A group of 32 believers took a leap of faith and moved almost 500 miles to Athens to form a church. But when the group held its first service, it opened the doors of a less orthodox venue: the Athena Cinema at 20 S. Court St.
Yesterday marked the first service for Brookfield Church, offering up free coffee, doughnuts and a simple message: love for Jesus.
Aaron Kuhnert, pastor of Brookfield, said he hopes the nascent church can serve both Ohio University students and Athens area.
“We feel that God has asked us to start a local church,” Kuhnert said. “We want to reflect the community that we’re in.”
He said holding services in The Athena would be an asset for the church.
“It’s so close to campus, which is great,” he said. “But it’s going to be a little bit of a challenge to make a 100-year-old movie theater feel like a church,” he said.
Brookfield belongs to a network of six other churches and is partially funded by Kuhnert’s home church, Vine Community Church in Carbondale, Ill.
Kuhnert said he was not raised in the church and only at the insistence of his friend did he attend church for the first time his junior year of college, about seven years ago.
“I told him no for about an entire semester,” he said. “Sundays are for football and hangovers.”
After attending service for three Sundays, Kuhnert said he became a Christian, a devotion that changed the course of his life.
“I felt like God had made himself real to me,” he said. “I realized right away that I was meant to be a pastor ... God was asking me to give up my life and serve others.”
Kuhnert knew he wanted to start a church someday in a college town but didn’t know where. When he decided to visit seven different campuses throughout the country, Athens was Kuhnert’s last stop.
“When we came to Athens, my wife and I immediately loved the town. I feel a connection here with the culture here.”
It was then that Kuhnert decided to pick things up and move to Athens, something he said he doesn’t regret.
Of the 32 who made the move to Athens, Kuhnert is the only one on the payroll.
Joe Morales, a senior studying sociology and a football linebacker, has volunteered with Brookfield for about a month.
Brookfield offers four small groups designed to meet different demographics. Morales said he has enjoyed his small group and that it has assisted him in better knowing the church.
“My wife and I attend the small group sessions,” he said. “It’s nice because it feels like family … not like a typical church.”
Kenny Basnett, who works under Kuhnert, said the commitment and sacrifice made by staff and volunteers has been crucial to Brookfield’s success.
“Many quit their jobs, some transferred schools or switched their majors,” he said. “We’re so glad to be here.”
cd234008@ohiou.edu
