HISTORY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

The Beginning:
Larry Neff was orphaned at the age of three and placed in an orphanage home in Franklin, Indiana. At the age of 17, he left the orphanage to make his own way. After serving in the army, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Paula Dillman. They have two daughters, Casey and Patricia. In 1969, Larry and Paula attended a revival meeting at First Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Franklin, Indiana. They were saved on the closing day of the meeting, May 16, 1969.

From that day, it was Larry's desire to have a Christian children's home. After graduating from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in May 1973, Larry founded an independent Baptist Church in the metropolitan area of Boston. He pastored there for almost five years. In 1977, he entered full-time evangelism as a chalk artist/ preacher and began to look for property for the children's home. In September 1978, the Lighthouse Children's Home became a reality as the doors were opened and the first little girl entered the home.

Today:
There are now three Lighthouse Children's Homes in Mississippi, Costa Rica and India. Miss Sally McWatters, a 20 year veteran missionary, is the Director of the Lighthouse in Costa Rica which was founded in 1989. Rev. Matthew Henry, a veteran missionary, is the Director of the Lighthouse in India which was founded in November 2000. You can learn more about each of these Homes by clicking "Select another Lighthouse" in the menu bar.

Purpose:
The Lighthouse Children's Homes in Mississippi, Costa Rica and India are Christian homes providing quality Christian training for wayward, needy and unloved homeless children. We seek to provide a channel through which local churches, interested groups and concerned individuals can extend a helping hand to these children. The Homes seek to prepare these children for a life of serving Christ and being productive citizens in their own country and communities. Therefore, it is our purpose to see that each child comes to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our desire to see each child grow spiritually, academically and socially.The Homes provide an environment where an encounter with God's Word produces a lasting change.