By Nita Wilkinson, Faith Editor

For four years, Senior Pastor Justin Cluck has led Bellefontaine First Family, 2833 U.S. Route 68, with a simple desire: to help people encounter God, grow in their faith, and engage both their community and the world around them.

Justin and his wife, Erica, children’s pastor, are raising their two daughters, 14-year-old Emery and 10-year-old Eden, while serving a congregation that intentionally embraces every generation.

Bellefontaine First Family, formerly known as First Assembly of God, describes itself as a Holy Spirit-filled church with a passion for worship and a heart for people. Sunday mornings are marked by vibrant, passionate worship and biblical teaching, but church leaders say one of the congregation's greatest strengths is its intergenerational makeup.

"We have a pretty even split among multiple generations," said Cluck. "There is room for everyone here."

That idea is reflected in the church's four guiding cornerstones:

• Room to Meet with God

• Room to Connect with Others

• Room to Grow in Your Walk with God

• Room to Engage with Our Community

While Bellefontaine First Family is committed to serving Logan County, it also has a heart for missions around the world. The church currently supports 38 missionaries serving across the globe.

Two of those missionaries have roots at Bellefontaine First Family. A former youth pastor is now serving in Madagascar, while a former church teen and her husband minister through Chi Alpha at the University of Memphis. Chi Alpha is an international, interdenominational campus ministry dedicated to reaching college students and helping them grow in their faith.

Bellefontaine First Family gathers for worship each Sunday at 10:35 a.m. Midweek ministries meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and include Bible studies and activities for children, youth, and adults. Small groups are scheduled to relaunch this fall, and a Young Adult gathering meets on the fourth Sunday of each month.

The church is also preparing to host its annual Freedom Fest tonight, Friday June 25. The community event begins at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. Guests can enjoy food trucks, games, and family activities before Evangelist Ryan Young speaks at 7 p.m.

For the Clucks and the congregation at Bellefontaine First Family, ministry extends far beyond the walls of the church building. Whether supporting missionaries on the other side of the world, discipling children and students, or welcoming neighbors for a

summer celebration, their desire remains the same: to create space for people to encounter Christ and discover a place to belong. ■