From Pastor's Desk for January 2026

Dear Lighthouse Church:

As we begin 2026, we should focus on bringing more visitors to our church. Our average attendance has grown steadily and thus our opportunities to share the Gospel have multiplied. The new Youth Group is a blessing.

In Remissioning Church, Joshua Hayden “gives established churches a remarkable gift: an inspiring, practical, field-tested road map to rediscovering one’s calling as a community on mission.”

The transformation of the church into a vibrant place of discipleship is our mission. As Hayden also states and asks: “To understand the [ultimate object or aim] of an institution is to look at the kind of people it produces. Or simply put: what kind of disciples is your church making?”

Ethnographic tools assist in the planning of church renewal strategies by identifying groups that may join the church as well as issues and concerns in the community that can be met by the church. Understanding the demographics and the ethnic background of current and potential members can sharpen the message and define services that can be integrated into the renewal plan. We will continue to provide messages emphasizing righteousness and redemption.

Statistical data can assist us in crafting our outreach. Maineville is a village in Hamilton Township, Warren County, Ohio.

• The population of Hamilton Township is 31,292. 62% are 18 to 64, with approximately 15 % over 65.

• The median household income is $121,281 with two percent living in poverty. 60% are married with an average household being 2.9 individuals.

• There are 11,399 housing units with an average value of $317,800.

• Education statistics are 97% high school graduate or higher, 45.4% bachelor’s degree or higher and 15% post-graduate degree.

• 6.4% are veterans.

• 68.2% are employed.

• 27,352 of the population is white, while only 650 are Black, 962 Hispanic, 591 Asian, and 1,688 mixed race.

• The growth rate projected for the period 2022 to 2027 is 1.3%.

Maineville Lighthouse Church is the only Global Methodist Church in Hamilton Township. There is a Baptist Church directly across the street. A Catholic Church is within three miles. The nearest Global Methodist Church is ten miles away in Goshen. Two nearby United Methodists churches have closed in the last several years.

Consistent with our Methodist heritage we are “in the community” and engage with it through mission and engagement. We participate in community events including the Fourth of July Parade, Trunk and Treat, National Night Out, Wreaths Across America, and similar events at which we promote Christianity and our church. We host a Civil Air Patrol Detachment of about 40 cadets. We should explore more ways of supporting the community.

Let us pray for continued growth and rededicate ourselves to the Global Methodist mission to make disciples of the world starting right here in Hamilton Township. Invite friends and neighbors to join us.

God Bless,

Pastor Eric