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
This is the best time to join a Lighthouse. Groups aim to welcome new members at the start of the season and in January, but some may be able to receive additional people mid-year as capacity allows.
What's Next?
1. Learn more about Lighthouses
Read this Lighthouse Member Expectations booklet to learn more about how you can flourish as a Lighthouse member.
2. Find your Lighthouse
Browse active Lighthouses by region, life stage, or meeting day.
3. Sign Up Online
Sign-ups are open from August 24 – September 7, 2025.
Choose a group that fits your schedule and season of life.
4. 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?
We want to clear the path and help you take your next step toward deep Christian community. Here are a few easy ways to get prepared:
1. Attend Basic Training
Through Basic Training you will receive a practical overview of what Lighthouses are, how they work, and what you can expect. You’ll also learn how to find one that fits your schedule and season of life.
2. Come to a Lighthouse Interest Meeting
These gatherings offer a deeper look at the mission, vision, and culture of our Lighthouse ministry. It’s the perfect space to ask questions, hear stories, and discern if now is your time to join a Lighthouse. Dates cycle, check the Events page to find out when the next one is.
3. Reach out directly
Have a question? Want help figuring out your best next step? Email Bruce Jones at bruce@wearecitylight.org to get connected today.
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. This is the best time to join a Lighthouse.
Groups aim to welcome new members at the start of the season, but some may be able to receive additional people mid-year as capacity allows.
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The start-of-season window is the easiest time to join a Lighthouse, since most groups are opening their doors and beginning fresh together. If you miss it, don’t worry — some groups may still be able to welcome new people mid-season as space allows. Reach out, and we’ll help you find the best next step toward joining a Lighthouse.
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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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Sometimes a group’s schedule, location, or dynamic may not feel like the perfect match. We encourage you to stay committed for the season if possible, because the deepest relationships often grow through patience, honesty, and walking with people even when it feels stretching.
That said, we know real life doesn’t always line up neatly. If you’re struggling, please talk with your Lighthouse Leader — they will listen, pray with you, and help you discern whether to stay or consider a healthy transition into another group if space is available.
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It is highly encouraged that you join a Lighthouse in the region where you live, but it is not mandatory. However, by joining a Lighthouse nearby to where you live, you put yourself in a position to:
Have deeper community through proximity.
Serve the members of the neighborhoods that you call home.
If there is no Lighthouse in your region that fits what you’re looking for, of course you should venture outside of your region. That said, we encourage you to choose the Lighthouse closest to where you live that does fit what you’re seeking.
