About The Lighthouse Christian Church

A vibrant Congregation in small-town McGregor, Minnesota

The Lighthouse Christian Church (“the Lighthouse”) welcomes Christ-seeking worshipers of all ages and backgrounds. We celebrate the Lord with contemporary, live worship and solid Bible-based teachings that focus on the truth that only comes from God. Together, we learn how to live out God’s call to love, serve and spiritually grow and are committed to spread Jesus’ message of salvation to the world.

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Purpose

To know and glorify the God who created us. Share the gospel of salvation and hope with all people everywhere. Grow people to maturity in Christ.

Ephesians 1:12, Matthew 28:19–20, Colossians 1:28

Mission

To love God and love people. Reach out with kindness. Teach biblical Truth. Mentor through fellowship. Grow through prayer and worship. Send out on mission.

Our Core Statements of Faith

1. God

We believe in one living, real and personal God who is infinitely perfect, existing in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit who together created all people, creatures and things.

2. Jesus

We believe that the Son, Jesus, is and has been both fully God and fully human. We believe in His virgin birth as a human, in His life without sin, in His miracles, in His selfless act of dying on the cross to save each person from sin, in His being raised to life from the dead, in His rising to heaven and in His promise to return to earth for His church and to rule with power and glory.

3. Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit as part of God, in His work to spiritually be within the believer, to comfort and give power to the Christian for their life as a believer and their ability to effectively serve God. We believe in the operation of all the spiritual gifts for today through the Holy Spirit.

4. The Bible

We believe that both the Old and New Testaments are God’s truth and without error - reliable as originally given by God. We believe that the Bible is God’s complete and governing will and plan for people.

Read All 10 Statements Of Faith

God. We believe in one real and personal God who is infinitely perfect, existing in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deut. 6:4; Mat.28:19
Jesus. We believe in the full deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His redemptive death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory. Jn. 1:1; Jn. 20:28; Col. 1:14-20; 1 Thess.4:16-18
Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit, in His ministry of indwelling, in His comforting and empowering the Christian for both their walk in sanctification on earth today and their ability to effectively serve God. We believe in the relevancy and operation of all the spiritual gifts today through the Holy Spirit. Jn. 14:15-21; Acts 1:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:1-11
The Bible. We believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant (without error) and are reliable as originally given, that they are verbally inspired by God, and are a complete revelation of God’s will and plan for mankind. These Testaments constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:15-16; 2 Pe. 1:20-21
Humanity. We believe that humanity is the special creation of God and that God made humans in His own image. Gen. 1:26-30
Sin. We believe that in the beginning, humans were innocent of disobedience to God (sin) and that by their free choice, they did sin against God. By that transgression, the entire human race became corrupt. Mankind is therefore universally sinful, separated from God and cannot save themselves from eternal damnation. Gen. 3:1-24; Ro. 3:23; 1 Cor. 15:19-21
Salvation. We believe that God has provided the only way of salvation (restoration) for a sinful humanity. Salvation is therefore freely given to people, not by works but through simple faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ at the cross. Ro. 3:24; 6:23; Eph. 2:8
Baptism. We believe that baptism is the believer’s act of obedience that symbolizes their faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. By the act of baptism, the believer publicly testifies to their identification with the Savior’s death and resurrection. We believe that the only true Christian baptism is done by immersion in water. Mat. 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:41-42; Ro. 6:3-5
Jesus’ Return and Things to Come. We believe that in His Sovereign timing, and in His mighty power, God will bring this world system to an end. Jesus will return personally and visibly, in glory on earth. The dead will rise and Jesus will judge all people in righteousness. The unrighteous will be sent to hell for eternal punishment and the righteous in their new, resurrected bodies will receive their reward and will live forever with God in Heaven. Mat. 6:27;18:8-9;24:27-44;25:31-46; Mk. 9:43-48; Lk. 12:40-48;16:19-26; 17:22-37; Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thes. 4: 14-18; 2 Thes. 1:7-2:17; 2 Pe. 3:7 ff; Rev. 1:1-18; 20:1-22:13
Prayer. We believe firmly in the power of prayer; in communing with our God in awe (reverence), thanksgiving and requests in the name of Jesus Christ. Eph. 6:18

