The spring semester has begun with the full chaos that coming back to campus always brings. Snow and rain blasted into campus as syllabus week came and went and a daunting amount of assignments appeared on the horizon. Assigned with writing a club feature, it seemed the campus was relatively quiet. Overwhelmed, I stumbled across the weekly meeting hosted by Lighthouse, Elizabethtown College’s campus Christian ministry.
A lighthouse is a bright spot on the horizon for ships on dark and stormy nights. In that moment, struggling in from the cold to the M&M Mars Room, it became apparent that Lighthouse, in the most literal fashion, was a group dedicated to keeping doors open for all seeking community and fellowship, no matter what—even the first week of the semester, at the height of the academic year and the depth of winter storms.
I met with Ryan Ramler, a senior psychology major and a leader and spokesperson for the group. In Leffler, other Etown students were gathered together, setting up microphones, refreshments and the pulpit for the message of the night.
“The goal is to share the gospel of Christ Jesus with others to build a community, spread the gospel, and surround ourselves with like-minded individuals or those curious about God,” Ramler said.
The group is distinctly hardworking in their contributions to the campus and the community, which according to Ramler has been possible through the ministry’s connections with Mount Calvary Church, Elizabethtown Alliance Church, Proclamation Presbyterian Church, Hope Community Church and more. Speaking of this outreach, Ramler grew passionate.
“Our organization is a place to come and be loved and to hear the truth preached in some way every day,” Ramler said. “We want others to know of the wondrous mystery of faith.”
When speaking to Ramler and other attendees and volunteers, it is clear one of the goals of the group is to always have outreach available to those who need it on any given day during the week, an admirable and ambitious goal that is nevertheless met. Ramler helps to lead the Men’s Bible Study, or “Guyble” study at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in Nicarry as well as heading up the Life and Lament and Jogging for Jesus groups.
“The first time I attended Lighthouse, I was in my first semester of college and struggling with so much, whether that be working through epilepsy or difficulties with friends,” Ramler said. “At the time, I went with my gut and what I knew to be familiar.” Ramler admits.
The rest is history.
“Under God’s provision our group has grown exponentially in the past few years, up to twenty and thirty more students than previously expected,” Ramler said.
Regardless of personal convictions or religious preference, Lighthouse’s selfless work both on campus and with other churches and organizations is essential to keeping Etown a well-rounded and service-oriented community, as the spaces the organization has available during the week are proven to be good for students socially and academically.
Sophomore and information systems major Rein Alderfer agrees. A frequent attendee and always a willing volunteer, Alderfer too started attending early in his Etown college career, first hearing about the group through word-of-mouth by other members.
“I grew up in a nondenominational church, but since seriously returning to God and serving with Lighthouse my faith and sense of community has grown so much,” Alderfer said.
For those looking for other Christians, those who may be curious about their faith or even those looking for community, Lighthouse meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays in the M&M Mars Room for a large gathering, in which the group sings two hymns or contemporary songs of worship before a full sermon from local pastors or missionaries. This week, Clint Watkins from Shetland Presbyterian began to preach on Acts 1, a Bible book the group plans to dive into this semester.
