“For Logan County makes me excited because I get to go out in the community and serve others without expecting anything in return,” says Kenzie Daulton, a member of Bellefontaine Grace Church, in Bellefontaine, Ohio (Daniel O’Kane, lead pastor). “I want to show Jesus to every person I meet in the community, every day.”
For Logan County (FLC) grew out of an idea birthed during a cohort on community outreach at Access (the Charis Fellowship’s national conference). With a congregation of 150 members and the pastors at Bellefontaine knew they needed assistance to achieve their goal. Marysville Grace (Marysville, Ohio), Wooster Grace (Wooster, Ohio), and Grace Fellowship (Pickerington, Ohio) (all congregations within the Charis Fellowship) came alongside Bellefontaine to help start For Logan County.
“When we thought we were too small we had this awesome network of churches supporting us,” says Ethan Bunce, the assistant pastor at Bellefontaine.
As a result of the churches working together, FLC became a week-long community service and outreach event. This summer it entered its second year with nearly 80 percent of church member participation.
Kicking off this summer’s FLC week was a visit to a nursing home in which volunteers made crafts, and held a sing-a-long of old hymns with the residents. The following day, members of Bellefontaine were then encouraged to invite a neighbor into their home for dinner. Day three consisted of mulching and planting flowers at a local park. That same evening, the congregation hosted a prayer walk coupled with distributing fliers inviting people to a block party later in the week.
“The goal is to constantly be interacting with people,” says Ethan, “and God has used different people with their specific gift in each area.”
Friday night’s block party proved to be a fun and successful event 
complete with bounce houses, live music, and free food. People who attended were then invited to attend Bellefontaine’s special outdoor Saturday night service, designed to end the FLC week. The church also donated balls for a local basketball court, built a baby crib for a mother in need, and helped a family finish their bedroom and nursery during FLC week.
“It’s amazing to see people that are genuinely thankful for the time 
we spend with them as a result of For Logan County,” says Tylor Burt, a member and the photographer for the church. “What makes me excited is knowing the possible impact we can have on people who might be struggling and showing that we care. Knowing and see that God is working in people’s lives is truly something to celebrate!”
For Logan County has become a staple mission for Bellefontaine Grace. The church plans to work with and donate items to a local pregnancy center toward the end of October.
This story appeared in GraceConnect eNews. To subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter that includes news and information from congregations in the Charis Fellowship, click here.