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About Us

​We are a community of students striving to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and spread His glory on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. We invite you to spend time in fellowship and worship with other students here in Maryville, Missouri.
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​We meet on Monday nights at 6PM for a free dinner and again on Thursday nights at 7PM for Real Life, our weekly Worship service. We also have weekly gendered Bible studies on Mondays and Tuesdays, and various group hang outs/activities. Our goal is to help connect you with a community of believers and help engage you in a personal walk with Jesus Christ.

​Come Join the Family!
"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."
Colossians 1:28-29

Meet the Staff

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From Left to Right: Beth and Caleb Yarnell, Carter and Renee Abbott

Caleb & Beth Yarnell

Caleb Yarnell is serving as the Interim Campus Minister of the Lighthouse, with his wife Beth at his side as a campus ministry staff member. Caleb and Beth met at Northwest as Lighthouse students and got married as Lighthouse staff members in 2020. They have three children.

Caleb has a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and is currently working towards completing a Master of Divinity degree. He has over 5 years of college ministry staff experience and also served as a church youth director for one year. From Summer 2023 through Summer 2025, Caleb took on more lead responsibilities at the Lighthouse as part of training to lead the ministry. He has a passion for college ministry and is excited to be leading and teaching Lighthouse students and staff, as well as building and maintaining relationships with local churches, supporters, alumni, and Northwest faculty!

Beth completed her bachelor’s degree in Human Services in 2020. She served as a staff member at multiple campus ministries from May 2020 through December 2022 before deciding to stay at home with their children full-time for a season. She rejoined the Lighthouse staff team this summer and is glad to be the staff point-person for the Lighthouse’s Women’s Fellowship and Outreach Teams, disciple college women, and help with alumni and supporter communication as well as some behind-the-scenes aspects of the ministry!

Carter & Renee Abbott

Carter is finishing up his degree in Christian Ministry online through Spurgeon College. He was ordained as a pastor in 2024, but has been a bi-vocational worship leader for nearly four years. During that time he has led worship at the Lighthouse and a couple of area churches.

​This summer, Carter joined the staff team, and in addition to continuing to lead worship, he is in charge of Monday night dinners, and the staff person in charge of the Prayer and Service Teams. He is also working on our 1-on-1 discipleship program!

Renee came to Northwest in the Fall of 2019. After completing her undergraduate degree in English Education with a minor in Spanish and marrying Carter in the Summer of 2023, Renee returned to Maryville to go to graduate school and be on staff at the Lighthouse. Other than working at the Lighthouse, Renee is a full-time Research Librarian at Northwest Missouri State University! 

Renee is the staff point-of-contact for the Connections Team, disciples college women, and handles some of the details-side of the ministry!