The Founding of a Unique Ministry
The founder and director of SonLight Power, Allen Rainey, a former operations manager and journalist, turned advocate for renewable energy sources upon discovering how expensive it was to get grid electricity to his fifty acres of rural property in Indiana. He turned to solar. "It was easy to become an environmentalist during the process of developing this," Rainey said. "You wonder why we all aren't doing more. A small investment returns free power for thirty years and does a lot for the environment."
Rainey, who received his M.A. in Practical Theology with a mission concentration from Regent University in 2000, traveled with professors on numerous mission trips to developing countries around the world, during his studies.
In 2001, Rainey worked in cooperation with Shoulder to Shoulder (a medical missionary organization) and the Health Department of Honduras, to install two solar powered medical clinic refrigeration systems, allowing for storage of vaccines to prevent deadly childhood diseases. On this same trip, two other medical clinic systems were repaired, and through the support of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, two churches, in Santiago and LaGurama, received basic solar electric systems to power lighting. This was the beginning of SonLight Power's ministry.
Rainey, who received his M.A. in Practical Theology with a mission concentration from Regent University in 2000, traveled with professors on numerous mission trips to developing countries around the world, during his studies.
In 2001, Rainey worked in cooperation with Shoulder to Shoulder (a medical missionary organization) and the Health Department of Honduras, to install two solar powered medical clinic refrigeration systems, allowing for storage of vaccines to prevent deadly childhood diseases. On this same trip, two other medical clinic systems were repaired, and through the support of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, two churches, in Santiago and LaGurama, received basic solar electric systems to power lighting. This was the beginning of SonLight Power's ministry.
What SLP Does
SonLight Power makes an immediate and lasting impact for the poorest people in Central America, South America, Haiti and Africa. Most live in areas with no supply of affordable electricity which hinders the quality of their medical care, obstructs education for their children and simply makes everyday life even more challenging.
Using solar panel technology and volunteer work teams, SonLight Power connects orphanages, medical clinics, schools and churches to a 30 year supply of electricity. This sustainable power source releases children who work in the fields during the day to get an education in the evening after dark. It provides refrigeration to store medications at clinics in remote locations. It replaces the need for expensive generators which are often the only source of electricity. SonLight Power systems generate lighting so that an orphanage cook can prepare breakfast for 100 children before sunrise or simply run a fan to create a refreshing breeze on a 110 degree day.
We have found that people who live off the electrical grid are not only poor monetarily, but are also poor in spirit. They have lost hope in their fellow man... and lost hope in God. These are some of the most spiritually dark places in the world. The work teams from SonLight Power bring them hope. Our presence in traveling to their location is a physical reminder that God loves them. The installation of the solar panel system gives SonLight Power team members the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus's love as the reason that we are there.
SonLight Power's efforts are coordinated through established contacts inside each country that are working with local churches. Our efforts bring the church valuable credibility with their community and enhances their opportunity to share the Good News.
Using solar panel technology and volunteer work teams, SonLight Power connects orphanages, medical clinics, schools and churches to a 30 year supply of electricity. This sustainable power source releases children who work in the fields during the day to get an education in the evening after dark. It provides refrigeration to store medications at clinics in remote locations. It replaces the need for expensive generators which are often the only source of electricity. SonLight Power systems generate lighting so that an orphanage cook can prepare breakfast for 100 children before sunrise or simply run a fan to create a refreshing breeze on a 110 degree day.
We have found that people who live off the electrical grid are not only poor monetarily, but are also poor in spirit. They have lost hope in their fellow man... and lost hope in God. These are some of the most spiritually dark places in the world. The work teams from SonLight Power bring them hope. Our presence in traveling to their location is a physical reminder that God loves them. The installation of the solar panel system gives SonLight Power team members the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus's love as the reason that we are there.
SonLight Power's efforts are coordinated through established contacts inside each country that are working with local churches. Our efforts bring the church valuable credibility with their community and enhances their opportunity to share the Good News.
Join a Team!
Mission teams complete 3-5 installations in several locations per trip. Teams can range from 5-12 members with one experienced leader. Most team members complete a weekend training at our solar training facility in Brookeville, Indiana before their trip.
Each trip usually takes 7-10 days. The demands of this work are physical and spiritual. The travel and basic labor of the installation requires team members to be physically fit (able to hike 1+ miles and lift 20 pounds). Beyond the SLP training at Camp Amakanata, no other work experience is required to join a team. Members must be 18 years of age or older. Younger members (10 years or older) are welcome to join a team when accompanied by one of their parents. SLP encourages family mission trips. Those without solar skills can lead or participate in Vacation Bible School activities at school installation sites.
The spiritual demands of this work range from prayer support before, during and after the installation, to sharing the Good News message of the Gospel of Jesus. Often the recipients of an SLP installation are puzzled why team members are willing to leave their comfortable lives in America and travel to a place so far away to do this work. The simple answer is because of the love of Jesus Christ. That same love is available to you. That is why we consider it a privilege to do this work.
Go to http://www.sonlightpower.org/join.php for an application and more information.
Each trip usually takes 7-10 days. The demands of this work are physical and spiritual. The travel and basic labor of the installation requires team members to be physically fit (able to hike 1+ miles and lift 20 pounds). Beyond the SLP training at Camp Amakanata, no other work experience is required to join a team. Members must be 18 years of age or older. Younger members (10 years or older) are welcome to join a team when accompanied by one of their parents. SLP encourages family mission trips. Those without solar skills can lead or participate in Vacation Bible School activities at school installation sites.
The spiritual demands of this work range from prayer support before, during and after the installation, to sharing the Good News message of the Gospel of Jesus. Often the recipients of an SLP installation are puzzled why team members are willing to leave their comfortable lives in America and travel to a place so far away to do this work. The simple answer is because of the love of Jesus Christ. That same love is available to you. That is why we consider it a privilege to do this work.
Go to http://www.sonlightpower.org/join.php for an application and more information.
Check out this video and become a solar soldier in the Army of the Lord!