Church of the Holy Light/Belfast!
Pastor Tom and Pastor Brenda Ventura
photos: Aspen Ventura
Church of the Holy Light
A BIT OF HISTORY....Belfast, Maine
Pastors Tom and Brenda Ventura are ordained ministers
who live in Belfast, Maine with their three children.
Tom grew up in New York City before moving out west
to San Francisco where he went to college. His wife grew
up in Maine, and the two met out west where they wed
over 18 years ago. The couple have many family members
in the area and have all their roots set firmly in the ground
in Maine. The couple has lived in Maine for the last 18 years.
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY LIGHT was founded in a little
church in rural Maine 9 years ago before moving the church
to the pastor's hometown of Belfast.
WHY IS THE CHURCH CALLED "CHURCH OF THE HOLY LIGHT?"
It is call the CHURCH OF THE HOLY LIGHT because the church
members "try" to emulate the HOLY LIGHT of JESUS to the
world, and tries to live to the scriptual dictate "Be holy, because
I am holy." Also JESUS is the LIGHT of the world. He is the
HOLY LIGHT, and the church attemps to be as well.
WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS IT?..........
The Church of the Holy Light is a very
relaxed non-denominational Christian church
whose purpose is to reach folks who might be
looking for a less traditional sort of church that
still teaches from the Holy Bible.
The church is non-judgemental towards everyone
that walks through the door, and no one thinks
themselves better than anyone else.
The teachings are all from the Bible in a witty and
"down-to-earth" style and the worship music is
contemporary.
WHAT IS THE "ATMOSPHERE" LIKE?..........
The Church is "laid-back". There are cafe
style tables set up throughout the church which
might resemble a coffee house more than a church.
Coffee, tea, and the like are offered throughout
the service in a self-serve manner. Children are
very welcome in the church and the sanctuary is
in a large and sunny space located in downtown,
Belfast. It is located on the second floor of a
historic building with views of the bay. We like
to think of ourselves (up on the second floor) as
being a "little closer to heaven" than most churches!
What about the kids?....
Everyone (kids and adults) remain in the church during the
music/worship portion of the service. After the offering is
taken up the pastor "releases" children age 3-12 to the
Children's Church room (actually two rooms), where the
children are taught age appropriate Bible stories.
