LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST MISSION CHURCH

 

The Lighthouse Baptist Mission has its roots in a failed outreach of ministry into southern Aberdeen by the United Methodist Church.  The Methodist Conference purchased approximately 13 acres of prime land adjacent to Highway 501 and erected a small modern facility.  Rev. Claudie Dial led the early efforts of that ministry.  A lack of participation or interest resulted in termination of the Methodist work after several years.

 

In the 1980’s, Burnt Swamp leaders expressed interest in beginning a new work in the same area.  The Methodist Conference was approached about renting their facility.   An agreement was reached on November 17, 1991 and Southern Baptists began new work through the part-time ministry of Brother Shelley Dial, a young licensed minister in Mt. Elim Baptist Church.  Various churches assisted in a survey of the new work.

 

His bi-vocational ministry was supported by pastoral mission funds with the NC Baptist State Convention and the association.  Modest growth occurred and stability was gained as local Indian leaders joined the mission effort.  Mission members and the association leadership soon began to express interest in acquiring the property from the Methodists.  After several years of negotiation, the mission was successful in purchasing the property in 1997 through assistance from Burnt Swamp Churches, the State Convention, and their own fundraising activities.  Members worked diligently raising the needed funds.

 

The mission was constituted as a church with officers elected.  According to the 1999 association minutes, the following served in key positions:

 

            Pastor                                      Rev. Shelley Dial

Sunday School Director          Brother Kendall Cummings

Church Treasurer                     Sister Mildred Locklear

Church Clerk                           Sister Betty Cummings

 

Minutes also state that the church has twenty-five members and sixty-seven enrolled in Sunday School.  During the 1998-99 church year, the church receipts were $4,566.00.