About
Lighthouse is organised by a small steering group. At present main arrangements are handled by Peter Sammons (commissioning editor at Christian Publications International, and editor at Christian Comment online; and Martin Johnson – researcher and editor with teaching organisation Hesed Association. Ably supported by others as need requires.
You can contact us using the e-mail facility on this website.
People everywhere are interested in “the Jesus story”, for good and valid reasons.
Some find that “church”, with its heavy emphasis on tradition and clergy / laity divide, simply does not “gel” at all.
Lighthouse is not a ‘church’ but does aim to provide community and fellowship for anyone who wants to know more about Jesus, and would like to follow Him in an orderly and reverent way.
Lighthouse is linked to other UK groups that have similar ideals, and we encourage folk to join in with whatever works well for them personally.
Born in “lockdown” Lighthouse wants first and foremost to reach out to folk who have no church experience, but are genuinely intrigued by the central figure of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), and would like to know more. If you’re new, you’re specially welcome!
Cambridge, where we meet, is a world famous university city. In common with the rest of the UK Cambridge is growing fast. Accordingly, it may well be that newcomers to Cambridge are looking for a place where they can draw close to Jesus. If that’s you, then Lighthouse may be just the right place.
In addition, more and more people are showing a genuine interest in “the Hebraic dynamic” of the Jesus story, recognizing and honouring the fact that Jesus is first and foremost the Jewish Messiah. How does this speak to us today? What does that mean to folk who are not Jewish? Are we missing out on something vitally important? People are increasingly exploring this and we hope Lighthouse can .. …. cast some light!
Presently Peter Sammons is host and organizer for our meetings and you are welcome to call him (see contact details). For the first few years (starting 2022) we hope to build-up contacts both in virtual meetings and when possible, in shared live meetings.
We may arrange some “Bible Chats” via Zoom, so you might want to ask for a personal invitation to join one of these. See our “contact” section. If you have particular prayer requests, please send us via email or feel free to call.
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6: 37)
Who Are We?
Who We Are
- people who seek to follow Jesus as the light of the world
- people who take God’s Word seriously
What We Do
- we meet, generally monthly, to explore God’s Word – the Bible – and see how it applies today
- we try to be a family as Jesus taught us, and to enjoy and value each other’s company
- we try to grow into a family that better reflects our Saviour and our friend – Jesus – and become more mature as His followers
Why Lighthouse?
- a lighthouse warns of danger, and points to safety. So does the Bible. That’s why we explore God’s Word together.
A lighthouse is designed – and positioned – to signal danger as well as safe passage on the high seas. At Lighthouse we want to explore the Bible so it can show us the way to eternal safety as well as tell us where danger lies. A key aim of Lighthouse is to explore the living Word of God, the Bible. Psalm 119 verse 105 tells us “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.
The good news is ……
- as Jesus taught wherever He went – the good news is ‘the good news of The Kingdom’
- Jesus said we should be Kingdom seekers. At Lighthouse that’s what we try to be.
- See our L5 document for more on ‘the good news’
What, Where and How
We live in exciting, yet hugely challenging, times. Signs of Jesus’ return seem to be growing in intensity. Few serious Christians fail to recognize that unprecedented risks now embrace our world. Jesus spoke of end-time trouble (Matthew 24-25, Luke 21). How close or far we may be from the end time is not the essential question. The permanent question for all disciples of Jesus remains today as it has always been, are we prepared for trouble and can we resist our spiritual enemy whilst also boldly proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom?
Part of this preparation is fellowship with other believers. Part is to become foundationally conversant with the Bible. Part is to recognize we are ‘One New Man’ in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 14).
What?
We live in exciting, yet hugely challenging, times. Signs of Jesus’ return seem to be growing in intensity. Few serious Christians fail to recognize that unprecedented risks now embrace our world. Jesus spoke of end-time trouble (Matthew 24-25, Luke 21). How close or far we may be from the end time is not the essential question. The permanent question for all disciples of Jesus remains today as it has always been, are we prepared for trouble and can we resist our spiritual enemy whilst also boldly proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom?
Part of this preparation is fellowship with other believers. Part is to become foundationally conversant with the Bible. Part is to recognize we are ‘One New Man’ in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 14).
When?
Ten evening meetings p.a., excludes December and August as holiday seasons. Usually first Tuesday each month, but please check the latest programme. Meetings last approximately 2 hours.
Possibly one annual Saturday event, AM and PM, probably in late May. Again, please check the latest programme.
