ABOUT US
CHURCH HISTORY
South Portland Church of the Nazarene, 176 Sawyer Street. The parish at this location dates back to 1900, with construction of the building in 1904. The congregation relocated to 525 Highland Avenue, South Portland, in 1971. Now called First Light Church of the Nazarene.
FOUNDED IN 1900
FIRST BUILDING IN 1904
SECOND BUILDING IN 1971
WHO WE ARE
Vision Statement
A Church Where Change
Takes Place.
Our Mission
Our mission at First Light Church is to create experiences that light the way to a growing relationship with Jesus.
Our Core Values
Loved people love people.
(Matthew 22: 36-40, John 13:35)
Changed people change.
(2 Peter 3:18, Acts 4:32-35)
Found people find people.
(Luke 5:31-32, John 1:35-46)
Saved people serve people.
(Mark 10:43-45, John 3:30)
Growing people grow with people.
(Romans 12:5, Acts 2:42-47)
MEET OUR PASTORS, AND STAFF
SENIOR PASTOR
Ajay and Julie Vyas
Ajay and Julie Vyas have been married for 24 years and are the loving parents of 5 children, Liberty, Alexia, Kassidy, Jayce, and Lincoln. Ajay was the Family Pastor at Crossroads Church of Nazarene, in Ellicott City, MD for 10 years before planting a church outside of Baltimore, and pastoring there for another decade. In 2019 the Vyas family accepted a calling to move to Maine as the Lead Pastor of First Light South Portland Church of the Nazarene. Ajay is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He holds a B.A. in BioPsychology from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, and a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. Julie is also an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene with an undergraduate degree from Eastern Nazarene College and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland. Julie also serves as the Director of Lighthouse School Daycare.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
KEN BALCH
EXECUTIVE PASTOR
CHILDRENS PASTOR & LIGHTHOUSE DIRECTOR
JULIE VYAS
MUSIC & TECH
TEAM
Jim Gerry
Tech Director
Leo Mathieu
Worship Arts Director
FIRSTLIGHT
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Elizabeth Watts
Associate Nursery & Pre-K &
Children’s Pastor
Joey Fortin
Assistant Children Pastor
OPERATIONS
ADMINISTRATION
&HOSPITALITY
Ministries
Associate Student Pastor &
Facilities Director
Mike Watts
ADULT
&COMMUNITY
Ministries
Life Essentials Director
Zahira Grunwald
Plan a Visit
Come join us in worship as we gather together to praise and connect with God!