About Shining Light

Our mission is to “share the message of Jesus and develop young Christian leaders.” We seek creative and effective ways to do this and have found a unique opportunity using the performing arts that accomplishes this mission. Each fall we create and prepare a presentation of relevant dramas, high energy music and choreography that we then take to prisons, shelters, and rehab centers from late October through May followed by a 9-10 day tour in June.

Perhaps the most special part of the ministry is that we have found tremendous responses in challenging places to a simple presentation of how we have found Jesus relevant in daily life. Most in our audiences are not Jesus followers. Some are Muslim, atheists, etc. We have had wonderful, grateful responses to our presentations from these groups. We see crowds of teenage boys in high security situations bowing their heads in prayer as one of our members invites them to pray with him. We see tears in the eyes of adult men serving long sentences. We hear thanks from Muslims for coming. We see God work in amazing ways. And it changes lives of people in our audiences and in our group.

The process of preparing this presentation includes rehearsals, Bible-based teaching, small groups, and fellowship time with our group of approximately 60 young people ages 15-23. We encourage ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic diversity among our participants which provides growth opportunities as we work, serve, and travel together. Going into the kinds of places where we minister stretches our young people. The group develops into a strong, supportive community where a Christian worldview is normal and members hold each other accountable for seeking to live as followers of Jesus in every part of their life.

To do this, we rely on young leaders selected from our group. Chosen for their demonstrated potential, they serve as small group leaders, set-up team leaders, choreographers, etc. We provide training for these roles from both our staff and a growing network of Christian community leaders. We seek to expand our member’s vision of the world through a Christian worldview and challenge them to provide leadership in the rest of their lives and as they return to their churches. We have many former members who are now serving in volunteer and full-time ministry positions in churches and ministries throughout the world.

In a typical season our members come from over 20 churches and parishes of many denominations and backgrounds. We rehearse in the Lebanon, Pennsylvania area and usually have participants from over 10 high schools and several colleges, along with numerous full-time working members. Our organization shares facilities and staff with New Song Community Church, which also provides about 12% of our $145,000 annual budget. Over 60% of our funding is from contributions by individuals, organizations, and businesses. Members also contribute to participate as they are able. We have 3 full-time staff and 12 very involved volunteer staff. We are registered as a 501(c)3 Pa non-profit corporation.

If you would like to see a Shining Light presentation, please visit the Public Presentations listing under Presentations. If you are interested in having Shining Light visit your facility, please Contact Us. If you are interested in participating in this growing, life-changing, experience, see Prospective Members under Members.