H.O.P.E.Center & “See The Need, Help Us Feed” Manager

Michael Goepferich is an evangelist at heart. Michael came to work at Lighthouse in 2007 in the Lakeland Distribution Center. Since then, he’s moved up the ranks, helping out in many of the thrift stores before landing as the manager in Lakeland. Since then, he’s found joy in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the customers and clients everyday.

Michael’s own story of salvation started after his father died in a car accident when Michael was 7 years old. He and his mom ended up moving to MIami to be closer to family, and he started attending a private school, which introduced him to the Gospel. He accepted Christ as a high school student, but still struggled with putting his faith into action. In 2001, he re-dedicated his life to Christ, overcoming his previous struggles and finding renewed passion for his faith. He got married in 2005 to Meagan, and they’ve had two beautiful kids since then.

He came to Lighthouse after learning about Lighthouse at church. He knew as soon as he came to the campus that this was where he’s supposed to be. Since working at the H.O.P.E. Center, he’s seen an increase in need, but he’s also seen an increase in ministry. “You have people who give hand-outs, but I like to think that what we’re doing is giving hand-ups. We’re helping people get back up on their feet and established in their time of need. It coincides with what our mission is in the ministry: to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individuals we serve. When you meet the physical need, it often grants you a door to help meet the spiritual need that you otherwise would not have.”

Michael says it’s the people we serve that really make a difference in the ministry today. Here are a few of his favorite stories:

Samantha came into the HOPE Center one day, and she was really shaken and guarded. She came to Michael to get a food box, and as he met with her he presented her the Gospel. He prayed with her before their meeting ended, and she immediately softened. She told him that the prayer he had prayed over her, a passage from Isaiah, was her life verse. She had given her life to Christ years in advance, but she knew she wasn’t living like she should. She recommited her life to Christ that day before she left his office. Samantha came back to the office a few months later to check back in with Michael. She is now back in church on a weekly basis, and she’s helped her fiance find Christ, as well. God is working on their relationship, and He’s continuing to work on her personally.

Mark has a similar story of rededication. He came into the HOPE Center to get food box assistance. Mark had previously lived in the Chinese jungle for 8 years, but since his return home, he was living on disability checks. While their first meeting left Michael feeling like he’d made little headway on leading Mark to Christ, Mark came back later to re-affirm the change that occurred that day. His spirit has changed from doubt to thankfulness. He is now open to what Christ has open for him, and he’s got a strong relationship now with the HOPE Center to keep him moving forward.

Michael has the opportunity to see lives changed everyday, and he’s excited to see more discipleship opportunities become available. His goal is to build relationships past meeting the physical needs like food and clothing. “I just want us to continue producing fruit; to continue going after life change.”