The Lighthouse Church: A 40-Year Journey

The Lighthouse Church in Spalding has a vibrant history that began unexpectedly in 1969. It all started when Brenda Edwards, expecting a visitor in response to an ad she placed for a pen pal, instead found two men at her door with a surprising request. One of them was Melvin Banks, an evangelist, accompanied by Pastor Ralph Inskip. They were there to discuss using Brenda’s home as the base for a new initiative—the Spalding Revival and Healing Crusade.

This moment marked the birth of what would become the first Pentecostal church in Spalding, now known as The Lighthouse Church. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to establish a church in the area, Assemblies of God (AOG) decided to try again. They selected Melvin Banks to lead the effort, hosting the Crusade at the Lincolnshire Co-op Hall in Winsover Road.

The Crusade ran from September 6th to 27th, 1969, drawing large crowds every night. Attendance grew steadily, with an average of 185 people per night and 350 at the final rally. The impact was profound—200 people received counselling, 72 people came forward in one night alone, and 600 sought prayer for healing. Among the many miracles, Doris Sanchez, who was unable to walk, was healed and left the event praising God. By the end of the Crusade, 672 people had decided to follow Christ, and 20 experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Brenda Edwards recalled the powerful atmosphere: “The meetings were so wonderful, such a high expectancy of the power and presence of God prevailed so that I couldn’t keep away each night – I just had to get there because I was expecting something to happen!” The whole town was buzzing with excitement, and the Crusade attracted visitors from nearby villages, supported by local pastors and the Home Missions.

A Growing Legacy

The success of the 1969 Spalding Revival and Healing Crusade led to the formation of The Lighthouse Church, the first Pentecostal fellowship in Spalding. Despite some criticism, the Crusade's impact was undeniable, with around 40 people, including six families like the Edwards, continuing to meet at the Lincolnshire Co-op Hall.

To lead this new church, a young pastor named Bob Shelton, 28, from Coventry, was brought in. Though initially struggling to find accommodation, a chance encounter led him to a flat near the Hall, where he stayed for over a year before moving to Australia. During his time in Spalding, the church experienced steady growth, with healings, baptisms of the Holy Spirit.

The church celebrated its first anniversary on September 19th, 1970, with visitors from across Lincolnshire and Coventry. Doris Sanchez, who had been miraculously healed during the Crusade, shared her testimony, expressing her overwhelming gratitude and desire to "shout from the rooftops."

Finding a Home and Growing in Faith

In early 1971, after Pastor Bob Shelton’s departure, his friend Bob Smith, along with his wife Rose and baby Carol, took on the role of pastor for the growing fellowship. With the help of a local window cleaner, the Smith family found temporary accommodation in a bungalow at Cradge Bank.

Seeking a permanent home for the church, Bob discovered The Grange, a large, empty house on Pinchbeck Road. With support from the AOG’s Property Trust, the church purchased the property. The Grange became the new hub for the church, hosting local AOG Conventions and fostering a strong sense of community through outings, shared meals, and a growing Sunday School, thanks in part to Bob’s “mini-bus” service for local children.

In 1976, after Bob Smith accepted a new pastorate in Nottingham, the church invited Barry Page, a student from Mattersey Bible College, to lead them. Under Barry's leadership, the church expanded its ministry with open-air meetings, music practice sessions, and a children’s club called the "One Way" club. Barry also oversaw numerous baptisms, with several members, including children, experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Despite these positive developments, The Grange eventually became unsafe due to the need for costly renovations. The church sold the building, and as they began meeting in houses, membership gradually dwindled.

A New Chapter

In 1982, as The Lighthouse Church sought a new pastor, they connected with Pastor Stephen Page (Snr) from Hounslow Pentecostal Church, who was looking to semi-retire. His family, including daughter Marion and her husband Chas Sandhu, planned to move from London to open a nursing home, but restrictive covenants on The Grange, which they purchased, prevented this.

Instead, The Grange became their family home and the new meeting place for the church. Pastor Page, though semi-retired, stepped in as the church's pastor. The Grange became both a home and a spiritual centre.

In 1983, Chas Sandhu and Pastor Stephen Page began renovating The Grange to create a dedicated church entrance, a baptistry, and a comfortable family home. During this time, Don Robbins and Keith Davies joined the church and eagerly helped with the work.

Pastor Page focused on strengthening the church's spiritual foundation, forming a Church Council, and launching various ministries. Joan Page started ladies' meetings, while Chas and Marion led youth and children's activities. The church community grew, with Sunday services marked by a strong presence of the Holy Spirit, often experienced through healing and speaking in tongues. The church became a hub of activity, from youth outings to fellowship gatherings in members' homes.

