A new Christian student ministry opened Uptown in January to join Christian students from two college campuses ' and to provide a place to hang out.
The L.I.G.H.Thouse, 42 1/2 S. Court St., is a venue where students can come to further spirituality, meet other students of faith, study or simply watch TV in a nonthreatening environment
said Matt Thomas, a campus minister who travels between Ohio University and Hocking College campuses providing spiritual services to those who request them.
Thomas said the group acquired the space on Court Street on Oct. 1, and L.I.G.H.Thouse officially opened Jan. 14. Thomas joined members of the Blackburn Hill Church of Christ and students involved with the Christian organization L.I.G.H.T. at OU and Hocking, to renovated the space by painting, building walls and acquiring furniture. It cost about $5,000 for the initial reconstruction, Thomas said.
L.I.G.H.Thouse is an offshoot of the Christian organization L.I.G.H.T. ' Living In God's Holy Truth ' a registered student organization at both OU and Hocking that tries to provide opportunities for people to grow spiritually Thomas said. About 25 students are active in each campus' organization.
Before the L.I.G.H.Thouse was established, L.I.G.H.T. members congregated at the Blackburn Hill Church of Christ, 6545 S. Blackburn Road, for programs, said David Brothers, a minister at Blackburn Hill. But it was difficult for many students to get to that location because it is a few miles from Uptown.
The congregation at Blackburn Hill decided that a central place was needed for the student groups, and they decided to pursue the L.I.G.H.Thouse because it is a vital outreach to do it in that specific area he said.
Funding for L.I.G.H.T-house comes from private financial support from Blackburn Hill Church of Christ and OU alumni who wanted to see this happen
Thomas said.
L.I.G.H.Thouse includes a cozy den-type area with couches, chairs and a 50-inch LCD TV. Students can play ping-pong and read and check out books from L.I.G.H.Thouse's resource center. They also can study, use L.I.G.H.Thouse's wireless Internet or have a cup of free coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Right now, only the front portion of the building is renovated, but Thomas said he hopes to finish the back portion as a private study area.
Thomas also said he hopes to have a set schedule of events soon. L.I.G.H.Thouse hosted a Super Bowl party Sunday, and it will offer alternative Saturday night activities Uptown, including watching movies and hanging out. Students also can meet every Friday at noon for a prayer lunch, Thomas said.
Popularity of L.I.G.H.Thouse is growing quickly, Thomas said. About 15 to 25 people stop in on any give day during L.I.G.H.Thouse's operating hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Although it's a Christian-based organization, Thomas said that any and all students are welcome to come hang out, regardless of faith or religious orientation.
Michael Dodson, a second year environmental and plant biology graduate student at OU, has been a member of L.I.G.H.T. since last year. The location of L.I.G.H.Thouse will make the group a little more well-known, he said.
I really think it's going to let us be more visible to people
he added.
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Matt Thomas, (center) joins hands with Brandon Peterson and Lucas and Charity Eichar during the weekly Friday Prayer at the L.I.G.H.Thouse.
