History

1985 – Eli Williams Creates Lifeline Radio Broadcast

Weekly radio program of contemporary Christian music on WKSW FM.

1987 – Eli & Judy Williams Begin Lifeline Ministries

Included a mobile DJ park ministry, jail and prison ministry, gospel singing and children’s ministry. Lifeline Radio on WBLY AM & WIZE AM.

1990 – Lifeline Radio is Renamed Urban Light Radio

Began airing on the CDR Radio Network of 9 FM stations and translators.

1993 – The Sonshine Club Established With Leadership of Lifeline Ministries

A Saturday morning children’s outreach at Lincoln Park Circle in collaboration with various churches, local Salvation Army, and many volunteers.

1994 – The Sonshine Clubs became an after school program.

First location was Lincoln Elementary School.

1994 – Eli Williams Founded the Christian Cross Cultural Fellowship.

The small weekly gatherings encouraged unity among Christians in Springfield.

1995 – Ministry Incorporated as Urban Light Ministries, Incorporated

The Lifeline Ministries name was not available in Ohio.

A business office was established on East High Street in space provided by Bob Bell.

1996 – Urban Light Ministries Received 501(c) 3 Designation

A rundown apartment house 513-515 South Yellow Springs Street was acquired. After extensive renovation using donated funds and volunteer labor, the ministry business office was moved there.

1996 – The Sonshine Clubs was Established

In all Springfield City Elementary School Buildings (13).

Plus, locations in Enon and London, Ohio elementary schools.

1997 – Started Adopt-a-Block in Springfield and Clark County.

With Word of Faith Family Church partnered to begin the movement of church mobilization for neighborhood outreach.  

1997 – Officially opened the Urban Light Center.

ULC provided a food pantry, free hot meals, free doctor visits, after school activities, and other community outreaches.

1998 – Reverend Williams Established the SALT Club at Hayward Middle School

A youth development community service club for middle school students.

2001 –Urban Light Center Relocated to 424 South Fountain

Staff had grown to nine fulltime employees.

2002 – Acquired radio station WBLY AM.

The plan was to create a new revenue stream from the commercial license. The station was renamed WULM one year later.

2004 – Adopt-a-Block was Spun-off to Another Local Ministry

A key Adopt-a-Block staff had conspired to undermine the ministry before resigning and as a consequence, important funding was lost.

2005 – Started Crossing Over Radio and TV Programs

A daily radio interview show on WULM and a weekly TV show on cable channels, hosted by Eli Williams. Funded by a contract with Clark County Department of Job & Family Services.

2005 – Fountain of Life Christian Assembly Planted

It is a separate organization (inner city church plant) that meets in the Urban Light Center. Reverend Williams is the founding pastor.

2006 - Established Nurturing Fathers for Life

NFL is a class to help men become better parents. It was the first program of the Fatherhood Resource Center and includes a monthly Parent Support Clinic.

2007 – Established Basic Training for Men

BTfM is a male-focused relationship education class and is a partnership with Marriage Resource Center of Miami Valley. It is funded by a federal grant.

2008 – Urban Light Ministries Relocated to 501 S. Wittenberg Avenue

A cost-saving measure that created a closer alliance with Inside Out Youth Ministry, and other occupants of the former Junior High School building.

2008 – WULM Sold to Radio Maria, an International Non-profit Organization.

Urban Light Radio broadcast was released by ULMI board to its founder, writer /host, executive producer who established E. Williams Communications to manage its operation.

2008 - ULR began airing on WCTR FM in Brocton, Massachusetts.

CDR Radio Network has expanded to 15 markets by then.

2008 – ULMI Established Miami Valley Partnership for Fathers.

Funding is granted from the Governor’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives to expand fatherhood programming region-wide. Partners are Family and Youth Initiatives, PowerNet of Dayton and Springfield Christian Youth Ministries

2009 -  ULMI introduces unveils newly redesigned website ay urbanlight.org. 

Website offers more resources and makes Urban Light Ministries a Worldwide Ministry.

2009 -  ULMI unveils new Corporate Image. 

This image designed by Northern Lights Media Group with collaboration with Eli Williams will be used universally to identify ULMI..

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