Lighthouse Church

From the very beginning, Sunflowers for Sallie has been a tremendous blessing, not only to Lighthouse Church but to our entire community. Since its founding, this ministry has faithfully fulfilled the call of Christ to “love your neighbor as yourself,” and we have seen firsthand the impact of that love.
For several years now, members of our congregation have been blessed to receive Baskets of Hope during the holiday season. Several of our families live on fixed incomes, and with the rising cost of living, the struggle is real. These baskets have allowed them not just to scrape together a bare-bones meal, but to sit down to a full and hearty meal, complete with all the fixings, surrounded by their loved ones. That gift of dignity, fellowship, and nourishment has touched hearts more deeply than words can describe.
But the blessing does not end with the recipients. Each year, over a hundred volunteers from various backgrounds come together to assemble these baskets and deliver them to families in need. Members of our own church participate in this effort. They return with stories of joy, laughter, and tears shared with neighbors, and in those moments, they realize that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The baskets nourish the body, but the act of serving nourishes the soul.
As a pastor, I see Sunflowers for Sallie as an extension of our congregation’s outreach. It encourages our members not only to care for one another but also to bless their neighbors and strangers who might be struggling. The ministry has become a channel through which God’s love flows beyond the church walls, planting seeds of kindness that flourish throughout our community.
None of this would be possible without the remarkable leadership of its founder, Rita. Her faith, compassion, and perseverance have inspired us all. She has turned personal loss into a legacy of love, and we are grateful that God placed this vision in her heart. Through her obedience, countless families have found hope, comfort, and joy.
On behalf of Lighthouse Church, I thank you for the partnership we share with Sunflowers for Sallie. It is a shining example of what happens when people come together with open hands and open hearts. We are honored to stand with them in this mission and blessed beyond measure to be among the recipients of their generosity year after year.
May God continue to multiply the seeds planted through this ministry, so they may grow into a harvest of blessings for generations to come.