The Onesimo Lighthouse Community
Since most of the clients of Onesimo who went out from its program have difficulty overcoming life’s problem, some concerned Christians have helped and support them to carry the unbearable burden of independence. However, since most of them has no spiritual mentor and discipler, and if nobody will guide them, they are easily succumbed to temptations, thus, once again they will return back to their old way of life.

Thus, the Lighthouse Community (formerly Ex-Onesimo) was organized to prevent the inevitable “pagbalik sa dating buhay” of our clients as they complete and depart from our program. Immediately upon discharge from the program, the OLC will do the follow up those clients to ensure their continuous service to God. The OLC will be their guiding light as they walk to the real world outside Onesimo Center.

The Lighthouse people will be there to assist and support the next generation of Onesimo clients who will be going out in the OFI program. The community will be their backbone in the area of Spiritual aspect, Psycho- social and, hopefully, eventually in the Material/Financial aspect of their life.

Lighthouse Community Members

1.   They are the former clients of Onesimo who  underwent the training program and have stayed in the center for at least one and half year.
2.   Immediate families of the former Onesimo as stated  above.
3.   Relatives, friends, neighbours and acquaintances of former Onesimo who are willing to participate in all programs of the Lighthouse Community.

Programs and Activities

1. Monthly Community Fellowship

This is a once a month get-together whose main purpose is building the members relationship. It’s another way of knowing the members of the Lighthouse in a deeper sense. Praying, eating and singing and listening to the Word together, are the major components of the activity.

The regular venue of the activity are the following; Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, Quezon Memorial Circle, Eco-Park, U.P. Park and Balara Filtration Plant Swimming Pool.

Another purpose of the activity is to encourage them to attend the church regularly every Sunday.

2. Annual Family Retreat

This is a once a year retreat for the family of the member. The main focus of the activity is the bonding of the family and spiritual strengthening. It is also the time where the husband and the wife can spend their time together intimately.

3. Singles Spiritual Retreat

A three day spiritual retreat for the singles refreshing their moments with the Lord. It is normally being held in Camp Rock. Reminiscing their yesteryears in Onesimo centers.

4. Quarterly Prayer Mountaineering

We value the importance of prayer, specially when we are in need. Concentrating to pray in a very noisy environment were very difficult. So the group decided to conduct the quarterly prayer mountaineering to have a moment of peace in the presence of God. As they promised, they will always include the Onesimo in their prayers and even the sponsors of OFI.

5. Weekly Home Bible Studies

This weekly gathering is an effective tool in reaching the families of the former Onesimo clients and their neighbors. It is being facilitated by the staff. The current Bible Study Schedules are as follows:

1. Payatas Home Bible StudyThursday 7:00 PM
2. Project 8 Home Bible StudyFriday
3. Makati (Antel Building)Thursday 2:00 PM

The Bible Study are being requested by the members for their spiritual nourishment.

6. Family/Couples Counseling 

Some members have marital and family problems. There are times that they cannot solve it by themselves. They need someone who can mediate between them. The staff are the regular mediator for them. However, there are some cases that the staff cannot handle anymore. So, we have asked some volunteer counselor to do the counseling for the couples and the families.

7. Marriage Enrichment Seminar

Ever since the first Marriage Enrichment conducted two years ago, the response was overwhelmingly positive. The members have asked the staff to continue doing it because it help the couple revitalize the intimacy of their relationship. Since then, the activity became a program, targeting the couples of the Onesimo Lighthouse Community (OLC) specially those who are experiencing rock in their marriage.

8. Lighthouse Savings Program

LSP was launched to teach the members to save money to think and look for the future. We would like to impart the principles of Good Stewardship in all the members of Onesimo Lighthouse Community (OLC).

The staff said it would be a great help if there will be a seed money for the maintenance in the bank, but the following savings and deposits will be coming from the members. In fact they have started savings already.

9. Livelihood Program for the Members of OLC

There is no doubt that some of our members are still living below poverty line. Although, they have succeeded to leave their vices behind, but the fact of poverty still in their life. Thus this program will be of great help for the members to increase their income and augment their needs.

10. Scholarship Assistance for the Children of the Members

As the funds will permit it, the community would like to launch this program to help the members, send their kids to school. The former clients of Onesimo who have stayed in the program for one and a half years can avail of the assistance. Although, few of our friends have expressed their support to pray for the success of the program. Only school supplies will be provided by OLC for every two kids of OLC couples during the opening of the school year.

11. Mass Wedding

Last year, the wedding of the four couples were sealed in Onesimo Office, attended by friends and relatives of the couples. There were a lots of affirming words coming from the spectators and friends. Thus, they wanted to make it one of the programs since there are still many former Onesimo (living in with their partners and has no blessing of marriage) who wanted to get married legally yet has problems in organizing and financing it.

12. Home Visitation

It is being done to assure the former client that the OLC has their support. And to make them feel that they are still important in Onesimo. They are also being encourage to attend not only of the community’s activities but the local Christian Church in the area.