In 1988, Pastor Stephen Page welcomed Ken Wareham, who felt called to support the church in Spalding. Ken, along with his wife Sandra and their two daughters, worked alongside Pastor Page for the final two years of his ministry.

As the church grew, The Grange’s meeting hall became too small, and efforts to expand were denied due to building regulations. Chas and Marion decided to sell The Grange, which was eventually repurchased by the previous owners, Roythornes. The church temporarily relocated to the Chappell Centre and later to Moose Hall on Love Lane, where Pastor Page helped renovate the space.

By 1990, Pastor Page decided to retire, leading his farewell service at Moose Hall. Before returning to London with his family, he passed the leadership of the church to Ken Wareham.

A New Home for The Lighthouse Church

In 1992, The Lighthouse Church, meeting at Moose Hall, hosted a successful outreach event with Canadian pastors, which included powerful healings, such as Jenny Fowler's recovery from epilepsy. Motivated by this growth, Pastor Ken Wareham sought a permanent location for the church.

A suitable industrial unit was found and purchased on Haverfield Road. Thanks to a generous donation from Chas and Marion Sandhu, and additional financing from the AOG Property Trust, the church began transforming the unit into a fully equipped worship centre in 1993. This new space included a baptistry, modern facilities, and space for offices and a crèche.

The dedicated efforts of the congregation, including Pastor Wareham and many volunteers, culminated in the new venue being named The Lighthouse Church, marking a new chapter in its history.

The Lighthouse Church celebrated its newly acquired building with much joy and support from the congregation. However, in 1995, Pastor Ken decided it was time to move on, and the church was temporarily led by its elders.

A New Era at The Lighthouse Church

As The Lighthouse Church was temporarily being led by it's elders whom, after prayful consideration, offered the pastorate to Chas Sandhu who they believed could lead the church forward, as he had previously expressed a deep commitment to Spalding during his time as a youth and children's leader.

Meanwhile, Chas and his wife Marion, while active in their church in Felthem called 'Oasis', received prophetic messages from visiting evangelists that puzzled them at the time. One American evangelist and another from Portugal provided them with personal and specific guidance which they kept safe, unsure of its meaning.

Three months later, the church in Spalding reached out, inviting Chas and Marion to return, with Chas to consider taking over as pastor. The previous prophetic words suddenly made sense in light of this new opportunity. Despite the challenges of moving from their established lives in London, where they had secure jobs and their children were settled in school, the call felt like a clear directive from God. The decision required significant contemplation about stepping out of their comfort zones and moving back to Spalding.

Chas and Marion Sandhu, after receiving a private invitation from The Lighthouse Church in Spalding, turned to prayer for guidance. They received multiple prophetic words that confirmed their calling, which only they knew about. Convinced by these affirmations, they met with church elders in November 1995 and agreed that Chas would become the new pastor, starting in January 1996.

Upon their arrival, the congregation was small, but over nearly 14 years under their leadership, the church experienced significant growth and spiritual renewal. They saw many members come to faith, be baptized, and the church was strengthened through various improvements funded by a generous donation.

Pastors Chas and Marion have become the longest-serving pastors in the church's history. Longtime members like Richard and Brenda Edwards, and their daughter Rachel Baker and her husband, continued to contribute actively to the church community.

Their tenure has been marked by numerous blessings and challenges, reinforcing their deep trust in His provisions, exemplified by miraculous support and renovations that have greatly enhanced the church's facilities and capabilities.

Joint Church Meetings

Starting in March 2000, The Lighthouse Church, along with St. Paul's Church and The Community Church in Spalding, initiated joint services three times a year. This collaboration was led by Pastor Chas Sandhu from The Lighthouse, David Naylor from St. Paul's, and Kevin Taylor from The Community Church. The goal was to foster fellowship, share ministries, inspire faith, and build inter-church relationships.

The services were hosted on a rotating basis among the three churches. Each event included a service followed by a buffet lunch, allowing congregants to mingle and share their faith experiences. Initially, each congregation numbered between 25 and 30 members, which made these gatherings intimate and manageable.

However, by 2003, all three congregations had grown significantly, and the church venues could no longer accommodate the increased attendance. The joint services were deemed successful but were discontinued due to these practical limitations.

Special Events held during this time at The Lighthouse Church

Divine Healing Service with Melvin Banks (July 2000): Melvin Banks returned to The Lighthouse Church on July 13, 2000, for a Divine Healing Service. The event was well-attended, with many individuals praying for salvation and healing.

