Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Bates.
Hi Ron, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My wife and I spent twenty years serving in Associate Pastor roles at two different churches (10 years each) before following God’s call in our early forties to move to Willis, Texas, and launch The Light Church. We held our very first service on January 8, 2006, at Lynn Lucas Middle School and continued meeting there weekly for about three years. By year three, we were breaking ground on our first building. Since then, we have expanded and built two additional buildings for a total of 55,000 square feet.
In this last year, The Light has grown in attendance by 40 percent and is looking for ways to make room for the influx of families God is sending our way. We currently offer two Sunday services and are prayerfully preparing to add a third. Our church is home to vibrant ministries for every age and stage—children, youth, women, men, worship, groups, missions, and community outreaches—creating many opportunities to grow in faith, belong, and use your God-given gifts.
Our mission is simple but powerful: “Love God, Love People, Shine His Light!”
This coming January 8, 2026, we will joyfully celebrate The Light Church’s 20th Anniversary, a testament to God’s faithfulness and the incredible people who make this church family shine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the greatest challenges we faced—and one where we truly saw the Lord come through—was during the construction of our first building in 2008. We had met with the bank, and everything was in order for our loan. On Friday, the loan officer assured us that all looked great. But by Monday, everything changed—the bank called to tell us our loan was on hold because of the nationwide banking crisis.
We did the only thing we knew to do: we prayed. About a month later, a man who worked for a bond company happened to drive by, he contacted us and helped us establish a bond issue, and before long, we were able to move forward and build our first building.
God always makes a way!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Light Church is blessed with an incredible team of staff and volunteers who serve with love and excellence. We are passionate about studying the Word of God, cultivating a heart of worship, and pursuing both evangelism and discipleship.
Throughout the week, we offer free counseling services to those who call The Light home, as well as maintain a food pantry to support our community. During the holidays, we come together to bless families in need—providing complete Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gifts for single parents and their children.
Christ gave everything for us, and we are called to reflect that same heart of generosity and love toward others. As John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
No luck at all. It’s always been Jesus. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelightcf.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightchurch_people
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightchurchpeople
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLightChurchTX
