By Amanda Boston
On Thursday, June 1, a funeral service was held celebrating the life and legacy of Pastor Henry Wesley Furr Sr., the senior pastor of the Lighthouse Revival Center in Riverview over 20 years. ‘Pastor Hank’ is survived by his wife, Alison; his son, Henry Wesley Furr Jr. and wife Alexandra and six grandchildren.
In 1991, Pastor Furr took headship of the Lighthouse Gospel Mission, a ministry devoted to helping men overcome addictions to alcohol and drugs. The organization dates back to 1952 when it started as a street ministry for the homeless. Today, thanks in part to Pastor Furr, it is a multifaceted ministry comprising of a rehabilitation facility for men and women with substance abuse addictions, a nursing home ministry, a community food bank and a prison outreach program.
Shortly after Pastor Furr’s arrival to the Lighthouse Ministries, he formed the Faith Home, an 18-month residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. The program helps addicts say ‘No’ to substance abuse and ‘Yes’ to Jesus. Pastor Tony Samuels is a 1997 graduate from the Faith Home Ministries and the current Senior Associate Pastor for Lighthouse Revival Center. He said, “My life has been personally changed forever by his life and ministry. If it were not for his influence, I would not be the person I am now. He has been a father and a mentor to me.”
With many individuals graduating from the Faith Home program, Pastor Furr recognized a need for a continued support system. The graduates would need a safe place to find acceptance, be encouraged, be held accountable and attend worship services. To address this need, Pastor Furr began holding church services for the graduates and their families in a small chapel on the property. Then in 2003, a larger facility was constructed to accommodate the congregation of the Faith Home graduates and new community members, thus, birthing the Lighthouse Revival Center.
Since its foundation, the Lighthouse Revival Center has passionately sought to reach the lost through Spirit-led worship and ministries. Pastor Samuels added, “He saw my potential when I could not see it in myself. His legacy will continue through the people’s lives he touched.”
Lighthouse Revival Center is located at 7211 S. 78th St. in Riverview with a Sunday service at 10 a.m. and services on Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. For more information, call 677-5220 or visit www.lrcchurch.com.
