ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH
OUR VISION
At Lighthouse Baptist Church, our vision is to spread the message of hope, love, and salvation to our community and beyond. We strive to create a welcoming environment where people can grow in their faith and find purpose in their lives.
WHAT WE DO
Through our various ministries and outreach programs, we are dedicated to serving the spiritual and practical needs of our congregation and the local community. From worship services to youth activities, we are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
OUR COMMUNITY
As a church, we believe in the power of community and the importance of coming together to support and uplift one another.
Lighthouse Baptist Church Core Principles
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For me, Christ comes first, then thy neighbor as myself. (Mt 22:36-40)
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I will never aim for the minimum expectation. (Rom 12:1, Lk 17:7-10)
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I am not always right and I do not always have to have my way. (Eph 5:21, Rom 12:10)
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I am no better than anyone else. (Rom 3:10)
Pastor Cole Anderson
Pastor Cole Anderson was saved at the age of 24 after serving 6 years in the US Navy. He and his wife, Tish, have 5 adult children. God called him to preach in October of 2000. Since then, he has served as a deacon, started and led a free Bibles ministry in Jackson, was a Bus Captain, bus driver, Sunday School teacher, Bus Director, Outreach Leader, and a preacher in local jails and Michigan prisons. Pastor Anderson has a long-standing burden for lost souls. He is a continual soul winner and has trained numerous others to do so, also.
From 2019 through the present, Pastor Anderson has worked in missions to Nicaragua, visiting there, financially supporting, and helping national pastors build their churches. Doing this work, he has learned to read, write, and can carry a basic conversation in Spanish. He has a deep burden for the Latin American people (and renowned appetite for Mexican food).
In the Summer of 2024, the Lord brought him to a decision: desiring to pastor for many years, it was time to make the move. God led Pastor Anderson to start and pastor Lighthouse Baptist Church. He began knocking on doors, building connections, and winning souls to this end in September of 2024.
Assistant Pastor Mike Merklinger
Assistant Pastor Mike Merklinger grew up in the Jackson area and has been a faithful churchgoer his entire life. He was saved and baptized at the age of 8, and felt the call to preach in June of 1996. That fall, he enrolled at Hyles-Anderson College, where his wife, Karen, was also a full-time student. Their two daughters attended Hammond Baptist Christian School during their time there. Pastor Merklinger graduated in 2003 and was hired on staff at First Baptist Church of Hammond. Throughout his ministry, he has served as a Sunday school superintendent, adult Sunday school teacher, song leader, and preacher in local jails and state prisons.
Pastor Mike is excited to serve alongside Pastor Anderson at Lighthouse Baptist Church as assistant pastor. Outside of ministry, he’s an avid outdoorsman with a particular love for fishing—his favorite hobby. He has competed in several fishing tournaments and has enjoyed fishing on Lake Huron, the Detroit River, and Lake Erie. He’s also ventured to various islands in his bass boat to explore and take in the beautiful scenery.
With a heart for ministry, Pastor Mike looks forward to seeing how God will use the church to lead many souls to salvation and support families in their spiritual growth under the biblical preaching of Pastor Anderson.