Episode 34 | Tim and Carol Smith

Episode 34 | Tim and Carol Smith

Tim and Carol Smith reflect on a lifetime of servant leadership, faithful investment in people, and helping shape the story of Fellowship City Church. In this episode of The First 50, Tim and Carol share the people and experiences that shaped their faith, how God brought their lives together, and the journey that led them to Fellowship City Church. The conversation explores their years of serving through leadership, women's ministry, and discipleship, including Tim's role in the construction of Fellowship's current sanctuary and their later transition to the Hudson Campus. Through every season, their desire has remained the same: to encourage others, build into people, and faithfully serve wherever God has called them. This episode is a reminder that some of the greatest legacies aren't built in a single moment. They're built over years of quietly investing in others, faithfully saying yes to God, and helping strengthen the Church one relationship at a time.

Episode 33 | Kathy Chamberlain

Kathy Chamberlain reflects on a life shaped by profound loss, unwavering faith, and a calling to help others find healing and hope in Christ. In this episode of The First 50, Kathy shares a deeply personal story that took her through some of life's most painful and unexpected seasons. In each of those chapters, her faith became the anchor that sustained her and ultimately shaped the calling that brought her to Fellowship City Church. Kathy also reflects on helping establish Fellowship's counseling ministry, creating a place where people could find support, encouragement, and biblical guidance through some of life's hardest moments. Her story is a reminder that God doesn't waste our pain. He often uses the places where He has brought healing in our own lives to become a source of hope and healing for others.

Episode 32 | The 50th Graduation Class of Fellowship (2026)

Four of Fellowship's 50th graduating class share what it meant to grow up, serve, and find family within City Youth. In this episode of The First 50, Marin, Bri, London, and Hunter reflect on how their stories with Fellowship began, from an unexpected invitation to youth group, to years of serving behind the scenes, to walking through difficult seasons while staying rooted in community. The conversation explores what it has meant for this class to not just attend church, but to actually help build and lead through serving, leadership, creativity, and friendship. They share favorite memories, the people who shaped their faith, and how their relationship with God grew more personal during their high school years. As they look ahead to what's next, they offer encouragement for the students coming behind them and reflect on what they hope people remember about their class. This episode is a reminder that every generation leaves its own mark on the story of a church, not simply through attendance, but through faithfulness, leadership, and love for Jesus lived out in the lives of others.

Episode 31 | Brooke Ford

Brooke Ford shares her personal story of marriage, motherhood, and finding a church home at Fellowship Orange. In this episode of The First 50, Brooke reflects on her background, her marriage, and the journey that led her family to Cleveland. She shares the story of driving by Fellowship City Church and how that moment eventually led to finding a true church home. The conversation explores Brooke's transition from attending Fellowship to serving on staff as Administrative Assistant at Fellowship Orange, and the unique perspective that comes with seeing so much of church life happen behind the scenes. She also opens up about life as a mom of two children under two, and what it has meant to raise a young family so far from home while discovering a church community that has become family. This episode is a reminder that the legacy of a church isn't only found in its history. It's being written right now through ordinary people choosing to build their lives, invest in relationships, and call a church family home.

Episode 30 | Ron and Linda Deresckey

In this episode of The First 50, Ron and Linda Deresckey reflect on a lifetime of faithfulness, family, and nearly fifty years of life within Fellowship City Church. As founding members, Ron and Linda share memories from the earliest days of the church, offering a firsthand perspective on what it was like to help launch a new congregation and watch God faithfully guide it through every season that followed. The conversation explores their faith journeys, marriage, family, and the many ways they have served the church over the years. From caring for the church facility to investing in relationships and raising generations within the Fellowship community, Ron and Linda share what it has meant to faithfully remain present through both joyful and challenging seasons. Along the way, they reflect on the people, moments, and relationships that shaped their story and the lessons they have learned from decades of walking with God and serving His church. This episode is a reminder that some of the most significant contributions to the Kingdom are built quietly over time through consistency, humility, and a lifetime of faithful service. Ron and Linda's story is one of steadfast faith, enduring relationships, and the beautiful legacy that grows when people simply remain faithful through every season.