LIGHTHOUSES
Pursuing Christ was never meant to be done alone.
Lighthouses are Citylight's small group ministry!
At Citylight, Lighthouses are more than just small groups — they’re places where you can grow in your faith, build lasting friendships, and live out the mission of Jesus together right where you are. Whether you’re brand new or have been here for years, there’s a seat for you.
How do Lighthouses work?
Lighthouses are where Sunday’s information becomes Monday’s transformation. They’re not just meetings — they’re communities that pray together, grow together, and live on mission together.
Lighthouses meet throughout Northern Virginia from early September through mid-June, with new sign‑ups each August. This helps groups stay healthy, intentional, and welcoming to newcomers.
Sign‑Up Window: August 24 – September 7, 2025
Don’t miss it — Lighthouses only accept new members twice a year.
What's Next?
1. Find your Lighthouse
Browse active Lighthouses by region, life stage, or meeting day.
2. Sign Up Online
Sign-ups are open from August 24 – September 7, 2025.
Choose a group that fits your schedule and season of life.
3. Connect & Grow
Your Lighthouse leader will follow up with you. Groups will begin meeting on/after September 8.
How Can You be Praying for our Lighthouses?
Whether you’re in a Lighthouse or not, you can be part of what God is doing through them by covering them in prayer. Your prayers help shape the spiritual health, unity, and mission of these communities. Please pray:
Pray for deep, Christ‑centered relationships to form and for every member to feel known and cared for.
Pray for open hearts as we dive into God’s Word together each week.
Pray for courage and compassion as Lighthouses serve their neighborhoods and share the hope of Jesus.
Pray that every member of Citylight would find a Lighthouse where they can grow in Christ, live in authentic community, and serve on mission — or where they can lead others to do the same.
Pray for new leaders to be raised up, equipped, and sent out to start more Lighthouses.
Pray for endurance in the faith when life gets busy or difficult, so our light continues to shine.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer — it makes all the difference.
Not Ready for a Lighthouse?
Not ready to commit for a whole season? Missed the sign‑up window? Community Table is your next step — a short‑term, 6‑session group that gives you a taste of biblical community.
Each session you’ll connect over Scripture, share life, and experience a short “Lighthouse Moment” highlighting one core value, rhythm, or practice of our Lighthouses.
It’s a simple, no‑pressure way to meet people, grow in faith, and prepare for a future Lighthouse commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Because life is better when we walk with Jesus together. In a Lighthouse, you’ll grow deeper in your faith, build authentic friendships, and live out God’s mission in everyday life. It’s a space to be known, encouraged, and equipped to follow Jesus. This is where you truly experience the Church for yourself and embody it for the world around you.
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The Lighthouse sign‑up window happens once per year. Our next sign‑up window is August 24 – September 5, 2025. Lighthouses meet from September through June, so joining during the window helps us start the season strong together.
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If you miss the August 24 – September 5 sign‑up window, the next chance to join will be in January. In the meantime, you can join a short‑term Community Table group, which is a six‑session on‑ramp into biblical community.
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No — you don’t have to be a member, but we do encourage Lighthouse participants to make Citylight their home church. Lighthouses are an extension of our Sunday gathering into living rooms across our region. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member, attend on of our Basic Trainings!
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Each Lighthouse has its own personality, but most include time for catching up, studying the Bible (through discussion questions based on Sunday’s message), praying together, and encouraging one another to live on mission.
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Some Lighthouses arrange for childcare, others welcome kids into the meeting. The group listing will note if children are welcome to attend the Lighthouse gathering. For more specifics on how a particular Lighthouse handles their childcare situation, the Lighthouse Leader is the best source of information.
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We know that sometimes a group’s schedule, location, or dynamic may not feel like the perfect match. Because Lighthouses only welcome new members in September and January, we ask that you commit to your current group until the next window. Often, the deepest relationships are formed not in moments of instant comfort, but in the steady choice to walk alongside people even when it feels stretching. Staying through a season like this can build resilience, grace, and a richer kind of love. If you’re struggling, please talk with your Lighthouse Leader — they will listen, pray with you, and help you discern whether to remain or prepare for a healthy transition into another group when the next opportunity opens.
