Developing Our Land
Since we purchased our land in 2017 we have been building our new missionary base. Take time to view the photo report albums from each year to see how the LORD has provided financially as well as the work that was completed. Our base provides tools (buildings, vehicles, trailers and hand tools) that are vital in serving our many ministry contacts across the state. Our “Values Statement” says:
Our missionary emphasis is defined by prayerful direction from the Holy Spirit, a commitment to excellence in accomplishing every task, the attention to detail and integrity in communication with others, the careful stewarding of the tools and resources entrusted to us, and the faithful pursuit of building lifelong partnerships to keep the Body of Christ strong.
Thank you to all of you who have given your time and financial support to get this building ready for use!
History
1995 – 2001 – When we started taking yearly teams to Alaska in 1995, we were always picked up in Anchorage and driven to our assignment.
2001 – 2016 – When we met Wick & Candy Sunderland at Mountain Home Fellowship, our vision began to expand and we started to purchase our own vehicles, trailers and tools. They offered to let us keep our things at their ranch throughout the year. Because of their help, we have grown to need own our place.
2017 – In October of 2017, the board of LightShine Ministries decided to move forward to begin our “Phase One” Capital Campaign and as a result, God’s people helped us raise the remaining $40,000 to add to the previously saved money to purchase the property for $100,000.
2018 – We were able to begin our “Phase Two” Capital Campaign and God’s people helped us raise $18,300 which was used to clear land, build a road and renovate a small building into a cookhouse that will be used in the future. Watch our YouTube Video Report for 2018 by clicking HERE.
2019 – In November of 2018 we began our “Phase Three” Capital Campaign to begin the process of raising money needed for purchasing building materials for a much needed garage to house all four vehicles, trailers and tools. In the summer of 2019, we were able to build our garage and get it under roof. Watch our YouTube Video Report for 2019 by clicking HERE.
2020 – Continued work on our garage continued in “Phase Four” as teams worked inside installing insulation, rough-in electrical, and started hanging drywall. Exterior siding was installed and the outside stairway and second floor entrance deck (photo below). Watch our YouTube Video Report for 2020 by clicking HERE.
2021 – “Phase Five” is now complete with a new septic system, electrical and water lines to the garage and work inside the building which makes the new “Bunkhouse” fully useable. Watch our YouTube Video Report for 2021 by clicking HERE.
To date, all of these developments have been accomplished without debt. We thank and praise the LORD for this and each of you who gave for your obedience to His call. We give you our word that we will continue to be faithful and accountable to Him.
2022
The goal of “Phase Six” was to complete a whole list of tasks that were not completed in 2021. This list includes installing interior woodwork (shelves in garage, decorative trim throughout the Bunkhouse), laying stone driveways in new areas, moving of topsoil and general site work, grass seeding and general landscaping, and working on our Base Director’s House. Much of those goals were completed and you can visit our “2022 Teams” page to view photo reports on each team.
Base Director’s Home Renovation – This photo (below) was taken in February of this year and shows the condition of this house. We have been renting it for the last few years but now we have to put some work into it. When it is finished, it will become our Base Director’s House. Our Base Director will be our first full time position for LightShine Alaska. More on that position soon!
This old house needs a lot of work! Work began in August 2022 by adding a new addition. Soon this old house will become a usable home. You can watch this video that explains more about this project:
A generous donor has offered to match every dollar up to $25,000 from today till the end of the year. If you have any questions for our Board Chairman and financial administrator, please contact Carl Ginder who is our Financial Administrator at: ceginder@gmail.com or (717) 826-1947
Another significant need is to purchase a Tractor/Skid Loader (for snow removal and year round use) – $40,000. This past winter was really hard on us and we had to get a neighbor to help us. We learned a lot about having to daily remove the snow from in front of our garage area of the bunkhouse. If we didn’t keep up with it, it would continue to slide off our metal roof and build up in front of our doors. Our driveway is also long and needed to be kept clear.
If you could help with these costs for purchasing building materials, equipment rental and/or purchase, please contact Carl Ginder who is our Financial Administrator at: ceginder@gmail.com or (717) 826-1947
You can also read more on our “Capital Campaign Page“.
Future Goals
2023/2024 – “Phase Seven” – We will continue to work on our Base Director’s home, ministry office and garage for that home. Our goal is to get a full time base director to manage the property and oversee the workings of our missions base year round. More information will be released on this vision in the near future.
Every year our goal is to raise the needed capital to complete the work with cash in hand – no debt. That is the purpose of our Capital Campaign. CLICK HERE to read more about that or click on the “EMPOWERING Generation to Generation” logo.
Would you consider giving towards the need of this coming year? Click on the logo above for more information. All financial gifts are tax deductible. It is all for His Glory!
Thank you so much!
Tom Denlinger – Ministry Founder
This is how it all started …