Our Leadership and Staff

Meet The Team

The spiritual oversight, Board Leadership Team and Deacons at The Lighthouse Christian Church (the Lighthouse) consist of ordained clergy and believers who prayerfully guide our faith community into a deeper relationship with Jesus and conduct church and outreach ministries in keeping with God’s word.

Joel Seibel

Senior Pastor/Leadership Team Member

EMAIL JOEL

Get to Know Joel

Joel Seibel and his wife Ellen moved from the Los Angeles area to McGregor in 1982 to enjoy the rural life and raise their five children. While continuing a long-distance Hollywood animation career, Joel began serving as an Elder at Westside Church (Kettle River) where he taught Bible study and grew spiritually.

In 2008 Joel made the move to the Lighthouse (then known as Amazing Grace Christian Church) in McGregor. As God would have it, Joel was called to become the Pastor of the church in 2010 and has made the spiritual welfare and growth of the church his number one priority. His main passion is in teaching this body of believers how to live the kingdom life and follow in Jesus’ footsteps through his Sunday messages and weekly Bible study.

Joel also enjoys Praise and Worship and has served as a member of a worship team for seventeen years. Joel’s heart is clearly set on the things of God, knowing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

Christina McCarty

Associate Pastor/Leadership Team Member

Get to Know Christina

Chris moved to Minnesota from Florida in 1995 with husband and daughter. The three were delighted with the beauty of the area. Regardless of the “serious” first winter they experienced, they stayed because of the wonderful local people in the small towns of Northern Minnesota.

Chris began in ministry by teaching Bible studies in 2006 and subsequently felt called to attend and complete her Master’s programs at King’s University/Seminary and then at Fuller Seminary. She is an ordained minister of the Gospel, regularly sharing Sunday sermons with the congregation and teaching weekly Bible studies.

In addition to relishing time with daughter and her grandsons, Chris immerses herself in the church with a goal “to equip [God’s] people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” - Ephesian 4:12-13

Ellen Seibel

Worship Minister/Leadership Team Member

Get to Know Ellen

Ellen and her husband, Pastor Joel, moved from Los Angeles, Ca, to a farm here in the McGregor area in 1982. This is where they raised their five children… away from the hustle and bustle of a big city. Retiring from her fourteen year career as a Registered Nurse has not only afforded Ellen more time to visit these now-grown children and fifteen grandchildren, but also makes time for her many responsibilities at the church.

With a bubbly, vivacious personality, Ellen exudes joy as she serves Jesus and others in building the kingdom of God. Her energy pours forth as she challenges believers with her Bible class lessons as a lead instructor. This same energy carries over into her service on the McGregor Young Life Steering Committee for teens in our area.

Ellen is also gifted and passionate about worship of the Lord through music and has been serving on worship teams since 1989. Here at the Lighthouse, Ellen accepted responsibility as (interim) Worship Minister in 2020 where she leads the congregation in both Spirit-filled and joyous, contemporary worship to the Lord.

As an ordained minister, Ellen has been led by the Spirit to train in and subsequently spearhead a Deliverance Ministry at the Lighthouse. She is excited to participate with Jesus as He sets people free from spiritual bondage. Her passion is to follow Jesus’ mission to “proclaim freedom to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to set the oppressed free.” - Luke 4:18

Lori Erkenbrack

Children’s Church Leader

Get to Know Lori

Lori lives in Tamarack, MN near McGregor, and keeps very busy with family and a cottage industry business that she and late husband Jay started and built up together.