Tent Mission (August 2001): In August 2001, The Lighthouse Church hosted its first Tent Mission on a rugby field opposite the Grammar School in Spalding. Evangelist Elaine Roberts from Northampton led the mission, which included daily activities for youth and children, and evening rallies where Elaine ministered and prayed for the sick. The mission saw about 100 attendees each night, peaking at 150 young people for a final youth event featuring the gospel band 'Shine'. The mission marked the beginning of a gradual growth and brought new vibrancy to the community. Elaine and her husband Peter continue to visit and minister at the church, fostering a lasting relationship with the congregation and its leaders, Pastor Chas and Marion.

Ian McCormack Visit (October 2001): Ian McCormack shared his dramatic testimony at the church, detailing his miraculous recovery after being stung by a box jellyfish.

Cannon and Ball Gospel Tour (March 2002): Comedy duo Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball performed their Gospel Show at the South Holland Centre, leading to an impactful evening where several attendees responded to the altar call.

Tough Talk Presentation (October 2003): At Spalding Grammar School, a group of men shared their transformations from lives of addiction and violence to faith, using their strength training as a platform.

Raise the Praise Event (October 2005): A lively evening of music, dance, and testimony with a gospel band from Walthamstow that celebrated and honoured the name of Jesus

Watoto Children’s Choir (2006): The Ugandan choir performed at Spalding Grammar School, sharing their vibrant culture and gospel through song and dance, deeply impacting the local community.

Helen Shapiro Gospel Concert (March 2008): Famous 1960s singer Helen Shapiro shared her faith journey and sang gospel music, touching many with her story and songs.

Jeff Steinberg Concert (June 2009): Jeff Steinberg, known for his humour and powerful voice, delivered an inspiring concert, emphasizing the limitless possibilities with God.

Community and Inclusion Initiatives

Contact Centre (2002): A multi-agency community project that helped families with supervised visitations, showcasing the church's involvement in broader community support.

Lighthouse Friends (Established 2004): A group created to support individuals with learning difficulties, providing a space for worship and fellowship tailored to their needs.

Flower Parade: The Lighthouse Church actively participated in Spalding's annual Flower Parade, held every May Bank Holiday. The church opened its doors on Parade Saturday, offering teas, coffees, and refreshments, along with a table-top sale and parking facilities. The Lighthouse Dancers, participating for four years, added joyful performances. In 2008, the church uniquely contributed a float decorated as Noah’s Ark, complete with flower displays and pulled by the church van, enhancing the parade's festive spirit and community engagement.

HopeFest 2008 was a significant community event led by Spalding Churches Together and featuring volunteers from The Lighthouse Church. Held on June 7th, 2008, at Sir Halley Stewart Field, the event drew over 1,100 attendees who enjoyed a day filled with music, dance, and various activities. The event emphasized Christianity's relevance through kindness, compassion, and community collaboration. Paul and Zoe Coleman from The Lighthouse spearheaded the volunteer efforts, contributing to a successful day that showcased the unity and vibrancy of local churches. The band ‘Make Jesus Known’ and dance performances by The Lighthouse Dance Troupe and Community Bridges ensured that the message of Christianity was joyfully shared. These events underscore The Lighthouse Church's commitment to community involvement and spreading Christian values through engaging and inclusive activities.

Facility Expansion and Resource Provision

House Purchase for Community Use (2005): The church acquired a property next to its premises to establish the Spalding Christian Bookshop, offering a wide range of Christian resources to the community.

The Purchase of the Drill Hall

The Lighthouse Church, previously constrained by space limitations, embarked on a significant transition to acquire a new home—The Drill Hall. Pastor Chas had long envisioned the Drill Hall as a future site for the church, and in 2008, this vision approached reality. Despite financial challenges, the church's leadership decided to raise funds through a 'Gift Offering'.

Miraculously, although it was not the highest offer, the church's bid was accepted, and they secured a mortgage for the remaining amount. On August 1, 2008, The Lighthouse Church officially moved into the Drill Hall. The church community came together to refurbish and restore the neglected building, demonstrating remarkable teamwork and dedication.

The grand opening in February 2009 was a celebratory event, attended by local dignitaries including Councillor Biggadike and John Hayes, MP. The weekend was filled with meaningful services and community engagement, emphasizing the church’s commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving the community.

Today, The Lighthouse Church is not just a building but a beacon of hope and faith, dedicated to outreach, justice, and supporting the local community in Spalding. The church continues to honor its past while looking forward to a future of continued service and faithfulness.