Christian Books, Rare, Dramatic Audio Books: Character Building Books

Board of Directors

The Lamplighter Board of Directors is the governing body of Lamplighter Ministries International, a 501 C-3 non-profit organization. The Board of Directors does not make policy but governs the policies, plans, and goals which have been set in motion by the Executive Director and staff. This governing role is critical to helping the organization achieve its mission and goals, as well as the following responsibilities:

1. Though Lamplighter’s Board of Directors contributes in Wisdom, Wealth, and Work as the Lord leads, the board’s primary role is as a catalyst for creative ideas and oversight of the following:

5. A board of directors also has certain legal obligations, known as duties. While the details may vary from state to state, here are some common legal responsibilities for members of non-profit boards:

6. While the board has many responsibilities, there are also things it should avoid. Board members should avoid being over- or under-involved. More specifically, the Board of Directors should not:

Advisory Board:
The Advisory Board contributes in much the same way as the Board of Directors but does not have a vote in decision making and does not share in the legal responsibilities. The advisory role, however, is in every way one of the most important roles for Lamplighter Ministries.

Lamplighter Ministries International

Who We Are:
Lamplighter is a ministry committed to bringing redemptive hope to a lost world. Our mission is “making ready a people prepared for the Lord, by building character, one story at a time.” Our mission statement is drawn from Luke 1:17, in which Luke quotes from Malachi 4:6. The genius of what Luke did in quoting Malachi was that he removed the phrase, “the curse” and replaced it with “making ready a people prepared for the Lord.” On the surface this may not seem significant, but what Luke is teaching is that in order for the hearts of fathers to turn toward their children (to understand their role and responsibilities as fathers), and in order for the hearts of the children to turn toward their fathers, we must disciple by making ready a people prepared for the Lord. The word “ready” refers to internal preparation (ready-- ετοιμα´ζω) and “prepared” refers to providing the external preparation (prepared—κατασκευα´ζω).

Lamplighter can be described as an organization committed to developing internal Christ-like character while inspiring external career excellence so that, as Christ followers, they will attract others to ask the reason of the hope that is in them.
Lamplighter is a ministry that brings hope. Everything that Lamplighter does is filtered through our mission of Luke 1:17. The purpose of developing Christ-like character and career excellence is to cultivate a hope that never disappoints.
In Romans 5 we read this truth: “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope never disappoints.” The reason Christ-like character is so vital, is that character is the foundation of hope. In a world where broken relationships, broken covenants, lack of self control, perversion, dishonesty, and greed have become commonplace, children and adults need to be taught, encouraged, and inspired by role models who exemplify sacrificial, enduring character. The more one endures difficulty, the more character he possesses, and the more hope is realized. With hope, a person is now prepared to face further challenges which helps grow his faith in a God in whom nothing is impossible and never disappoints.

Lamplighter desires to be a blessing to all the people of the world. This blessing however must start first and foremost at home. If we are not a blessing in our marriages, with our children, in our homes, with our neighbors, in our communities and churches, we will not reach the fullest potential of this blessing. Others are primarily attracted to us from what they see in us. From this blessing from within, it is our desire here at Lamplighter to be a blessing to you and your family. It is our sincere desire to come along side of you and your family and provide inspiration, insight, encouragement and prayer. We truly desire to bless you so that you can pass this blessing on to others. This blessing will be realized through your interaction with us and the resources, biblical insights, prayer, and genuine concern that we will have for you and your family. Lastly, this blessing can be realized through Lamplighter’s global presence and platform. With your contribution of ideas and strategies, your personal goals to serve Christ can be realized through our joint partnership to serve our Savior.

