Lighthouse Baptist Church - Lemon Grove, California

Jason Bennett

I travel a decent bit and find myself in a lot of different Baptist churches.

This ministry is one of the most vibrant I’ve ever visited. I was blessed by the preaching and the friendly congregation.

The Lord may just be calling me to San Diego to join this church

Eric Araiza-Le

CLEARLY if anyone comes to this church they will realize what an amazing part of this community it is,Giving back to the community and making America great again.
Members are passionate about this church and the community it serves. It's wonderful to see people coming together to share their talents, serve others, and spread love and positivity. Community involvement and giving back are essential for making a positive impact and fostering a sense of unity. Members dedication to this church and community is truly inspiring.

Sara Brown

Intrusive ignorant people. I CLEARLY have no soliciting posted on my door but they still insist on leaving trash selling their business in my door. Just stop, your freedom or religion doesn't mean you can trespass where you aren't wanted, or that you can leave trash on doors that clearly have no soliciting signs (which also clearly include religion among many things). Not only do you ignore the sign you out the trash right next to the sign. Do better, AND have your minions 1. Learn how to read and 2. If they know how to read have them take a reading comprehensive class.

Frank Frankland

I was attending for 12 years, the English didn't give the Spanish a baptistry for 7 years while they bought tuxedos for their leadership conferences. I was under Doug Fisher and Gil Torres. Emanuel was taken out at the same time Gil Torres's wife died. I just thought I'd let everybody know. Would you like to know what we learned from our errors? #1. No "table pulpits" Isaiah 47. #2. Mono hierarchical (non-staff) church, John 10, 13:5-17, 34, 35, Matthew 6:24, 20:20-28, 23:1-8, Hebrews 3, James 3:1-13. The pastor must hold seven meetings a month with key ministries. #3. Non-denominational. Proverbs 1. #4. No public (Internet) broadcasting. John 17:8-11, Matthew 4:8-10, 6. #5. No bi-lingual church conducts services without a baptistry in plain eyesight with room. #6. No sales of any kind, which includes Christian book store, duplication, and food. A Christian library is acceptable. #7. Be a generation builder. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 16:25.

Allen Sanchez

This is an 'Independent Fundamental Baptist' dispensational/free grace theology church. They teach that salvation is free, you don't have to do anything to be 'saved' other than accept Jesus Christ as your savior. This is accomplished primarily through their strong emphasis on 'soul winning' which means they have you go door to door knocking and asking people 'can I show you in 5 minutes how you can be sure you will go to heaven when you die? They will recite 5 bible verses from 'the Romans road, have you repeat a prayer for 'salvation' and tell you 'you are now saved', and once saved always saved and that you are guaranteed entry into heaven NO MATTER WHAT. If you choose not to take up your cross and obey God, then all you lose is rewards and maybe God will chastise you, but you cannot lose your salvation because its 'free', no commitment required.

This is in sharp contrast to Covenant theology and Lordship salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Their interpretation is that you acknowledge Jesus is Lord, not that He must be the Lord of your life for salvation, but that He is Lord ... well the devils believe this and tremble but don't obey God. The word 'believe in thine heart' also implies obedience and abiding in Christ.

They never explain to you they are a dispensational church and barely mention it in their bible institute which uses the Scofield reference bible as their text and teaches a dual covenant in place, one with the Jews that is yet future to be fulfilled and another one with the 'church' which is merely a parenthesis and one of God's seven dispensations.

This is in sharp contrast to Covenant theology that teaches that the church and Christ have superseded the old covenant with the Jews and that you can only come to God through Jesus, there is no other way.

In Lordship salvation, you surrender your life to God which requires true and ongoing repentance. You are called to carry your cross daily, to deny yourself, to crucify your flesh, to seek to walk in the spirit of God and become His disciple and to persevere to the end, through the trial of your faith by fire, which is what I believe the Bible teaches, but this doctrine is condemned by them. They claim Christ can be your savior without having to be your Lord.

There is a cult of personality and authoritarianism in IFB churches, including this one. While the Bible specifically tells us the pastor is to be an example to the flock and not Lord over them, there is a continual emphasis on blindly obeying the 'anointed man of God' as a Moses figure. They don't teach you how to think about the Bible or consider other historical biblical points of view. Instead, they spoon feed you the doctrines they want you to believe and brow beat you if you don't follow suit. This happens in their bible institutes and colleges as well, which takes in mostly teenagers and turns them into clones, they all teach the same doctrines and think the same way if they are to have any success within fundamentalism.

There is a strong emphasis on Statism, they have a 'God and country day' and promote right wing Trumptard republicanism. the Bible talks about mystery babylon and a false church married to the state, a woman rides the beast.

There is a very strong controversy with the David Gibbs lawyers who frequent this church and the massive cover up of sexually abused children by IFB pastors all over the US that are shuffled around and protected in court by these lawyers to the tune of hundreds of cases.

Yelp continually deletes or puts on the non recommended section at the bottom of the page reviews that are in any way critical of this church, such as ones I have posted before.

There is a complete lack of accountability with the 'leadership' of this church. No one oversees the pastor(s) and what they say goes so the weightier matters of justice, mercy and faith get tossed out the window, the rest of my review is in Yelp.

Carlo

My family and I love Lighthouse Baptist Church! This is truly a wonderful, biblical church. There are many programs and classes for adults, singles, couples, teens and young children. People from all different nationalities and walks of life attend. The people are so friendly and welcoming. There is no judgement. I have been to many churches over the years and know there is no perfect church, but thank God for Lighthouse Baptist Church. It truly is a family of sinners saved by grace. The leaders don't view themselves as better or higher than anyone else. They are all learning and growing in faith together. If you are looking for a biblical church where you and your loved ones can learn about the bible, make new friends and grow in faith, look no further!

Jasmine Wilson

I had the incredible pleasure and honor of attending a church service here recently for the first time. The service was absolutely outstanding in every conceivable way. The Pastor teaches the pure truth from the Bible, the sacred Word of our Creator. I was blessed beyond words to have the incredible privilege and honor of being there.

I noticed that someone wrote a negative review apparently criticizing the church for being anti-gay. Criticizing a church for being anti-gay is like criticizing a church for being anti-adultery. The church is simply accurately and truthfully conveying the teachings of our Creator.

The Bible is the greatest gift this world has to offer. To quote the King James Bible translators, "God's sacred Word...is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth." So true.

I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for the Lord; none of us would. The Bible provides us with desperately needed answers. The words of the Bible are the words of our Creator speaking to us.

As our loving Creator, the Lord has a perspective we can never perceive. He always knows which behaviors and actions are truly in our best interest. Anyone can very easily choose to abide by biblical teachings and be very warmly welcomed, not only by human beings, but by our incredibly loving, forgiving Creator.

Joe Palmer

I live in Texas but wanted to find a good church while visiting San Diego. Lighthouse Baptist Church was not only very welcoming, but very good services. Pastor Fisher's messages were very easy to understand, even to our kids, but the message was very profound and it made me search inward on my life. The Bible says if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged. The preaching made me consider if my life is lining up with the Word of God. Thank you Lighthouse Baptist Church!