Let me tell you a little bit about
myself and this ministry. My name is Rev.
Harry A. Smith.I teach Biological Sciences at a local University
and Community College. I became interested in ministerial service after
many years of teaching about AIDS and perceiving the tremendous degree
of villifiation and demonization of those who had the disease by so many
in our local community. This did not seem to me to be in line with the
teachings of Christ as they have been revealed to my heart. I started Universal
Life Church Ministries as a non-denominational outreach group
to address these issues. There seemed to be a need for a more Christian-oriented
ministry to deal with these and other issues in our local community. I
searched for a suitable parent organization and found The
First International Church Of The Web,a Web-based, Christian
Church Pastored by Rev. David
M. Ford. The First International Church of the Web (FICOTW)
ordains only Christian ministers and is founded upon strictly Christian
principles. The Church is Non-Denominational, preferring to emphasize the
Love of our Lord Jesus Christ rather than individual differences of interpretation.
This approach appealed to my growing sense of Christian Inclusiveness.
I applied for membership and Ordination. Here is a copy of my membership
letter and ordination letter.
(I learned how to put the letters in table form from Rev.
Ken Allen's site - he has a lot of information on Christianity including
an exemplary page of eclectic
spiritual links!). I am proud to be part of this international
outreach group spreading the good news through digital means. And so......
I established LightHouse Ministries to serve as a Christian-oriented
outreach service in our local area in keeping with these noble principles.
I chose the name LightHouse Ministries to emphasize the spreading
of light amidst darkness as well as a source of comfort in knowing that
the shore was near and offered a spot of rest for those weary along the
way! These two major themes reflect the informational and counseling nature
of this ministry.
Church Charter
LightHouse Ministries now
has an independent Church Charter.
Pastor Ford of The First International Church Of The Web has graciously
granted this charter. This will allow LightHouse Ministries to serve in
additional roles in the local area. Special thanks needs to go to Rev.
Ford for his tremendous effort in breaking new spiritual ground. His efforts
have spawned numerous outreach ministries that have spread the Gospel in
very special ways. His willingness to ordain Christian Ministers, guide
them in setting up their own ministries, and ministering to them has surely
been a blessing to Christians the world over. Be sure to visit The
First International Church Of The Web, join it if you are so
inclined and support it in anyway you may see fit. On a personal note,
I urge you to visit the Prayer Request Page there and give some words of
comfort to folks requesting it. This is everyone's way of ministering to
those in need! Also be sure to drop a line to Pastor Ford thanking him
for all of his hard work. He has taken on a tough job and deserves many
blessings!
Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain:
That whatsoever ye shall ask of
the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16
Credentials
Rev. Ford has provided a beautiful
set of credentials for ministers of FICOTW. A catalogue of these credentials
is available at The
First International Church Of The Web Credentials Catalogue Page.I
have received the Ordination certificate and the Doctor of Divinity Certificate
and can attest that they are, indeed, very beautiful and professionally
designed. I can highly recommend them to all ministers of our church.