About Us
Steve and Shanthi Bycroft established Lamp Lighters in May 2000. Steve had been working in other countries as a short-term missionary and evangelist for the previous 4 years. While in Sri Lanka working to establish a church he met and later married Shanthi in 1997. Shanthi worked in the past with Campus Crusade for Christ in Sri Lanka.
What We Plan To Do
Our ministry goal is to establish churches in Sri Lanka and in countries where Sri Lankans have immigrated. Once the church is established we place a pastor at that church to continue the work and freeing us then to go to another village.
Our Approach
Advancing The Gospel In Spiritually Dead Places
From our base in Joplin, Missouri, Lamp Lighters World Ministries advances the Gospel in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, where Christianity is almost non-existent. We plant new churches in unreached villages, support seven existing congregations, and equip local pastors to lead them. Through evangelism, discipleship, deliverance ministry, children’s ministries, and practical social work, we seek to establish strong, self-sustaining churches that glorify Christ and impact their communities.
We also focus on caring for vulnerable children and training the next generation of leaders. This includes running Sunday schools and Vacation Bible Schools to reach families, and planning a full-time Bible College to prepare local workers and pastors. All our efforts are rooted in prayer, partnership with national believers, and a commitment to both spiritual growth and meeting physical needs.
01.
— Our Mission
At our core, our mission is the Great Commission. Specifically to us, our mission is to preach the Gospel, plant churches, and make disciples among the Tamil and Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka (and beyond) by partnering with local believers, supporting national pastors, and fostering encounters with Jesus.
02.
— Our Vision
To see vibrant, spirit filled churches multiplying across Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province and beyond, with trained local leaders, thriving children’s ministries, and new believers growing in faith and service to Christ.
03.
— Our Prayer
Our prayer is that God will open doors for churches to be planted and spread the message of Jesus among the Sinhalese population, continue raising up disciples and children in Christ, establish a full-time Bible College, expand Sunday school programs to plant new churches in unreached villages, and deepen discipleship among existing believers.
Where We're Presently Working
We are presently working with seven churches in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, either directly or through our co-workers in ministry. The towns are Koddai Kallar, where we base the ministry, Periyaneelavanai, Mahiloor, Onthachimadam, Periya Kallar, Eruvil and Porutivu with populations of 7,000 – 12,000.
How We Do It
Over the years our approaches have changed as we have tried to find the most effective way to reach those outside of Christ.
These include, but are not limited to:
01.
— Church Planting & Support
Establish new churches in unreached villages across Sri Lanka. Once a church is planted and stable, we place a local pastor to lead it, allowing us to move on and plant in new areas.
We also Partner with and strengthen seven existing churches in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province (Koddai Kallar, Periyaneelavanai, Mahiloor, Onthachimadam, Periya Kallar, Eruvil, and Porutivu) through direct involvement and local co-workers.
02.
— Social Work
Engage in practical social work in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province to meet physical needs, build relationships, and demonstrate Christ’s love through community support and humanitarian efforts.
03.
— Children’s Ministry & Special Events
Start and run Sunday schools, youth programs, and Vacation Bible Schools in villages, while organizing special events such as sports activities to reach children and families with the Gospel and foster discipleship.
Where We Plan To Go
Lamp Lighters is not limited to working in one country, but will work throughout the world to establish new churches. We have begun our work in the country of Sri Lanka for several reasons. In the past years we have established work with some small congregations there. There is a vast need for evangelism, teaching, and discipleship in the country.
Ministry Partners
Impact Stories
Album For Jesus
One of our young men, Niranjan, who is very involved in the ministry with us, is releasing a CD of songs he has composed. He has been writing songs for some time now and decided that God wanted him to share them with others as well. He has planned a program with dramas, dances, and a message, along with the songs he has written. We’re very happy for his witness and desire to be used by God in this way.
A Bright Future For Sri Lanka
All our co-workers are encouraged to start new Sunday school programs in new villages. Once this is done to progress living house centers. Teaching and discipling with the goal of purchasing property and building a building.
This usually takes several months to a few years.
Opposition to Christianity is very high and can often turn violent when establishing new churches.
Future Plans
Open Doors
Our prayer is that God will open doors for new churches to be planted among the Sinhalese population in Sri Lanka, reaching this major ethnic group with the Gospel in areas where there is currently little Christian presence.
Bible College & Worker Training
Establishing a full-time Bible College to train local workers and pastors who will then establish new congregations with us, equipping them with solid biblical knowledge and practical ministry skills.
Sunday School Expansion
Continuing to start additional Sunday school programs in villages with the intent of planting new churches, using these programs to reach children and their families with the Gospel.
Children's Ministry
Starting children’s ministries in our area of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province to provide safe shelter, education, and spiritual nurturing for orphans and vulnerable children.
Discipleship Programs
Developing more discipleship through young adults programs with believers in our existing churches to strengthen their faith, maturity, and ability to serve, helping them grow as committed followers of Christ.