LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY PARTNERSHIP DAY
Last week Thursday, several of us from CCSW were invited to visit Lighthouse Academy inVilliersdorp for their Partnership Day.
Lighthouse Academy is a school for children from low-income families in the Villiersdorp area. It was started by Stuart and Adele Barrow three years ago as they answered God’s call on their lives to provide excellent education with a strong Christian foundation to these children. Stu and Adele approached CCSW to partner with them and we were privileged to accept, formally sending them out as mission partners at one of our services in 2023.
The school is currently based on Lochland Farm just outside the town. They have a total of 80 children between four classes (Grade RRR to Grade 1). The children attend the academic and sports programme from 07:30 to 16:00, and receive 2 cooked meals and 2 snacks every day. As of 2025, Lighthouse has employed a full-time Bible worker who develops their Bible curriculum and disciples the children, able to focus specifically on their spiritual state and growth. They hope to grow the school by 1 class each year until, in 2031, they reach Grade 7.
The CCSWers joined a range of other partners (business owners, local farmers, friends) for a tour of the school and grounds, where each class gave us a special ‘performance’ (e.g. the Grade 1s counted to 100 in 5s, the Grade Rs recited a poem, the Grade RRRs recited a memory verse). A few of the board and staff members gave brief talks, sharing about their role in, and heart for, the work of Lighthouse Academy.
We were encouraged by this family who have devoted themselves, their hearts and earthly lives, to Jesus, to see His kingdom come in the lives of these little ones. We were encouraged by the team they have around them, working diligently for the same. May God bless them as, in His grace and mercy, they give the children hope and opportunities for this life that far exceed their circumstances, but also solid hope for eternity.
We are privileged as a church family to partner with them and urge you to keep them in prayer.
To learn more about Lighthouse Academy, visit www.lighthouseacademy.org.za.
You can find out about how to sponsor a child, as well as other opportunities to give or become involved.
To learn about mission-related activities and opportunities for practical support of our other mission partners, join the CCSW Mission Updates WhatsApp group – contact Amy Allen (072 268 1262) to add you to the WhatsApp group.