Where We Are Going:
Within the scope of our mission, we are proclaiming biblical truths through stories which bring redemptive hope, leading to Christ-like character development and the pursuit of excellence. Through the avenues of teaching, life-transforming literature, audio dramas (radio and cd), and video (film and television) as well as the internet, social networking, and various publications, Lamplighter is telling the story of redemptive hope in a way that is unique, attractive, contemplative, compelling, inspirational, instructive, and memorable. We are currently telling this redemptive story through:

Through these four strategic paths of opportunity, we are moving forward to fulfill the following goals for future production, creation, organization, and expansion of Lamplighter Ministries:

Production
Each Lamplighter book and audio drama is filled with scriptural quotes and biblical insights. Preparations have been made for the production of study guides for each book and audio drama. With the creation of a Lamplighter Study Guide, we will generate an increase in revenue ($40,000) and market size (schools, churches, and homeschooling families) while providing reinforcement of the truths communicated in each story.
Because of a growing interest in our illustrated books, it is our goal to produce two to four illustrated books per year. This will generate projected revenues of $50,000 annually.

Create
Lamplighter is now in a position to develop feature films, animation, and claymation. A quality story is the foundation for a great film, and the current eight Lamplighter stories that have been produced for radio drama are perfectly suited for adaptation in animation, claymation, and film. This endeavor, once realized, will produce substantial increases in market share and revenue sources. As a nonprofit organization, it is our goal that each new start-up be self-sustaining within the first two years.

Organize
1. Writing the script is the foundation for a successful audio drama or film production. It is also the most demanding and expensive part of the production. With sufficient start-up capital to invest in script writing, we will be able to schedule productions for both the US and London studios, allowing us to secure actors and studio time months in advance. Our present situation allows for only a week or two lead time. Such rigid schedules, along with the requirement to produce one new weekly drama for radio stations, are causing much stress for our team of twenty members. We are privileged to have Philip Glassborow (producer and accomplished writer for the BBC in London) and Chris Fabre (writer for the Anne of Green Gables production) standing by and desirous to write for Lamplighter Theatre.

2. It has been the goal of Executive Director, Mark Hamby, to create a gathering similar to Francis Schaeffer’s L’abri in Switzerland, where people gather for instruction and inspiration. After several years of negotiation with the owners of the prestigious Mohonk Mountain House and Preserve in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Lamplighter has been granted approval to hold their event there.
We are pleased to announce that we have masterful instructors who will teach at this event, including Dr. Warren Gage from Knox Theological Seminary. This three-day event will have an emphasis in Bible teaching, parenting and marriage seminars, career preparation and mentoring. Guests will also enjoy Mt. Mohonk’s health and fitness center, premiere horticultural design, exquisite culinary cuisine, and a memorable experience navigating the famous “Lemon Squeeze” rock climb. This special event is an essential part of our mission to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” It is the foundation upon which to formulate plans for future events hosted by Lamplighter, which will contribute to the spiritual growth of its attendees.
It is Mark’s desire to see this event expand to include an apprenticeship week whereby master teachers will instruct and inspire, helping students to see firsthand the preparation involved in reaching a level of mastery.

Expansion
Having reached maximum capacity for workable space in our present facility, in order to ensure efficiency and plan for future growth, it is necessary to build or buy a facility that allows for the following additions to Lamplighter Ministries:

1. Recording Studio
With the expansion of our radio and TV outreach and conference speaking, we believe that now is the time to build a recording studio for audio and video. Weekly recordings will allow us to market Mark’s teachings and capture his passion as he articulately describes each story for our listeners. These recordings will be linked on a variety of web-based social networks and will be made available to distributors such as CBD who use this type of technology to sell their products.
Once the recording studio has been built, a natural next step would be to purchase a radio channel and start a local/distant broadcast that would feature our content as well as a mix of other teachers and music. Our own recording studio would lend itself to the eventual cultivation of a special effect sound studio and recordings of both student and professional acting, thus saving the ministry a substantial amount of money in recording costs and travel.

2. Art Department
As the demand for our illustrated books increases, we will need more room to accommodate an increased number of illustrators. Additional space will allow us to mentor apprentices who would learn from our designers and help with some of the preparatory steps involved in preparing an illustrated book.

3. Office Space, Shipping
Office space for additional staff, including Operations Officer, Development Director, Marketing Director and customer service representatives are essential if we are to keep up with our current and projected future growth. With an expanded facility we will have the opportunity for strategic planning meetings during business hours as well as a more adequate facility for shipping. Currently we are working out of two facilities, as we warehouse our books twenty miles from our office.

How We Plan to Get There:
This has been a significant year for Lamplighter Ministries. In 2009 God’s favor has allowed us to accomplish the following:

Generating Revenue:
With the current scale of growth, generating revenue is a high priority for the Executive Director and the Lamplighter staff. The following strategies will enable us to fulfill many of the goals listed in this report:

We are held financially accountable to David Haldeman, Attorney at Law and CPA. David has oversight for all of Lamplighter’s financials and legal advice.

Exodus 36, Leviticus 1-10, 11-18, 19, 20-27; Deut. 8:2,3; Psalm 19, 119; Proverbs; Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 33:3; 52:31-34 and Matthew 1; Malachi 4:6 and Luke 1:17; Romans 5, 12; James 4:6-10;
I Peter 5:5,6; II Peter 1

I just wanted to share with you how God has used Lamplighter in our home. I read Teddy's Button to both my boys (9 and 6). What a wonderful book it is. From the beginning of the story my oldest son Sam really began to connect to the character of Teddy. God's timing is perfect. My son is now a soldier for the Lord!!! We have had many talks about salvation, but this book made it so clear to him. He shared that he was having the same struggles as Teddy and that he finally understood what he had to do. He prayed and enlisted as a soldier for the KING. When he finished he was immediately filled with tears of joy. He described it as the excitement you feel when you wake up on Christmas morning. As a mother I am so proud of him and I thank God for such a gift.

I know that so many lives are touched by these stories, but I am ever so grateful for your service in sharing the love of Christ through such great literature.

Lamplighter is filling a DYNAMIC void right now. Excellent quality literature…and I love that you’re doing audio ministry now, too! I’m sold!! I pray for God’s richest blessings on all of Lamplighters’ endeavors as you strive to keep it exactly what is honoring and glorifying to God! Thank you, again!!
K.

I just watched the Atlanta interview and the behind the scenes in London !!! I cried !!!! How powerful and anointed the message of Christ and the hope of the Gospel shines through!!! Mark, I especially cried when you shared the testimony of your Dad !!!! I know so many whose Fathers are not believers, yet, and they need to hear this!!! I am praying for you all and for miracle provision for Lamplighter Ministries!!! You should send some of the books to President Obama and his family!!!!!
Praying for all of you and for the new board members who God will bring to continue the vision of "making ready a people prepared of the Lord!" It is truly a privilege to be part of His Glorious Kingdom which will never end!!!! Our family is so thankful to have been tremendously blessed and inspired by God and His Word, through your lives, your eternal vision, and your ministry for His Glory!!!!!!! We love you all !!!!!! Love and prayers,

My family just discovered your audio dramas after we received the last catalog. I find myself looking forward to new episodes being added online to hear even more than my kids do, I think. We are thoroughly enjoying listening to Charlie's Choice and can't wait to hear episode 4. At the end of each episode my daughter says, "No, they can't leave off there, we have to find out what happens!" Last week my son kept staring intently at the computer screen and told me, "Mom I just want to see what is happening on the screen." Our society has been so conditioned to only appreciate visual entertainment. Thank you for the quality products you are producing and for encouraging precious family time spent together.

We had the privilege of hearing Mark and meeting him personally at the FPEA convention this past May in Orlando. We have listened to many of his cd's before and since. We appreciate his passion for children and his encouragement to us to raise them up in a spirit of grace. Thank you so much for your ministry. We have been blessed by it.
Sincerely, Laura

Our family will be praying for your ministry and your careful selection of board members. We have been very blessed by Lamp Lighter publications. Thank you for the work you do in compiling a noble, character building library for families who seek to raise their children for the glory of God. These wonderful books have a very important place in our family library.

Board of Directors & Advisory Board Guidelines

Quotes