Who we are
The People
We are proud to be a multi-cultural church where everyone is welcome. Our congregation is comprised of people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds who reside throughout Suffolk County in Long Island, New York.
The Church
Our church was planted in Central Islip on June 25, 1978 by Pastor David K. Fox and his wife, Linda. It began by renting an old church building at 56 Wheeler Road. A few years later property was purchased and a building was constructed at 1230 Motor Parkway. In 2004 we dedicated a new building on the same property. The continued expansion of our facilities has accompanied the growth of our congregation. In addition to meeting the spiritual, social, and physical needs of our surrounding communities, we reach out to many parts of the world. We are part of the Church of God of Cleveland, Tennessee, a Pentecostal denomination with churches in over 160 countries.
Leadership
Pastoral Staff
Rev. David and Linda Fox,
Senior Pastor
Pastor Fox is the founding pastor of the Lighthouse Taberancle (1978) and a long-time member of the New York Church of God State Council. Pastor David and Linda Fox met while attending Zion Bible Institute in RI (now located in MA). Pastor Fox has an M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University and a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Stony Brook University.
Rev. Edward Bernhard,
Assistant Pastor
Pastor Ed oversees the church's men's ministries and now launching a ministry for married couples in 2012.
In addition to being a pastor he has worked in the New York area for many years in the tile industry.
Rev. Darien Fox,
Executive Pastor
Pastor Darien is best known for his work as a missionary-evangelist in many places overseas (see www.darienfox.org), and he is a current member of the NY Church of God State Youth Board. Pastor Darien has an M. Div from the Church of God Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Florida.
Church Elders
Rev. John Smith
Leads the Counseling Ministry and Middle School Sunday School class.
Paul Harris
Leads the Friday night adult Bible study group and High School Sunday School class.
Al Haglund
Leads the men's softball ministry and inolved in many other church ministries.