Real people.
Supernatural change.

I was blind, but now I see – a story of how one Lighthouse Mission guest received both physical and spiritual sight because of your generous gifts. And if you haven’t given, Physical and spiritual sight for Theroux – Thanks to YOU! We love telling the stories of God’s generous interventions at the Mission each and every day.

I believe God brought me here. Lighthouse Mission regularly witnesses God working on the frontlines of our city as we watch Him move on the behalf of our most vulnerable. Sharing stories of God’s work is one of our favorite things to do here at the Mission – to tell of God’s good work and the people he has saved. Aleta is just a story of hope. Aleta grew up having a strong faith. But when a custody battle over her son didn’t go the way she had hoped and prayed, it shook her to the core.

“I had nowhere to go,” said Shari. “Everything was chaos.” That was March 2020, right when COVID began. Shari had been living with a family friend here in Bellingham when her friend passed away unexpectedly. With little to no time to find another place to live, Shari was facing homelessness.

Lighthouse Mission works to stay close to the needs of the community by supporting each and every person we meet on the streets of Bellingham. But it’s because of your support of our mission and our work that we are able to intervene on so many. Speaking of which – have you ever questioned your value? Your purpose?

For those experiencing homelessness, the emotional challenges can be as painful as the physical challenges of hunger and lack of shelter. Carmon, one of our guests in recovery, suffered from isolation and strained family relationships that led him into a spiral.

Mary, a Lighthouse Mission staff member, was heading home when she saw a visibly pregnant young woman sleeping on the ground, just outside our front door. “Hey, are you okay?” Mary asked, gently shaking the woman awake.

After a fishing season in Alaska was cut short due to record low numbers of fish, Tommy found himself in a tough spot… with no job and no place to live. He was desperate for temporary work to tide him over until the next fishing season. However, not many people were looking to hire an elderly man, struggling in the grips of addiction. That’s how Tommy first ended up at at our drop-in shelter, Base Camp.

It is the stories of renewal and restoration that excite us most to talk about. We are so glad to share the story of Libby and her desire to share her transformation with you all. God has intervened on Libby’s behalf and has brought about restoration. This story is an exciting new story of God’s love and peace in Libby’s life. And this amazing story of grace was made possible because you took the time to act, to donate, and to make a difference in the lives of those most overlooked in our society.

Mike Missick was a special guest at the Lighthouse Mission as he worked to break free of the cycle of homelessness. And we were blessed to have a front row seat to watch God intervene on behalf of Mike as He transformed his life to something entirely new.

Hans Erchinger-Davis, CEO of the Lighthouse Mission, wanted to share a Christmas greeting this year. “This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The king of glory who came to be born in a manger. Luke records in his gospel that one day a man met Jesus along the road and said, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'”

Two Celebrations of Life for Rev. Albert Archer will be held in Arizona and Washington state. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Feb. 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Valley Baptist Church (555 S. Mountain Road, Mesa, Ariz.) with Rev. Kevin Cowling officiating.

Ron Doerksen sat at a desk in the front office of the Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM) building on Dec. 23, awaiting the next guest to walk through the doors stationed below the large welcome sign parallel to Astor Street. He donned a long-sleeve shirt with the John 3:16 verse “Your Life Matters” printed on the front and “Born Once, Die Twice. Born Twice, Die Once” on the back. His gentle smile, wealth of knowledge about LMM and its services and Christ-centered approach to life makes him one of the shelter’s most valued volunteers.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are often a time for some reflection, family time and giving back. For individuals and families, especially those navigating retirement distributions, there are several tax-efficient strategies to maximize your impact and minimize your tax burden. Let’s explore how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can help you achieve your philanthropic goals, and how your generosity can make a real difference right here in Bellingham.

For the past 101+ years, the Lighthouse Mission has witnessed the struggles of homelessness. We observe the impact of deep trauma, the pain of addiction, the despair of job loss and the crushing weight of mental health challenges. But we also see resilience, the spark of hope and the transformative power of healing in Christ.

For over 100 years, Lighthouse Mission Ministries has celebrated Christmas with the cold, hungry and vulnerable in Bellingham. Each day, we strive to bring Jesus Christ as the beacon of light for those navigating homelessness. We provide warm meals, safe shelter and crucial resources like addiction recovery, budgeting, parenting and job training. We could not serve our community without the generosity of our amazing financial supporters.

Volunteering to help the homeless in Whatcom County, especially in Bellingham at the Lighthouse Mission Ministries, is an impactful way to give back to your community. This organization is dedicated to providing essential services and support to those in need, offering a range of volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to make a tangible difference. Whether it’s assisting with daily operations, providing meals, or offering companionship, volunteers play a crucial role in maintaining the compassionate and welcoming environment that the Lighthouse Mission Ministries strives to create. By dedicating your time and energy, you can help foster a sense of dignity and hope among the homeless population in Bellingham.

We interviewed one of our wonderful volunteers, Peggy. Her experience volunteering at Lighthouse Mission’s Base Camp is an insight into the kind hearts of people like Peggy.

Toxic charity vs. Smart charity. As believers in Christ, it is one of our God-given responsibilities to care for the poor. Over 2,000 verses in the Bible illustrate this. But, how do we effectively serve the poor? One way to ensure that you’re serving your homeless neighbors appropriately is by making sure to practice smart charity instead of toxic charity.

Does the Lighthouse Mission make a difference in the lives of individuals throughout the communities of Washington, and specifically Bellingham? Yes, it does… every single day. If you are interested in understanding the best ways to help Bellingham homeless, look no further than this outstanding anonymous story from one of the individuals we’ve had the pride to get the opportunity to support.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…

The full-length documentary of our Hope for Bellingham video series is out now. Check it out to gain insight into homelessness and get involved in the solutions. Are you curious how you can make a difference in your local community? This is the resource for you. Do you want your business to participate in the community and to make a difference fighting homelessness and helping individuals impacted? Then check out this video series.