About the church

Pastor Jon Burdine graduated from Free Gospel Bible Institute in May 1998 and began full-time evangelistic ministry in March 2000. He and his wife, Dana, spent 15 years preaching revivals, youth camps, and kids’ crusades.

They returned to Shelby Street in August 2015, when he became H.O.P.E. Academy principal and assistant pastor. He became pastor of Shelby Street Pentecostal Lighthouse on January 20, 2018.

“I extend an invitation to each of you to visit our church and see and feel for yourself that God’s power is still real and available for us today. We pray that when you come you will find a church that: Loves God’s Word, Lives God’s Way and Lights God’s World!”

— Pastor Jon Burdine

Our primary goal is to be an instrument in God’s hand and vessels for the expansion of His kingdom in spreading the full Gospel, presenting an opportunity for people to come to the knowledge of the truth and to experience Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

Since October 1976, Shelby Street Pentecostal Lighthouse has been shining the Light of Truth across the city and across the world. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible plainly tells us to be saved by grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; sanctified and set apart for His use and His glory; filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance; and to take the Good News to all the world.

If you are looking for a church that believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, seeking an opportunity to worship Him in spirit and truth, or searching for a place to raise your family, please feel free to come as a visitor and leave as part of the family.

1. 01
   We believe in the Bible (Authorized King James Version) to be inerrant, infallible, and inspired by the Holy Ghost 2 Timothy 3:16.
2. 02
   We believe that redemption, remission of sins, and salvation is attained by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and His resurrection from the dead Romans 3:24–26 Romans 10:9.
3. 03
   We believe that the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, these three bear record in Heaven and are the complete function of the Godhead 1 John 5:7.
4. 04
   We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary, who conceived of the Holy Ghost, and brought forth a son and called Him Jesus Luke 1:31–35 Isaiah 9:6.
5. 05
   We believe in the soon coming event; the Catching Away of the Church by our Lord Jesus Christ; Who will receive us (the believers) unto Himself, and then we shall be with Him forever 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17.
6. 06
   We believe in the Promise of the in-filling of the Holy Ghost; which is given to us, to our children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as our Lord God shall call Acts 1:8 Acts 2:38–39.
7. 07
   We believe that Water Baptism, complete submersion, is an act of open confession that we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life Romans 6:3–5 Colossians 2:12.
8. 08
   We believe Christian Education is a mandate given to us by our God, and we as parents should in no way let secular, humanist teachers be instructors of our children. We do not just prefer Christian Education, but it is also our conviction and integral ministry of the Shelby Street Pentecostal Lighthouse Deuteronomy 6.
9. 09
   We believe that Satan is the enemy of all righteousness, the enemy of God and the enemy of all Bible believing Christians. He is the accuser of the brethren, a tempter; deceiver and destroyer, and when Jesus Christ returns, Satan shall be destroyed forever John 10:10 Luke 4:1–13 Hebrews 2:14 Revelation 12:9–10.
10. 10
    We believe in creation not as a theory but as a fact and truth Nehemiah 9:6 Genesis 1:1.
11. 11
    We believe in the depravity of man and that he shall not escape the wrath and judgment of God without a confession of faith in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and repenting of his sins Romans 1:21–32 Romans 10:9–10.
12. 12
    And we further affirm that the eternal state of unbelievers shall be punished forever in the lake of fire called hell. Also we believe that the eternal state of believers shall be in the presence of God forever, living in a place called heaven where there is great peace, joy, and love, and Jesus the Son of God shall be the light of the city. Revelation 21.
13. 13
    We believe that Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and a dedication unto God Romans 12:1–2 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 Hebrews 13:12. It is taught in the Bible as an act of God that changes the nature of man 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24. Man must also realize his responsibility to sanctify himself to God Leviticus 20:7 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Romans 12:1–3 1 Peter 3:15.
14. 14
    We believe in Separation and that the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful practices and association is commanded by God 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Romans 12:1–2 1 John 2:15–17 2 John 1:9–11 2 Corinthians 6:14–182 Corinthians 7:1.
15. 15
    We believe in the sanctity of the human life and that God created every man in His image for His purpose and that abortion of any kind is murder Genesis 1:26–28 Genesis 9:5–7 Exodus 20:13.
16. 16
    We believe that any sexual relationships outside sacredness of marriage is immorally wrong and that anyone living an immorally wrong lifestyle be it adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc, they shall not be permitted to have any leadership, or be a teacher, or play music or anything that the church deems a ministry. We also believe that without genuine repentance of the sinful lifestyles their bodies and souls will be destroyed in hell for all eternity 1 Corinthians 6:9–20 1 Corinthians 7:1–5 Matthew 10:28 Luke 12:4–5.

What does it take to build a church?

Does it take the best lumber? Does it take the strongest stones? Does it take the most famous architect and builder? No. It just takes someone who is willing to let the Lord do what He wants to do. Just like Jesus said, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.”

People like Bige and Martha Carnahan who pastored the Upper Room on South New Jersey St. in Indianapolis during the 1950s.

Then, in 1963, the congregation moved to 9300 South Morgantown Rd. and formed The Glorious Church of God. In the 1970s a new building project began at 8620 South Shelby St. under the direction of Bro. Wayne Grace, while Bro. Bige Carnahan stayed to pastor those at The Glorious Church of God.

In October 1976, Bro. Wayne Grace opened the doors to Shelby Street Pentecostal Lighthouse.

The Lord blessed The Glorious Church of God under the leadership of Bro. Bige Carnahan, Bro. Milton Smith, Bro. John Angela, and Bro. Carlos Burdine, while the Lord blessed Bro. Grace at Shelby St. to build a new sanctuary in 1984 and a new fellowship hall in 2000.

Then the Lord did an amazing work by joining the congregations of The Glorious Church of God with Shelby St. Pentecostal Lighthouse on January 4, 2004.

We are thankful for the 35 years of pastoral ministry by Bro. Wayne Grace and the 25 years of pastoral ministry by Bro. Carlos Burdine. They allowed the Lord to build His church.

Since January 20, 2018, Bro. Jon Burdine pastors Shelby St. Pentecostal Lighthouse, and we want the Lord to continue to do what He does best — build His church.