About Us

“Turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the childrens’ hearts to the Heavenly Father”

Addressing the issues of absent fathers and the negative effects on children without dads

Urban Light Ministries has focused its efforts over the last 30 years in increasing awareness and support of fatherhood initiatives due to absent fathers and the negative affects of children without dads in the greater Clark County Ohio area.

Years of Service

Fathers Served

Childrens Lives Touched

Awards Won

Urban Light Ministries Logo

Board of Trustees

Daniel Blevins

Daniel Blevins

Eli Williams

Catherine Leep

Kermit Rowe

Kermit Rowe

Bruce Stapleton

Bruce Stapleton

Jay Weygandt

Jay Weygandt

Eli Williams

Eli Williams

Urban Light Ministries Logo

Our Story

Over the Years

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1988

Founded

Eli and Judy Williams from Lifeline Ministries, a faith-based ministry focused on children, prisons, food pantry and mobile DJ

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1993

Sonshine Clubs Begin

”The Sonshine Club was a Saturday morning sidewalk Sunday School children’s ministry which started in Lincoln Park in Springfield, Ohio

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1994

Sonshine Clubs Move to Public Schools

The Sonshine Clubs, a children-based Christian ministry, begins in Lincoln Elementary School as an afterschool ministry

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1995

Lifeline Ministries becomes Urban Light Minstries

Lifeline Ministry changed its name to Urban Light Ministries and received its 501 (c) 3 nonprofit designation officially in 1996

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1997

Urban Light Ministries opens headquarters on S. Yellowsprings St.

Urban Light Ministries served over 100 families weekly by volunteers from its location in Springfield, Ohio

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2006

Fatherhood Workshops Begin

Nuturing Fathers for Life (NFL) program begins with fathering skills training for local fathers.  Training partnered with Marriage Resource Center and Clark County Jail beings in 2007

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2008

Ohio Commissions on Fatherhood awards $224K grant

Urban Light continues to expand it fatherhood training and support through a major grant allowing it to serve over 300 fathers 

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2008

Eli Williams elected to the board of Ohio Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families

Eli Williams continues to grow awareness and credibility of Urban Light Ministries Fatherhood programs through serving on state-wide fatherhood boards and contributing to Fatherhood Commission Strategic Plan

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2010

ULM Continues building Fatherhood programs

ULM continues to grow its awareness and credibility in serving fathers through winning $100k grant to serve over 150 fathers, publishing the areas first “Dad’s Resource Guide” and hosts the regional Fatherhood Ohio Summit in Springfield, Ohio

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2011

Sonshine Clubs Expand Reach to over 13 public elementary schools

The after-school children’s ministry continues to grow to over 800 children with a Sonshine Club Director staff position established

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2012

ULM’s Fatherhood Programs receive National Recognition

Eli Williams and Darryl Grayson present ULM’s programs to Virginia delegation  

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2016

Father Love book published

Eli Williams authored and publishes the book “Father Love – The Powerful Resource Every Child Needs” including a study guide and father’s discussion group

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2019

POPS 101 Course Online course released

Fatherhood course on being a Protector, Order Keeper, Provider and Stabilizer is released online in English and Spanish versions.

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2020

Eli Williams presented the Nehemiah Foundation Leadership Award

For Pastor Eli Williams recognition of local leadership and service to the community of Springfield, Ohio he was awarded the Nehemiah Foundation Leadership Award

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2022

Fatherhood Devotionals Published

Pastor Eli Williams publishes father devotional on YouVersion Bible App and ULM publishes 30-day Dad Devotional E-book