Patrick Cho

Lighthouse Bible Church

• Contact: 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego www.lighthousebc.com
• Membership: 500 (attendance: 650)
• Pastor: Patrick Cho 
• Age: 45
• Born: Chicago
• Formation: University of California San Diego; The Masters Seminary, Sun Valley
• Years Ordained: 13

San Diego Reader: Why did you become a minister?

Pastor Patrick Cho: My whole life, I thought I was going to become a doctor. Since I was coming from an Asian home, my parents were thrilled — it wasn’t something they had to force on me. But when I got to college, I realized it wasn’t a good fit. It was in college, too, that I began to take the things of the faith more seriously. I joined a Bible study on campus. It really changed my life. That’s when I became a genuine Christian, even though I grew up in church. I knew that I loved telling people about what the Bible says and about the gospel. That’s when I started thinking I should do ministry. I had many doubts at first, but talked to the leaders of the church, my family, my parents, and got constant affirmation from people: “Yeah, of course this is what you should be doing.” So, hesitantly, I applied for seminary and prayed, “God, I want to do this right. If you don’t want me in this, feel free to yank me from it.” I trusted God every step of the way, and here I am, essentially 20 years later.

SDR: Why nondenominational?

PC: Lighthouse was nondenominational when we first got planted. We had discussions about possibly joining a denomination, but we took it day by day, saying that if it was something that would help us, we would join a denomination. But along the way, it never got to that point. We stayed nondenominational. We have always since day one had a firm commitment to teaching the Bible and allowing that to be the authority in our lives. It’s still our philosophy today.

SDR: What is the mission of your church?

PC: We really want to live up to our name. We want to be a bright shining light in this community and in the world. Obviously, as Christians we believe this world is in darkness from unbelief and sin, and God provides light through Christ and through the gospel. What an honor and joy to represent that in this world and shine the light of the truth of God in this darkness. That’s been a big part of our mission. We want to preach the truth of God in love; that’s always been the driving force behind what we do.

SDR: Where do you go when you die?

PC: There are two destinations; those who have trusted in the gospel and know that Jesus Christ is their lord and savior will go to heaven for all eternity, not on the basis of anything they have done but because of what Christ as done for us. Sadly, the Bible tells us that each of us has to make that decision, and those that reject him are going to face his judgment, because they have not walked in obedience to his commands and have not trusted in the Lord… The Bible is clear: our hope is not in ourselves. We can’t fix ourselves or try harder. Our sin gets in the way. We need a savior, and God has provided that way of salvation through Jesus. He accomplished what we cannot. Without him, it means eternal damnation —an eternity in hell, facing his judgment.