Dr. William K. "Bill" Ghrist founded the "Lighthouse for Christ Mission". Initially, although an ophthalmologist, he had to perform under the classification of and was chartered as a general doctor. He would send out letters to other Christian ophthalmologists asking them to help him with his work. Dr. Roger DeHaven, an ophthalmologist in Texas, received such a letter. In 1971 he met Dr. Ghrist and was asked to come to Mombasa, Kenya to participate. Dr. DeHaven accepted this challenge. Dr. DeHaven
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was profoundly moved by the City of Mombasa, and the people of Kenya. There were only 5 Kenyan employees at the mission and no missionaries then. Some of these employees have remained with the mission and are currently working as surgical assistants, pastoring churches, or teaching at the Bible Institute.
Eventually as the work in the eye clinic grew, it became necessary to build additional housing so that the mission director and medical director could move out of the main residence home to create more space in the eye clinic. Dr. Ghrist's original residence then became the Lighthouse for Christ Eye Center. Most of the employees are Kenyan. They are paid just above the average wage in Kenya. Many travel long hours to get to work and the buses, called "matatus" are unreliable. They are taught various skills and work is integrated with bible study. Today this Eye Centre processes about 25,000 patients annually and approximately 2000 eye surgeries are done. Over half of these patients are seen for free. Some of the villages are remote and inhabitants are unable to travel to the clinic. A moblie unit was set up to treat these outlying areas. Thousands are treated annually with hundreds coming to Christ due to this effort.
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In 1977 the "Church on the Roof" was formed. Just as the name implies it was actually built on the roof of the clinic. Prior to this all church meetings were held inside the clinic. Since its inception and through church planting efforts 35 daughter churches have been formed. "Dr. Ghrist's concept of using an eye clinic as a tool for evangelism and a means of training and providing salaries for a core of pastor and church leaders, had an element of genius." Quote from Walter J. Paschall, MD (Dr. Paschall was assistant medical director at the Lighthouse for two years)
In concert with the development of churches, a Bible Institute was established. Kenyans are taught the bible and how to pastor a church or become a lay leader throughout the community. Most of the daughter churches are pastored by these men. The Church on the Roof is now called, "Salama", which means peace. The Bible Institute and the Salama Church team up in a strong Evangelistic effort to reach those in Kenya outside of the influence of the clinic and daughter churches.
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Other facilities include a lab to supplement the Eye Centre, a Carpentry shop to teach skills and facilitate ongoing building projects, guest quarters and limited staff housing. This is an incredible legacy left by Dr. William Ghrist. He died in 1983. His son, Reverend Timothy Ghrist has taken over where his dad left off. Please help us continue this wonderful healing ministry for Christ.