The Lighthouse Church began on the first Sunday in May 2007. It was the vision of the newly appointed vicar Revd. Rob Grinsell and Bishop Graham Cray to establish a Church which would reach the newly expanding and developing area of Hawkinge, and would be relevant and dynamic for the community it served.
In the beginning, the service was simply ‘St. Luke’s Family Service’, in which every weekly service was aimed at being all-age to attract children and young families. Later it became apparent that the church needed its own identity. After 6 months, Bishop Graham came and commissioned us as a new Church and after that the Church was given its name – The Lighthouse Church, Hawkinge A light to the world.
Within the first few months KidzQuest and Fusion were launched and they offer a significant bible based ministry to Children. KidzQuest is our Kids Church on a Sunday which along with Fusion, an after School Club, aim to reach children and families with the Gospel.
On Easter Sunday 2008, The Church celebrated its first full immersion adult baptisms with 4 candidates and enjoyed a time of great celebration. The Baptisms were carried out in the centre itself using a purpose made portable baptism pool.
Having applied for a grant from the Church of England, in September 2008, the Lighthouse Church was able to appoint two Family Ministers, Nicole and Richard Adams, working on a job share arrangement for 5 years. In addition to the family ministers’ post, experienced and committed Christians began to attend the Church, greatly strengthening The Lighthouse Church’s stability and ability to offer ministry across a range of areas.
The Lighthouse Church is a Fresh Expression Church and is part of the Church of England and is based in St. Luke’s Church on the Canterbury Road in Hawkinge.