Welcome
What kind of church is Light in the Desert (LITD)?
Light in the Desert is a Southern Baptist church that seeks and promotes a personal relationship with God. We are fully committed to the truths of the Bible. We strive to communicate those truths in a relevant and understandable way for many who face real issues and are looking for answers. We have discovered that those answers are only found in a personal walk with Jesus Christ. We consider ourselves to be real people, not perfect, just forgiven sinners that have experienced a love and acceptance that we joyfully share with others.
What are the worship services like?
Our weekly worship gathering takes place every Sunday morning at 10:15 am. We work hard to make sure your experience at Light in the Desert Church is one that engages Jesus and honors God. Our Sunday Gathering features many elements, but the centerpiece of our gathering is the scriptures. Our Pastor preaches expositionally through books of the bible with occasionally preaching series on theological topics.
What do you offer for my kids?
9 am: Classes for babies up through high school while you enjoy our adult Sunday Studies Class.
10:15 am: There is a class for 0-4yrs, and a class for PreK-3rd grade (your kids stay with you during the beginning music portion of the service and then are dismissed to go to class as they meet their teacher in the foyer.)
10:15 am: 4th grade and older stay in the gathering with their parents
We are a church that is staffed with church volunteers complete with background checks, so as to ensure your child’s safety. While we expect that your children will enjoy these activities more, you are always welcome to keep them with you during the service if you prefer.
Read more about our Children’s Ministry here.
How do I connect with others?
We are convinced that the best place for spiritual growth and connecting with others is in a smaller setting of discipleship. We have several avenues for being in a smaller group- Sunday Studies, Wednesday night DisipleMakers, LifeGroups that meet in homes, and occasional Women’s and Men’s Fellowship gathering. It is in these smaller settings that you will get friendship-building, encouragement, prayer, support and training. Read more about how you can connect here.
Mission
LITD exists to glorify God (Ps 86:12 / Is 60:21 / 1 Cor 10:31) by making disciples (Matt 28:19) who love God supremely, love others sacrificially, and share hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Love God supremely. When Jesus was asked to summarize the entire law, which was supposed to guide the people of God, he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Deut 6:4-5 / Matt 22:37 / Mark 12:30 / Luke 10:27a). Jesus in essences is saying that the most important thing about a follower of God is that he/she love God supremely. This threefold love is with mind, soul, and heart—all of oneself is to love God. To be the people of God is be people marked by a deep love and affection for him. (Rom 12:11).
A follower of God is often called to find their greatest delight in the Lord (Ps 16:11, 37:4 / Phil 4:4). From Old Testament to the New, scriptures instruct us to see God, God the Son, and God the Spirit as most enjoyable above all other pursuits. Light in the Desert wants to see all who gather here long for God more than earthly pleasures. Much like the parable Jesus told about a man who found a treasure in a field and then in joy went and sold all he had to purchase that field (Matt 13:44). The treasure was Jesus; what he sold was earthly pursuits.
Love others sacrificially. In the same conversation where Jesus was asked to summarize the entire law, he gives a second command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18 / Matt 22:39 / Mark 12:31 / Luke 10:27b / Rom. 13:9 / Gal. 5:14 / James 2:8). As you can see the multiple references from Old to New Testament, loving others sacrificially should most certainly identify the people of God. The people of God have been so radically loved that they are to radically love. Notice the extent to which we are called to love others; as ourselves. There is hardly a day that goes by that we do not consider what is best for us; this is how we are to think of others.
If we are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, then we are, as he did, to love others sacrificially in order to see them love him. After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, he said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15). This sacrificial love does not only extend to the “one another’s” of scripture but those who are outside a relationship with Jesus (Col 4:5-6 / Titus 3:14).
Share hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples. God has and will always care about all nations (Ps 96). Our Duty (Matt 9:35-38 / Matt 28:16-20 / 2 Cor 5:14-15 / Rom 1:16, 10:17 / 1 Peter 3:15) as Christians is to willingly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know him. We acknowledge that sin must be dealt with in order for ourselves and others to fully live (John 10:10). Sin has utterly and entirely ruined man; therefore, humanity needs a Savior (John 6:44-45 / Rom 2:29, 3:1-20, 5:12-21 / 1 Cor 15:22, Titus 3:5). It is no small thing to consider the far-reaching effects of sin on the world around us and we deeply desire to give an adequate response that actually works; Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. The follower of Jesus will arm themselves with the gospel (Eph 6:17) to go and free sinners who are enslaved; to cut the cords of bondage caused by our sin (Heb 12:1-3)!
We are not only compelled to share hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ because of the devastating effects of sin but because the entire storyline of the bible has pointed towards Jesus (Gen 3:15, 12:3 / Ps 2, 110 / Matt 1:21-23 / Gal 3). He is the common thread throughout all scripture that brings God’s Kingdom on earth, that redeems God’s people, and fulfills all of God’s promises. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who creates peace between us and God (Rom 5:1). The point of scripture is to exalt Jesus, so we too want to exalt Jesus.