Reformers Unanimous (RU) is a program designed to help those who are struggling with addiction or who wish to break bad habits. The group meets on Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse Baptist Church at 80 Apple Avenue, north of Gettysburg.
The program was founded in 1995 by Baptist pastors Mr. Steven Curington and Dr. Paul Kingsbury.
Lighthouse Deacon and program leader Jeremy Moore said, “My pastor, Bob Gray, had a burden for people who were struggling with addiction and stubborn habits. He approached me about what would be needed to start a chapter at our church.”
Moore said there were usually 15 to 20 individuals at the meeting, which is open to people of all ages. There is also a children’s program called “The Kids’ Club” which has a curriculum from the creators of the RU program.
In the first part of the meeting, participants speak to God through prayer and testimonies. They then watch a video focusing on one of the 10 core principles of the program. Moore then takes pray requests from anyone who is willing to share and leads a word of prayer for the group. People are then able to give testimonies of the Lord.
During the second session, men and women separate into respective groups and work on their “challenge workbooks.” Moore said the workbooks were “the discipleship coursework that every individual goes through at their own pace between RU meetings.” He explained that everyone earns points for their efforts and for attending services. The members are then free to talk with each other in their respective groups and pray “about what is on their hearts.”
For the final session, the groups reunite and listen to a message from the word of God. This message is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. There are links to these sermons on the church’s website. Then, a small fellowship follows where the participants can converse with each other.
Moore said, “Everything has been running very smoothly. Even during the pandemic, last year, while the state of Pennsylvania was in the red our church closed its doors temporarily. We then streamed our services online. We used teleconferencing software to be able to meet even though we couldn’t be in the church.”
Moore said some of the members struggled with technology, so a few members were lost. Moore said that currently, “The Lord is blessing and we’re getting more members each time.”
He mentioned how Lighthouse Baptist Church does not change the curriculum like other churches. Moore tries to make the sessions interesting, so they do not become mundane. He does not want the members to become complacent.
“The most fulfilling part for me is seeing how God works through the curriculum to see people change. It’s amazing to know that people who are really struggling come to us after they’ve tried everything else. Folks come to our program and we show them the love of God and how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit does the work in their lives and watches them transform,” said Moore.
Ruffner is the Connection's Community Editor, reaching out to sponsors and subscribers across Adams County. She is a sophomore at Gettysburg College majoring in English and Japanese and hopes to study in Japan.
Ruffner has been on the college deans' list and is part of the Garthway Leadership Program at the College. She excels in leadership and interacting with the public.