Guiding Light Church

The Guiding Light Church is a 3,800-member nondenominational Christian church which meets at a new $15 million, 215-acre campus on John Rogers Drive, near the Birmingham Race Course. The senior pastor is Bishop Jim Lowe.

The church was founded in 1987, meeting in private homes. Lowe accepted the call to pastor in 1988. In its early years the church met in buildings on 3rd Avenue South and Kimberly Avenue. In 1995 the church moved to its own building on Roebuck Drive.

As part of the development of its new campus, which was completed in January 2007, Guiding Light Church plans to construct a commercial and residential subdivision. Alongside a gated community of 150 homes would be assisted-living for elderly people and boys and girls homes for disadvantaged youth. Those plans have been slowed by the lack of sewer service in the area.

Part of the design of the new campus includes commercial spaces inside the church building for barbers, hair stylists, food vendors, clothing retailers and the church's community credit union. Future plans include a health and fitness center, grocery store and shopping center nearby. Another planned feature is a "prayer tower".

HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy joined the Guiding Light Church in 2003 while he was under indictment for fraud. His charitable foundation donated over $1.5 million to the church between 2003 and 2005. Since his acquittal he and his wife, Leslie founded their own Grace and Purpose Church which is broadcast on cable TV.

References

• Garrison, Greg (January 12, 2007) "Church puts big money on new locale." Birmingham News.