Light of the World Charities (LOTWC) was founded in 1999 by Reverend Bernard Powell and Theresa Banks, R.N. The late Father Powell, the founding Pastor of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City, Florida, invited Theresa, a registered nurse and parishioner at Holy Redeemer, to address the congregation to promote a stewardship program he was establishing. Mrs. Banks shared her experiences from medical missionary trips to Mexico and Bolivia. The church family overwhelmingly responded with volunteers from the community. Father Powell and Mrs. Banks tapped into this volunteer expertise. They established Light of the World Charities (LOTWC), an independent non-profit organization, to sponsor medical/surgical missionary teams in South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the U.S.

• 1999- LOTWC sends surgical groups to Chiclayo, Peru

• 2001- LOTWC sends medical groups to Honduras

• 2004- LOTWC jointly constructs Saint Benedict Joseph Center for Medical Assistance (SBJ) in Comayagua, Honduras

• 2010- LOTWC establishes its first domestic dental program in Palm City, FL. to serve indigent and working underprivileged adults

• 2015- LOTWC establishes Stateside Surgical Program to provide cataract and hernia surgeries for adults in need

• On July 11, 2016, LOTWC redefined its mission to focus exclusively on pediatric dentistry and established the Little Lights Dentistry Program serving children on the Treasure Coast.

• In March of 2023, Light of the World Charities registers with the state of Florida to “do business as” D/B/A Little Lights Dentistry.