Our Humble Beginning
The Lighthouse Christian Academy founded in 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina by the Lighthouse Fellowship of Churches and Leaders under the leadership of our Presiding Prelate, Bishop Dr. Terrance G. Tindal. Our first class sessions were held in Cayce, South Carolina in the Lighthouse Business Center. Our first open training was held January 2020 during “The Gathering” that started our Lighthouse School of Ministry. Although the pandemic adjusted how we gathered to learn, we moved forward with ministry training virtually.
In 2021, the Lighthouse Christian Academy was blessed with the opportunity to partner with School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary under the leadership of Ambassador Winford Thompson to launch a learning opportunity for adults in the community of Clarendon County, hosting our first class at the K&H Resource Center.
With growth in mind, the Lighthouse Board of Trustees developed an Institutional Excellence Committee to prepare curriculums and objectives and birth the Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary, May 2023.
September 12, 2023, the Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary launched our first adult learning biblical course for certificate and undergraduate studies. Although most of our students are virtual learners we still offer in-person opportunities and training.
Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary is incorporated in the State of South Carolina and is recognized by the Secretary of State for South Carolina. LTIS is a non-denominational Bible Institute & Seminary with the mission of providing affordable Biblical education and theological training for anyone interested in earning a Bible Degree to further enhance their Ministry.
LTIS offers a hybrid learning environment that combines online and onsite courses, depending on the program of study selected. Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary is accredited by the American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions, Inc. of Rocky Mount, NC and Accrediting Commission for Biblical Higher Education of Cypress, TX. LTIS has been recognized and received exemptions from the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education as a Bible College and Seminary.
Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary is committed to being a beacon of light on the pathway of our scholars, while simultaneously committing to institutional excellence as evidence of providing and maintain a Christ centered learning community.
Our Founder
Dr. Terrance G. Tindal is a native of Summerton, South Carolina, and proud graduate of Historic Scott’s Branch High School. His education and training continued as he attended Benedict College, Carolina Theological Bible College and Seminary, Grand Canyon University, The Art Institute, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary.
With the heart to serve the Honorable Terrance G. Tindal was elected in 2010 as Councilman for the Town of Summerton and served for 12 years.
Tindal is a part of several organizations throughout the state and has held many positions in most of them including, President of the Scott’s Branch High Alumni Association’s At-Large Chapter, Executive Board Member for the Clarendon County Branch NAACP, Executive Director of the iCare2 Anti-Bullying Program, Inc. Board Chair for K&H Resource Center, Volunteer for the Clarendon County Guardian Ad Litem, Founder and Director of the Lighthouse Foundation of South Carolina and is an active member of the Summerton Literacy Council.
In 2015, he was inducted into the South Carolina Top 40 Under 40 Amongst African American Business Leaders by the South Carolina Black Pages.
Since his youth Terrance has been active and served faithfully in his home church, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where he was licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel under the leadership of the late Reverend O’ Donald Dingle. He later joined the Historic Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church also in Summerton, SC where he served as the former Youth Minister and Choir Director, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. William T. Johnson. In 2012, Tindal became the Pastor of the Restoration Church of Columbia, SC and served faithful until his appointment as Overseer in 2017 and later appointed as Bishop Designate. June 2020, Tindal was consecrated as Bishop through the Apostolic Faith Fellowship International, Inc. under the leadership of Apostle Dr. Calvin H. Haygood. Today Bishop Tindal serves faithfully as the Presiding Prelate of the Lighthouse Fellowship of Churches and Leaders, Inc.
In addition to being the CEO of GèRome and Company, Tindal served as an Artist-At-Resident for Clarendon School District One and Deputy Coroner for the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office, under the leadership of Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell.
Dr. Tindal is the youngest of Henrietta Tindal and the late John Henry Thomas, Sr.
Dr. Terrance G. Tindal currently serves as First President of the Lighthouse Theological Institute & Seminary.
Dr. Tindal lives by his motto, “Your dreams will never come true, if you continue to sleep on them!”
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Dr. Terrance G. Tindal
