Our Story
The History of Christian Life CenterPeople....ministry is about people, and the history of Christian Life Center reflects our commitment to building relationships rooted in Christ. The congregation began in September of 1968 and met at Belle Haven School on Free Pike. Under the leadership of Pastor Roger Hillegas, the church continued to meet at that location until a new building could be completed. |
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By March of 1970, our church family had grown and expanded enough to establish our first building, then known as the Northwest Assembly of God. It was built on three acres of property located on Denlinger Road. In July of 1971, Pastor David Ridge began his ministry, along with his wife Jan and their daughter. By the late 70’s the church had experienced significant and steady growth, expanding to over 500 people. For 19 years Pastor Ridge successfully ministered at what became known as Christian Life Center, reaching our community and strengthening believers in their spiritual walk. |
In 1981 Christian Life Center (formally Northwest Assembly of God) permanently relocated to our address at 3489 Little York Road. This move allowed CLC to continue to grow and to reach more people in our community.
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Ground breaking for the 1000 seat sanctuary and educational facility was held on February 10, 1980with construction starting the next day. After Pastor Ridge’s departure in the summer of 1990, CLC was in search of a new leader who would continue to develop a God-sized vision for our growing congregation of about 1,000 people. Pastor Stan Tharp and his wife Joyce had served CLC for seven years. Pastor Stan was the Ministry Administrator. |
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He was overwhelmingly approved by a special vote of the Church Council to be Christian Life Center’s Senior Pastor on August 26, 1990. He and his wife Joyce and their two children have served in this position since that time. In the mid-1990’s the Lord led Pastor Stan and our church leadership to develop a standard of Excellence in Ministry that defined CLC’s values and vision. This effort birthed several partnerships with inner city churches and ministries to our urban community. |
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To accommodate our continued growth, Christian Life Center added a 35,000 square foot expansion to its original Little York Road facilities. This addition added a gymnasium, classroom and office space that was greatly needed and is used extensively by the variety of ministries at Christian Life Center. It was our commitment to build this building and not incur any long-term debt. With the faithful giving of our congregation, this was made possible. |
During the late 1990’s CLC developed our version of being a “purpose driven church.” This was done to better reach people in our community and assimilate them into our church family. This process helps people develop their relationships with God and others, pursue their personal spiritual growth, find an effective place to serve in ministry, and identify their mission to our world. All of this is done in the context of learning to worship God in song, message, and daily living. Since adopting our Path with a Purpose, CLC has continued to grow from around 1,600 people to over 2,500 attenders.
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At the turn of the millennia (2000-2001) we found it necessary to provide a helpful place for our growing youth ministry to meet. With the faithful giving of our congregation, and significant volunteer help, we were able to add our 10,000 sq. foot Student Life Center to CLC’s campus…again without incurring any long-term debt. The “Student Life Center” is a tremendous tool for our students in particular, as well as a variety of the ministries of our church. |
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Recently, a transformational idea became reality as CLC took its first step toward becoming “one church in several locations.” In February of 2004, “CLC Beavercreek” was launched at the Regal Cinemas behind the Mall at Fairfield Commons. After 8 years in the theater, they moved into a permanent space in 2012 located on Research Park Dr. in Beavercreek.
Then, in April of 2010, "CLC North" was launched in the new Cinemark Theater and moved to their permanent location in October 2015. CLC South opened in the Fall of 2012 in Medlar View Elementary in Miamisburg and then moved to Rec West in Washington Twp in August 2015. These new extensions of the CLC family offer dynamic worship services in a non-traditional environment, and are attracting a new generation of people longing for a relationship with God in an authentic community of believers.
Near the end of 2011, we completed an exciting new addition to the Little York campus. The 27,000 square foot Connection Center added some exciting and much needed spaces to our facility, including a dedicated Cafe, 6 new discipleship classrooms, a 250 seat auditorium, and tons of relational, relaxing "hang out" space.
Finding new and innovative ways to share the message of God’s love and grace is the legacy of Christian Life Center. As we continue to touch lives in our community, we invite you to become a part of our history!