How?
It is assumed we will most often use ‘local’ speakers, but there is real blessing associated with inviting speakers who operate on a wider canvass, so these will also feature.
Meetings at Queen Edith’s Chapel, Cambridge, generally starting 7.30PM sharp and ending at 9.00PM. Doors to open at 7.15 for coffee and chat.
There will be no charge for meetings but we hope that folk will provide a freewill offering of £5.00 to cover expenses (venue and coffee + biscuits). Note that Lighthouse will often be able to provide ‘free’ books and booklets aligned to topics so folk will hopefully appreciate ‘value for money’ in addition to spiritual blessing.
Note: freewill offering is not obligatory. No one should be excluded on the basis of cost.
Who?
Cambridge is a ‘university’ city so it is hoped that a younger cohort will feel comfortable (and of course blessed) to commit to attending.
Lighthouse will probably tackle subjects less likely to receive focus in ‘lectionary’ type teaching progammes. On this basis attendees may feel that Lighthouse meetings are ‘value-add’ to whatever other fellowship, and teaching, they may be receiving.
A typical meeting follows this pattern:
- coffee/tea/biscuits
- welcome
- prayer
- song
- introduce speaker
- speaker presentation (45-60 minutes)
- Q&A (10-15 minutes)
- blessing/depart
There may in addition be an opportunity for prayer ministry either before and/or after the main session, though we note our need to vacate premises at 9.00PM. Again we shall be guided by the Spirit on this.
Children – it is not anticipated that children will find our programme or approach easy to understand and so we would not expect children to
attend. However if parents wish to bring children, especially >17 years, then that is fine but children will remain the responsibility of their parent and/or guardian in loco parentis.
Theological Standpoint
No one should feel excluded on the basis of theology. Lighthouse does not presently have a defined ‘basis of faith’ but we consider that most folk attending regularly would feel comfortable with the Evangelical Alliance basis of faith, as a starting point. Beyond that the leadership would define their eschatological position as being broadly ‘pre-millennial’ and insights into ‘election’ as being best defined by the modern term ‘Enlargement Theology’ (see Rev Alex Jacob in this regard).
Hosting Venue
Lighthouse are guests of Queen Edith’s Chapel [QE ] and seek to operate within whatever site-use instructions that QE issue from time to time, especially as regards safeguarding, security and neighbourliness.
We thank QE for use of their premises.
Vision and Mission
Light signifies God’s presence and favour ( Psalm 27:1 ; Isa 9:2 ; 2 Cor 4:6 ) in contrast to God’s judgment ( Amos 5:18 ). Throughout the Old Testament light is regularly associated with God and His Word, with salvation, with goodness, with truth, with life.
Our Vision
To be a people ready and eager to meet our eternal King when He returns.
Our Mission
- To faithfully follow our Lord and Saviour Who describes Himself as – the light of the world (John 8:12)
- To bear witness to the faithfulness of God (Genesis 1: 3)
- To share the good things that God does through Jesus His Son (John 3: 21)
- To help others respond to Jesus’ simple call …… “follow Me” (Matthew 4:19)
- To bring light through the gospel and through teaching (John 8:12)
- To be light bearers (Matthew 5: 14-16)
Why a Lighthouse?
A lighthouse helps mariners stay safe by avoiding hidden rocks and reefs. At Lighthouse we want to help people to grow strong in the God who loves (John 3:16) and Who saves (Psalm 68:20, Romans 10:13, and Hebrews 7:25).
For some Lighthouse will point a way into The Kingdom – the good news, after all, is the good news of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14). For others Lighthouse will help consolidate their knowledge of Jesus and their desire to know Him better and better (Luke 17: 5-6, Colossians 2:7).
For others Lighthouse reminds of the reality of the risk of crashing into the rocks of rebellion, and encourages all to build upon the rock that is life eternal (Matthew 7: 24-27).
Lastly Lighthouse reminds all that we should ‘stay away from’ those things that might destroy:
2 Timothy 2:21-23: run away from evil thoughts. Stay close to things that help us want to do right
Romans 6:23: Sin pays its wage with death, but eternal life is offered in union with Christ
Peter 2:11: Abstain from sinful desires
1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee immorality
In summary, at Lighthouse we want to share vitally important things from God’s Word in a way that is timely, meaningful, and relevant. Our friends can better ‘invest’ in the Bible, trusting it as relevant, timely, and a key ‘shaper’ of our lives as disciples of Jesus.