In villages in West Africa where reliable electricity remains limited, a small solar-powered light is transforming access to Scripture, education and community life after sunset.
Solar-powered lights support Bible reading, worship and literacy after dark
For nearly two decades, engineering students at Cedarville University have been designing, building and distributing hundreds of solar-powered lights to churches across West Africa, expanding opportunities for evening worship, literacy and discipleship.
This initiative equips local pastors and residents with sustainable, renewable-energy lighting that enables them to read the Bible, lead services and study after dark — a critical need in regions where access to electricity is inconsistent or unavailable.
How the Cedarville solar light project began in Liberia in 2007
The effort began in 2007, when Dr. Tom Thompson, senior professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Larry Zavodney, senior professor of mechanical engineering, visited the Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) radio station and school in Liberia. During the trip, they taught seminars on basic circuitry and technology while also exploring ways to support local ministries.
One obvious need quickly became clear: Pastors lacked reliable light to read their Bibles at night.
Student-designed solar light prototype launched a long-term missions project
In response, Joshua Blackburn, then a senior electrical engineering student, designed the first solar light prototype. Cedarville’s Society of Engineers Aiding Missions (SEAM) joined the effort, launching a project that continues today. After several years of sending lights to Liberia, SEAM developed a connection in Ghana and expanded its outreach to support pastors there as well.
SEAM student organization helps engineers serve global missions needs
SEAM, a student organization focused on helping engineers see their role in global missions, meets weekly to hear guest speakers, pray for missionaries or build solar lights. The organization is led by Elliot Shearer, a senior mechanical engineering student from Millinocket, Maine; London Beachy, a sophomore civil engineering student from North Bangor, NY; and Abigail Nutter, a junior mechanical engineering student from Bettendorf, Iowa.
Nutter emphasized that engineers have an increasingly important role in missions.
“People don't always talk about the technical side of missions because the goal is ultimately evangelism,” said Nutter. “But missionary organizations need engineers to have some form of communication, keep hospitals running if there's a power grid issue, and balance the devices that you need in a setting like that.”
Engineering students redesign solar lights to improve durability and usability
That practical focus has shaped the project from the beginning. To improve usability and make the lights more effective, SEAM students have redesigned them six times. After pastors reported that early versions were too bright for their villages, students developed a model with more appropriate lighting. Dr. Clinton Kohl, senior professor of computer engineering, has overseen many of those design advancements.
“The problem-solving is fun, because we are applying our engineering degrees to do it,” said Nutter.
This year, they are working on designing better cases for the lights, testing heavy duty wire instead of screws to improve durability.
Cedarville students combine engineering skills with long-term mission service
As SEAM continues to equip pastors with reliable, sustainable lighting, the group shows how student-led initiatives can meet global needs in practical ways. Its mission has stretched across generations of students, bound by a desire to serve and a curiosity about the way things work.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.