History
LIGHT began with a desire to see more members of the church actively sharing the wonderful message of health and salvation.
With the understanding that many will work if they are only taught how to begin, we knew the greatest need was to make short training courses available to everyone. In 2005 two experimental training programs were field-tested in a Western European and a Central Asian country to see what would result. The success of these programs encouraged us to organize LIGHT to better facilitate the global expansion of medical missionary work. Through the help of various ministry leaders in Outpost Centers International, ASI, and Wildwood Lifestyle Center, LIGHT was developed.
In 2008 ASI, under the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, accepted LIGHT as an official member organization. Since that time LIGHT has trained tens of thousands of people in more than 100 countries.
Vision
To mobilize church members to reach every people group with the gospel through health evangelism.
Mission
Core Values
- Dedicated – Working sacrificially to advance mission
- Compassionate – Practically demonstrating Christs love
- Balanced – Assuring all materials are biblically and scientifically validated
Strategies
- Train – Providing resources, curriculum, and instruction for church members globally
- Mobilize – Engaging every church member as a medical missionary
- Develop – Mentoring individuals and institutions for effective service, helping disciples become disciple-makers
Divisional Directors
Ron & Carin Lynch
Ron and Carin are graduates of the Medical Missionary Program at Wildwood Center for Health Evangelism. Before joining LIGHT, Ron operated health food stores, and Carin worked as a supervisor for social workers and nurses. Now serving as North America Division Directors, they lead training programs that equip pastors and church members to reach their communities through health evangelism and the Three Angels’ Messages.
Carin also teaches plant-based cooking at the Wildwood Lifestyle Center. She holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University and completed the Forks Over Knives culinary program. She has appeared on 3ABN’s Today Cooking Show and authored the cookbook Plant-Based Made Simple.
Angie Sánchez
Angie has worked as a Peruvian physician since 2006 and, in 2013, has found her passion in connecting with people through mental health counseling. While doing her Master in Family Therapy in 2015, she came in contact with the true biblical health message and became acquainted with the LIGHT Ministry two years later. She took the medical missionary training in 2018 in Chile and since then worked with LIGHT as an instructor and teacher for Peru and Ecuador.
Linda Bentancurt
Linda has a deep interest in health and disease prevention. She holds an RN and a BSN in nursing and has worked in various nursing capacities. She has been involved with LIGHT since 2009, especially in South America. She is married to Pablo, and they are raising their precious son, Jonathan. She enjoys sharing God’s love and teaching others how to prevent disease, as well as healthy cooking and baking, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Alexander Deis
Alex is passionate about missions and ministries that support the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For over 15 years, he has collaborated with organizations around the world, combining his professional background in graphic design, web design, and digital marketing with a heart for service. He received training in medical missionary work and ministry administration at Wildwood Health Institute in the United States and now serves as Vice President of LIGHT. Alexander lives in Brazil with his wife, Thassiane, and their son, Timothy.
Serghei Costas
Serghei was born in Moldova to an Adventist missionary family and completed his training at the Medical Missionary School in 2004. After graduation, he served as boys’ dean and later as school director. Pursuing his calling in pastoral ministry, he earned a BA in Theology and an MA in Leadership. During a mission trip, Serghei met Anastasiia, who was instrumental in the work; after a year of courtship, they married. In 2008, they joined LIGHT to help expand God’s work in Europe and Africa.
Alain Bautista
Alain and his wife Irene joined LIGHT in 2008 and have a missionary spirit that has taken them from the jungles of the Philippines to the bustling city of Jakarta. They passionately share the gospel through medical missionary work and cherish spending time with their sons, Kenneth and Kyle. Alain currently serves as LIGHT’s Divisional Director for the South Pacific.
Board
Our board members share a common commitment to see LIGHT grow and develop as an organization. Collectively the board has years of experience in missions, evangelism, health education, curriculum development, clinical experience, counseling, business, and more.
