House with flowering tree

Lighthouse Military Ministry

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN

John and Yvonne

Are you in the Military?

Stationed in the Norfolk Virginia Beach area?

Are you lonely, homesick, or bored?

Tired of eating galley food all the time?

Always stuck on the ship with nothing to do?

Hanging out alone at the mall getting old?

"Come join our extended family..."

Sailors sitting on Wright Brothers plane

Who We Are

Lighthouse Military Ministry is a connecting point fellowship of Freedom Outreach International, which connects military, veterans, and their communities with a missional, Christian family, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…”

Matthew 25:35

Sailors manning the rails

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN

Yvonne and I have been opening our home to young servicemen and women stationed in the Norfolk Virginia Beach area every weekend for 24 years. We try to help them alleviate feelings of loneliness, isolation, boredom, and homesickness by providing a safe, comfortable, home and family environment. A place where they can get away from their bases or ships and back into a “real home” for a few hours each week.

Yvonne and I enjoy building relationships with young military men and women, getting involved in their lives, and having a positive spiritual influence on them. These young adults quickly become part of our extended family. We often tell them that they are “guests” only the first time they come into our home. If they come back, we ‘adopt’ them as part of our family. 

We get together for food, fun and games every Saturday night. And, for a family style dinner, movies, fellowship and worship every Sunday afternoon. Several times a year we go on special events day trips to historical sites in the area.

John and Yvonne

Dr. John and Yvonne Wagner

Our Weekend Activities

girls playing risk

Saturday Activities

5:00 - 9:00 PM

Food and Fun

Board Games

Sunday dinner lots of people

Sunday Activities

1:00 - 5:00 PM

Family Style Dinners

Worship, Prayer, Movies

Special Events

Historic Sites Day Trips

Civil War Battlefields

Colonial Williamsburg

Additional Support Activities

military family greeting USS Enterprise

Deployments

Deployments are a part of military life. So whenever one of our adopted sons or daughters leaves we are at the pier to say goodbye or welcome them back.

marine wedding picture

Weddings

Officiating at the wedding ceremonies of our “adopted” sons and daughters is one of the highlights of our ministry.

kroeger family visit

"Family" Visits

We also stay in contact with our adopted “sons” and “daughters” with personal visits. Here we visited one of our newest grand children in Ohio.

What Some Servicemen and Women Have Said:

"John and Yvonne Wagner have made a very positive impact on my spiritual walk. I encourage any serviceman or woman in the Norfolk area to hit them up for a good home cooked meal and great fellowship!"
Bob
Bob
Sailor
"Their home was a safe and relaxing place. My husband and I have been blessed to be a part of the Wagner's ministry and their love and support. Thank you so much, we love ya like our own family.
Nichole
Nichole
Marine Wife
"Yvonne is a very good cook and that was a big draw for me, as a single soldier I was all about good food! It felt like I had a place to go away from the base that was sort of like a second home."
Jonathan
Jonathan
Soldier

Want to join the fun?

Let us know and we'll get back to you with the information you'll need to join our activities!
Join the Fun!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

We realize that many of you can’t physically participate in our activities for a variety of reasons. We are developing ongoing Bible studies for you! In our Bible studies section you can read and learn about what God’s Word has to say to you. If you read the lessons and have questions feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you might have. 

Holy Bible heading

To get started, check out the study of the Book of Revelation on our YouTube channel: