Light of the World Gospel Ministries Inc

Recent Demolitions Video

The Vision

The vision for Light of the World Gospel Ministries commenced about 20 years ago when Paul Malcomson (a former Police Officer from Northern Ireland) attended a Christian Conference in Beaumont, Texas and heard the testimony of an Omaha Tribal member named Pat Phillips. She testified about her people, about the Reservation, how dark it was, how broken it was, and how the Omaha people desperately needed God. She said something that rocked Paul: “no one will serve my people.”

Answering the Call

Paul could not shake that statement off. He heard the cry, caught the vision, and responded to the call. In 2007, Paul and his family sold up everything they had in Northern Ireland and moved onto the Omaha Indian Reservation. The first church service started with only 12 people, and has now grown to over 100 coming consistently. In a community of only 780 people this is the favor of God. Many of congregants are young, active, and most have never belonged to another church.

The Need

Due to our growing congregation and lack of space in our current building, Light of the World Gospel Ministries (LOTW) purchased several old buildings directly across the street from its current meeting place. It planned to tear down the deteriorating structures and build a church and related facilities to serve the community. The church was given permission by the Village of Walthill to build in 2014. It would have cost us around $1,200,000 to build back then. However, the Village revoked or denied permits the church needed to get started.

First Liberty Institute Takes Action

First Liberty Institute, the preeminent religious liberty firm in the nation, offered to represent the church. The church filed a lawsuit against the Village in 2018. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice got involved and filed a separate lawsuit against the Village.

History of the Case

Victory: Case Won

By God’s grace, including the help by First Liberty and collaboration with the Village, in February 2022, the church, the Village, and the DOJ settled the legal matters and cleared the way for the church to build. Light of the World now has laid the foundations for the facility and is moving forward with construction.

Related Link: https://firstliberty.org/cases/lotw/#simple2

Financial Challenges

Sadly, due to these delays, our costs have skyrocketed. Conceptual estimates and designs have been completed for this endeavor. The Village Council has approved the submitted plans. The church has a builder ready to commence. The old buildings have now been demolished. The church is now moving forward by faith with construction. Initial construction costs and architect fees will require an estimated $3,200,000, not an insignificant amount for a small rural church. This relates to the church complex, coffee shop, and bookstore (to reach the local community). We need $2,200,000 to complete the foundations and outer shell (includes $200,000 for architects). The final approximately $1,000,000 is to complete the interior of the complex.

Sacrificial Giving

Members have been giving faithfully and sacrificially for years to make this happen. We have raised $1,750,000 over a number of years for this project (including payments to architects), which is an incredible achievement. Notwithstanding, this is an enormous burden for a small church located on the Omaha Reservation. It is an enormous ask, but God! The church has less than three months to raise $450,000 to complete the exterior work.

Future Hope

We believe we are here to meet the weighty need around us and serve the Omaha Nation and surrounding communities. We are here for spiritual Revival! God is raising up many young people with a heart for the lost, many of these Native American. This facility will be a beach-head to reach this generation with the good news of Christ.

Opportunity to Give

This is the first time in nearly 16 years we have presented the need outside of our four walls. That is because we are a giving church. The heart of our ministry is to serve. We are constantly giving out to the needs around us, which are many. We equally know others may want to help. We want to give them an opportunity to partner with us in this great historic task. If you know anyone else who has a heart for the lost, a burden for Native Americans, and have the means to help, we would encourage you to share this need.

Ways to Give

Anyone wishing to help can either:

1. Click the Donate or Donate now button on this page; and give.

2.Visit our website [https://lightoftheworldgm.com/building-fund/]; and directly donate.

3.Send a check directly to our PO Box address below

Light Of The World Gospel Ministries

214 Main Street in Walthill, Nebraska 68067

Our church is Tax Exempt at both state and Federal levels. The IRS considers gifts to a non-profit as tax deductible.

Yours Truly,

Curtis Boschult (Building Committee, Light of the World Gospel Ministries)