BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A familiar face has been tapped to head Bellingham’s largest homeless outreach organization.

Lighthouse Mission Ministries announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, that it’s named Alvin Helms as its next president and CEO.

Helms has served in an interim role since former Lighthouse CEO Hans Erchinger-Davis stepped down in June after 20 years with the organization.

Prior to joining Lighthouse, Helms worked as board president and Chief Operating Officer for the Tacoma Rescue Mission before serving as a pastor at Northside Community Church in Bellingham.

Helms says he’ll keep the mission’s focus on addressing homelessness through a faith-based approach.

“At the Lighthouse Mission, we will keep our focus on healing homelessness through Christ’s power and love,” Helms said in a news release. “I hope to continue the great work that has been done for over 100 years by the staff, donors, and community partners of the Lighthouse Mission. Being there for our neighbors in their times of need is a privilege that I do not take for granted.”

The appointment comes ahead of a winter that will see two nightly shelters operating in Bellingham, with Road2Home joining Lighthouse Mission.