Local churches gathered in the Marbeck Commons on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for the Bluffton University Church Fair. Church representatives interacted with students and faculty from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., promoting their church/ministry and participating in giveaways and games.
(L to R) Jason Oakley, Pastor Steven Heinze and Richard Carr of Beacon Life Ministries. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Beacon Life Ministries
125 N Main St, Bluffton, Ohio
“We are a very friendly church,” said Richard Carr. “We welcome everybody.”
Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m., followed by Sunday Worship at 11 a.m. Weekly Bible study with Pastor Steven Heinze is every Thursday at 7 p.m.
Kelly Essinger (left) and friends representing Bluffton Community Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Bluffton Community Church
601 N Main St. Bluffton, Ohio
Part of Findlay Evangelical Free Church Family
“Everyone is welcome,” said Kelly Essinger, “It’s really casual, no dress code.”
Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. at The Centre, across from the Bluffton Pool. Small focus groups meet on Sunday nights, including the new group aimed towards college students.
(L to R) Pastor Bob Clinger and Kelly Bender representing Bluffton First United Methodist Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Bluffton First United Methodist Church
116 Church St, Bluffton, Ohio
Methodist
Blended Sunday Worship services are at 10:30 a.m. with a bible study on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Free breakfast is offered on the second Saturday of each month 7 to 10 a.m.
(L to R) Cindy Gillen, Reverend Karol Schilling and Dick Mcgarrity representing Bluffton Presbyterian Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Bluffton Presbyterian
112 N Main St, Bluffton, Ohio
Presbyterian
“We are a family church,” said Reverend Karol Schilling. “We will get to know you and welcome students in our doors. There are no pre-requisites for coming to worship with us. We have a place for everybody.”
Sunday worship is in person and livestreamed via the church’s Facebook account at 10:15 a.m. and later posted on their website. Faith Formation precedes Sunday Worship service at 9 a.m.
Ken Larence and Chris Morrissey representing the Bluffton chapter of Religious Society of Friends. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Broadmead Religious Society of Friends
Bluffton Worship Group: 118 S Spring St., Bluffton, Ohio
Toledo Worship Group: The Victory Center 3166 N Republic Blvd, Toledo, Ohio
Quaker
“We offer a very different worship experience,” said Chris Morrissey, “We worship in silence, waiting upon the word to be shared amongst us if we feel the spirit moving us.”
Silent worship is observed every Sunday at 10 a.m. in person and on Zoom for the Toledo Worship group, while the Bluffton Worship group takes place on the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month. Check the Bluffton Friends group website for various locations and Toledo hybrid events.
Pastor Janet Wend and congregation member representing Cornerstone Church Lima. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Cornerstone Church Lima
2000 N Cole St, Lima, OH
Non-denominational
“We love god, we love people,” said Pastor Janet Wend. “We are a very diverse church, and we would love to have them [students] come and worship with us.”
Cornerstone Church Lima is a place of freedom according to Pastor Janet Wend and is somewhere people can come to feel the presence of God and find their true purpose. Sunday Worship starts at 10 a.m. with “Worship & Prayer Night” on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.
From left, Tiffany Gallent, Dylan Whitlow, David Glick and Tim Gallent representing Ebenezer Mennonite Church.
Ebenezer Mennonite Church
8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, Ohio
Mennonite
“We are just here to work together so people can come to know Christ and serve Jesus and whatever it is God has called them to do,” said David Glick, Pastor of Student Ministries.
Sunday worship service begins at 10:15 a.m. in the Crossroads Ministry Center. A Bible study group for college students/young adults is hosted by Jim “Train” King every Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Conference Room.
Renea Caski and Pastor Jeremy Mann representing Emmanuel United Church of Christ and St. John United Church of Christ. Photo by Payton Stephens.
Emmanuel United Church of Christ/ St. John United Church of Christ
Emmanuel UCC: 8375 Phillips Rd, Bluffton, Ohio.
St. John UCC: 223 W College Ave, Bluffton, OH
Mainline Protestant
Jeremy Mann is the pastor of both Emmanuel United Church of Christ as well as St. John United Church of Christ. St. John’s Sunday Worship takes place at 9 a.m. with Sunday School and Fellowship Hour at 10 a.m. Emmanuel hosts Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m. in person and online.
Carrie Mast and Trustworthy Schumacher representing First Mennonite Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
First Mennonite Church
101 S Jackson St, Bluffton, Ohio
Mennonite
“We are an inclusive congregation,” said Carrie Mast, Interim pastor of Christian Education and Administration. “There are so many people ready to have you come visit. I’m sure it would result in an invitation for a meal at some point.”
First Mennonite welcomes anyone and everyone to Noodle Night, every Wednesday 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday morning worship starts at 10:30 a.m. following Sunday school at 9 a.m.
Jenny Lovett representing St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
160 N Spring St, Bluffton, Ohio
Catholic
“You [students] are welcome to come and attend any of our services, we would love to have you,” said Jenny Lovett. “We would love to help you through your faith journey, wherever that is.”
Mass is held at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, 9 a.m. services on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and a Thursday service at noon.
Pastor Dan and wife Holly Metzger representing St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
St. Marks United Methodist Church
800 S Main St, Findlay, Ohio
Methodist
“We love college students and the community,” said Pastor Dan Metzger. “We’ve had several Bluffton students that have found their way to us in the past, so anything we can do to help students feel at home while they are here, help them find a “home church,” we want to do that for them.”
Sunday Worship takes place at 9 a.m. followed by Sunday School classes at 10 a.m. in the church. A contemporary service is held every Sunday at 11:15 a.m. in the Dock.
From left, Dan Sprague, Jason Yost, Gwen Sprague and Julie Yoder representing St. John Mennonite Church. Photo by Payton Stephens.
St. John Mennonite Church
15988 Rd 4, Pandora, Ohio
Mennonite
“We have a lot of fun and are just focused on teaching the Word,” said Julie Yoder.
St. John offers various ways of engaging with Christ, including an active college career group aging from recent high school graduates to age 30. Bible study sessions are also held at Yoder’s house on Tuesday nights. Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowship takes place every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. followed by Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