Lori has been a born again believer since 2014 and has a deep love for the Lord. Aside from her second job with the US Postal Service, Lori’s passion is for the elementary children in the area and in the church. Her focus in service has been and continues to be the Sunday-School department at the Lighthouse. She has a wonderful gift of developing exciting and enjoyable lessons for the kids in our program and has an incredible ability to be creative with the classroom projects.

Lori also has been blessed with a remarkable gift of wisdom from the Lord…a gift we cherish in our church body. Lori’s passion for the children is summed up in that she desires to “…let the Little Children come unto me [Christ], and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Matthew 19:14

Diane Rognrud

Leadership Team Member

Get to Know Diane

Diane and husband, Gary moved to the McGregor area in 2000 from Fridley, Minnesota to enjoy their retirement in the beauty of this great Northland. Diane thoroughly enjoys the beauty of nature all around their lovely house that sits right on a lake.

To our delight at the Lighthouse, Diane made her spiritual home with us in 2013. She has a servant’s heart, helping with everything from church budgeting oversight to preparing the audio-visual programs for Sunday worship services. Diane is also a fabulous teacher for our Bible study program and has brought great spiritual insight and knowledge to our church family.

She has a wonderful ability to “divide the word [of God]” with wisdom and is “a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15b

Brent Amundson

Leadership Team Member

Get to Know Brent

Brent was born in Duluth, Minnesota yet grew up far from home in northeast Nebraska. In 1978 Brent moved back “home” to Minnesota, settling in the area around McGregor. Together with his wife of twenty-three years, Melanie and Brent operate a beef cattle farm and a seasonal greenhouse business together. They have five children and one grandchild thus far.

Baptized in 1993, Brent attended church elsewhere until coming to the Lighthouse (then called Amazing Grace Christian Church) in 2015. Brent joined the Leadership Team in 2022, helping the Team guide the congregational focus and growth in Christ. He has a heart for those needing a helping hand in life to include a great passion for the overseas Missionaries that we support prayerfully and financially.

Brent is dedicated to the truth and the importance of transparency with God, knowing that “…unless you repent, you too will all perish”. - Luke 13:3b

Steve Meld

Leadership Team Member/Deacon

Get to Know Steve

Steve was born south of McGregor in St. Paul, Minnesota yet he grew up in the McGregor area after moving to the area early in life. Steve successfully navigated a 37-year career with MLEC (Power Company) as a lineman and then as an Operations’ Manager. In 2017 Steve started attending the Lighthouse (then called Amazing Grace Christian Church).

Steve is a people person, which aligns perfectly with his gifts and skills from God supporting his desire to serve others and invite non-believers to know a life in Christ. Steve began serving as a Deacon in our church in 2022 and later the same year was asked to join the Leadership Team.

Staying very busy enjoying his sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughters, along with hobbies to include hunting, fishing and gardening, Steve always finds time to serve others. He draws his strength and solace from the Lord and trusts God’s words in the 23 Psalm “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (I shall not want)…”

Mike Parnell

Leadership Team Member/Deacon

Get to Know Mike

Mike was born and raised in Gering, Nebraska and traveled during his 44-year career in the optical manufacturing field. He retired and moved to the McGregor area in 2020 with his wife Deb who unfortunately passed away shortly thereafter. In his search to know the Lord more deeply, Mike began attending the Lighthouse that same year and gave his life to Jesus and was baptized in summer of 2021.

With a heart towards service and care-giving, Mike has found greater meaning at the Lighthouse where he can bless others by ministering to them. He is always at the ready to drive people to appointments, check on them in their homes and even shovel snow to help out. His heart to help was a perfect spiritual fit for a Deacon position for our fellowship which he accepted in 2023.

Beyond family, friends and service, Mike enjoys being a member on the Praise and Worship team, giving glory to the Lord through music. His joy comes from serving which he believes is in keeping with Galatians 5:13c “serve one another humbly in love.”

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Sunday AM Services: Adults 10:45 Kids 10:30
Sunday PM Services: Adults 4:30 Kids 4:00

About The Lighthouse Christian Church

Purpose

Mission