Psalm 144:12;   “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.”

In January 1941, the first issue of Beacon Lights was published. The periodical, then under the editorship of Rev. Cornelius Hanko, was produced by a mandate of the publication committee of the Protestant Reformed Young People’s Federation. The magazine was distributed in order to further the goal of the Federation which, presented by Rev. Hanko in our first issue, is as follows:

1. To unite all Protestant Reformed Young People’s Societies so that they may work in close unity and secure a sense of solidarity.

2. To seek the mutual edification of the members of this Federation and to strive for the development of talents as becomes Christian young people.

3. To strive to maintain our specific Protestant Reformed character with a united front.

4. To promote the welfare of the Protestant Reformed Churches, in which we have a name and a place.

Still today, the staff of Beacon Lights strives towards these goals, as well as to edify those Reformed young people in other denominations. Beacon Lights is written for the young people, by the young people, as well as by the adults who strive to best serve the generations to come. The magazine is also written for the parents of young people, so they may be made aware of what their children and their children’s children are facing in this world. The world will only get darker as it nears the end. Even now, sin is rampant. Temptation attacks from all sides. We pray that Beacon Lights may serve as a light shining in the darkness of this world to guide young people in their Christian lives.