North Louisiana Interfaith unveiled its third Community Lighthouse in Shreveport on Sunday, holding a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at Galilee Baptist Church. The facility is intended to act as a local resilience hub, providing essential resources such as electricity, water and shelter during power outages, natural disasters and other emergencies, a development that directly benefits residents who rely on stable services.
According to West Central’s Best, the church now features solar panels, backup batteries and a well‑based water supply, allowing it to operate when traditional infrastructure fails. “For many people power outages are an actual disaster, for our senior citizens or for our special needs,” said Saundra Roberson, a North Louisiana Interfaith member, adding that the organization believes “God did not put us on earth to be selfish.”
KTBS reported that speakers at the ceremony highlighted the region’s growing energy demands, including the development of Amazon data centers, and how the Lighthouse model could help meet those needs while supporting everyday people. Pastor Antwan Butler, also a member of the interfaith group, warned, “We’re at a crossroads with this new high energy demand,” and suggested the Lighthouse could serve as a template for broader community benefit.
Senior organizer Nathanael Wills emphasized that investments tied to regional growth should also benefit local institutions such as churches, dialysis clinics and child‑care centers. He said, “But the investment is coming and some of it, we want to argue, should directly benefit our churches, our dialysis clinics, our child care centers.”
The organization outlined an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to establish 20 Community Lighthouse locations across Caddo Parish. In addition, a six‑month civic academy is slated for launch in 2027 to bring residents together to discuss data‑center impacts and explore ways to participate in regional decision‑making. Butler noted the academy will be open to everyone, quoting a mentor: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
Local leaders pledged financial support for the initiative. Caddo Parish Administrator Erica Bryant committed $5,000 toward the civic academy, while Louisiana Public Service Commission‑elect member John Atkins announced a personal $5,000 pledge, as reported by both sources.
The Galilee Baptist Church Lighthouse joins two existing Shreveport sites at Morning Star Baptist Church and the Highland Center, creating a network designed to strengthen community infrastructure and resilience.
What’s next: Planning for the 2027 civic academy will continue over the coming months, and North Louisiana Interfaith will begin scouting additional sites to reach its goal of 20 Lighthouse locations throughout Caddo Parish.
Sources: westcentralsbest.com, ktbs.com
