serve the Church. To this end, we have established a network of churches across Canada to support one another and serve their communities in Jesus’ Name.
Communities are increasingly aware of their need to be prepared for crisis. Your church, as an integral part of your community, has much to offer. With the support of other congregations across the country and decades of disaster relief experiences from the Samaritan’s Purse team of professionals and volunteers, you can continue to open doors to share the Gospel in word and deed—no matter the circumstances.
A crisis can happen anywhere. When it does, it’s a time for the Church to shine brightly for Christ. By joining the Lighthouse Church network, you connect your church with resources, tools, training, and support to respond and help:
• Building resilience through preparation before a crisis
• Partnering with Samaritan’s Purse Canada in times of disaster
• Accessing like-minded organizations and helping agencies that may already be in your community or are willing to send resources to assist in response and recovery
Benefits for Your Church
Crisis Preparedness
A disaster preparedness plan can mean the difference between a church crippled by crisis and a church poised to support its hurting community.
As a Lighthouse Church, you’ll receive support to:
• Conduct a risks and hazards assessment to help you prepare for the most likely crisis
• Complete a strengths and resources inventory to discover your church’s unique gifts for service
• Prepare a continuity plan so that your church can remain open in times of need
• Learn how to help other disaster-impacted congregations, even if your church hasn’t been affected
Community Resilience
A resilient community will cope better with a crisis and recover from it faster. Many communities focus on building resilience after a disaster, but it’s best to begin that process long before one hits—and your church can play a key role.
As a Lighthouse Church, you’ll receive support to:
• Network and coordinate with other local disaster preparedness groups
• Contribute to community resilience by fostering neighbor-to-neighbor connections
• Be equipped with tools and training to build community
Disaster Response
Immediately following a wildfire, tornado, flood, or other catastrophes, Samaritan’s Purse deploys specially equipped tractor-trailers called Disaster Relief Units, trained staff, and teams of volunteers to help communities clean up.
As a Lighthouse Church, you’ll have the opportunity to:
• Host our Disaster Relief Unit in your church parking lot, providing a home base for volunteers and other disaster responders
• Receive training from Samaritan’s Purse in crisis response skills, including spiritual first aid and site leadership
• Send out teams of volunteers to help neighbors or other impacted churches
Community Recovery
The road to recovery is a long and arduous journey. Your church can help restore a sense of community over time and is uniquely equipped to address the less visible emotional, spiritual, and financial effects of a disaster.
As a Lighthouse Church, you’ll have capacity to:
• Connect with municipal or provincial government bodies
• Join with other Lighthouse Churches to learn together
• Develop a vision for recovery, create a plan, and implement it
• Work alongside our specially trained case managers who provide long-term, in-community support after disasters are over
Empowered in Ministry
With resources, training, and support through the Lighthouse Church network, Summerside Community Church on Prince Edward Island has seen countless open doors to minister following a storm that tore through their community. Long after the initial clean-up, those opportunities have not stopped.
“The hurricane made me recognize our gaps in preparation for anything that is beyond the everyday,” said Tracy Linkletter, executive pastor at Summerside Community Church on Prince Edward Island. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck their small community.
In the aftermath, the church hosted a Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Unit—loaded with specialized equipment—that equipped their congregation and other volunteers to help their community recover.
Since then, Summerside Community Church has continued to be a part of the Samaritan’s Purse Lighthouse Church network. Through the network, they’ve strengthened bonds with other churches and their municipal government to build community resilience in preparation for another crisis.“I didn’t realize just how much we have to offer,” said Tracy. “It’s given the city a much clearer picture of the resources they have in local churches.”
“Being a Lighthouse Church has made me think about how we can prepare to be resilient not only physically, but also spiritually,” Tracy said, pointing people to hope in Christ, “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19, ESV).
Join Samaritan’s Purse as a Lighthouse Church
Send volunteers to serve with Samaritan’s Purse
Volunteers are invaluable! And they have a unique ability to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of disaster victims. When your church recruits a team of volunteers to help out, we coordinate all the logistics, provide the supplies, and have staff in place to lead the way.