Welcome to Lighthouse Baptist Church!

Visiting a church for the first time can feel a little intimidating—we get it. That’s why at Lighthouse Baptist Church, we go out of our way to make sure you feel genuinely welcomed and right at home. Whether you’re new to church or just new to the area, there’s a place for you here.

We’re a close-knit, growing church family where you’ll find meaningful worship, friendly faces, and biblical preaching that’s both practical and encouraging.

We’d be honored to have you visit and see firsthand how God is working in hearts and lives here at Lighthouse.

Below, you’ll find helpful details to make your first visit smooth and stress-free—we’ve answered some common questions to take the guesswork out of coming. We can’t wait to meet you!

More Details

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Loving God and loving people is at the heart of the Great Commission. We support missionaries in many countries through prayer and regular financial support.

OUR VISION

We strive to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. Most churches find it is comfortable to stay within the walls, but we make it an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our city changed.

OUR VALUES

We highly value our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

OUR HISTORY

Lighthouse Baptist Church began as a “Street Missions” outreach, with Pastor Bannister and his father ministering to addicts and those in need on the streets of Utica, NY. Their first gatherings took place in a broken-down house on Elm Street, purchased from the city for just $1, where they held services and served hot dogs to all who attended.

After a few months, God laid it on Pastor Bannister’s heart to start a church. In May 1996, Lighthouse Baptist Church was established. The name holds special meaning for Pastor Bannister, as it’s also the name of the church and Bible college in San Diego, CA, where he was ordained to preach—creating a legacy of hope that continues to shine in Utica today.

That old, broken-down building had no heat, water, or restrooms—so between Sunday School and church, everyone took a walk to Burger King for the bathroom and a hot cup of coffee. With plenty of elbow grease, the building was fixed up, and by summer, about 30 people were faithfully attending services.

Three years later, God opened the door for Lighthouse Baptist Church to purchase the old Gold Top Bakery on South Street. Miraculous stories surrounded the purchase, and in that building, the church experienced tremendous growth—hosting 30-day revivals, big bus days, and many sweet fellowships—until eventually, they ran out of room once again.

After ten years, the Lord orchestrated a miraculous move to Kossuth Avenue, where Lighthouse Baptist Church acquired the former St. Agnes’s Church property—including four buildings: the sanctuary, rectory, convent, and school. This step of faith stretched and grew the church family, as God provided for the purchase and maintenance of such a large property, deepening everyone’s trust in His provision. Lighthouse Baptist Church has called 701 Kossuth Ave home for 12 wonderful years, blessed by God with faithful workers and givers. In 2021, we celebrated 25 years as a church, grateful for all the Lord has done. As we look to the future, Lighthouse remains committed to serving our community with truth, grace, and love—carrying out the heart of 1 John 4:19: “We love him, because he first loved us.”

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