Picture this: a small group huddled over plates of Mexican food. It’s Wednesday night 1998. They’re not just enjoying dinner. They’re laying the foundation for Lighthouse Bible Church in San Diego. Pastor John Kim a shepherd from Maryland had a vision. He and his wife Angela dreamed of planting a church here.
Lighthouse Bible Church wasn’t born in a grand cathedral. It began humbly. Several families gathered for prayer. Their weekly dinners transformed into a midweek Bible study. Fifteen people met in Peter and Jinny Lim’s home. This was the seed of what would become Lighthouse Bible Church.
On December 6 1998 the first Sunday service took place upstairs at Faith United Methodist Church in Scripps Ranch. The official inaugural service followed on May 2 1999. Pastor Chris Mueller of Faith Bible Church even spoke. Thirty people attended that first year. Today the church is vastly larger and more diverse. It serves people from various backgrounds including military personnel students and those who have moved to San Diego from elsewhere.
Lighthouse’s reach expands far beyond San Diego. In 2000 their first missions team traveled to the Czech Republic. They partnered with local churches assisting with an English camp and evangelistic activities. A second team joined them in Tucuman Argentina in 2005. Year after year these partnerships continue. They reflect Lighthouse’s commitment to sharing the gospel globally.
The church’s ambition is evident in its church planting efforts. In 2009 elders announced plans to plant a church in San Jose. Pastor John Kim led this team. This expansion reflects Lighthouse Bible Church’s vision. It’s a testament to their dedication to spreading God’s word. The story of Lighthouse Bible Church is one of humble beginnings tremendous growth and unwavering commitment to faith service and global outreach. It’s a story of answered prayers fulfilled visions and a community that continues to grow in love and faith.