As America entered the new millennium, the spiritual battle has intensified. Churches are closing at an alarming rate. An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 churches close every year. One study states that 100,000 churches will close in seven years. This is an alarming figure when you realize that there are only about 350,000 churches existing in the Country. Are these churches being replaced with new church plants? Unfortunately, the answer is no! Added to this problem is the increased "secularization" of our society. New estimates claim that 65% of the American population is unchurched. Darkness is overcoming the light!

The need of the hour is for mission boards like AMOC to send church planting missionaries into the communities of America, dispelling the darkness with the Light of the Gospel. There is a great need to keep the home lights burning. Over 50% of the foreign missionary force will be retiring and coming home from the field within the next ten years. It is imperative that new lighthouse keepers are enlisted to replace those who have faithfully served the Lord at home and abroad. The church in America needs to be reinforced against the waves of Humanism, Hedonism, and Secularism. The home lights must be kept trimmed and healthy so that their beams of light shine out to the next generation.