Next adventure awaits through Before the Badge youth program
A pastor whose community is very close to his heart is retiring from the pulpit this weekend after 45 years in ministry, including 20 years locally leading the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave.
Pastor Gary Brown and his wife Noretta, have served the local congregation in two different stints, from 1998-2008, and then more recently from 2015 to the present, along with pastoring at churches in West Liberty, Ky.; Cincinnati; and in Winchester, Ky.
“In the past 45 years, there’s never been a break. We won’t know what to do,” Pastor Brown said with a chuckle, noting the couple also raised their three daughters and now has five grandchildren.
“Seeing new people come to Christ has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I enjoy the teaching aspect of pastoring — the discipling, equipping and encouraging others.”
Returning to the Bellefontaine First Church of God in 2015 after serving at a Winchester, Ky. church, has blessed the Bellefontaine couple, who will mark their 48th anniversary in August.
“We felt like it was a God thing. It’s been a very positive experience to come back,” the longtime minister and Eastern Kentucky native said, who noted that the congregation has grown to about 400 people recently.
This Sunday, May 4, the couple will be honored during a special recognition service at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Then a luncheon is planned for the congregation, fellow community members and friends from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the church’s multi-ministry gymnasium.
Guests are asked to make reservations for the lunch by contacting at the church office, (937) 592-2546.
While Pastor Brown wrapping up a rewarding career pastoring, teaching, counseling and mentoring others, he is planning to continue to use his time and his love for his community in a new way.
He’s embarking on another upcoming adventure through a new youth program he is developing for grades 4-6 — Before the Badge, in coordination with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
During the past seven years, the pastor has volunteered as a chaplain at the LCSO, and also has served as a chaplain at Mary Rutan Hospital and the Bellefontaine Fire Department.
While getting to know officials at the sheriff’s office, he has been in conversations lately with Sheriff Randy Dodds and that’s what spurred the idea for “Before the Badge.”
“We want to reach students in these formative years, grades 4-6, in Logan County, to inspire, to inform and to enlighten them,” the retiring pastor said. “We want to share with them the truth about people in authority, themselves and others. We want to be a positive influence for them.”
“The idea is to reach out to students ‘before the badge’ is there, before there is any sort of trouble,” Sheriff Dodds explained. “We want to get out in front of any potential issues.
“It helps the kids to think of the consequences of their decisions, and lets them know that law enforcement is there to help them.”
Pastor Brown has been developing the curriculum for Before the Badge in recent months by interviewing about a dozen local professionals, including deputies, dispatchers, next generation pastors, educators and administrators.
The plan is to roll out the program during the 2025-26 school year during quarterly sessions at each of the participating schools. Several Logan County school districts have already signed up for the program, with presentations and collaborations ongoing with other school districts and other area law enforcement as well.
Pastor Brown said the format of the sessions will include about 30 minutes of engaging the students with interactive games and prizes, followed by a 15-20 minute talk about the topic of the day.
The sheriff’s office will provide prizes for the youths and staff member support, including the involvement of School Resource Officers employed through the LCSO.
“I told Pastor Brown, ‘If you want to run this, we’ll support you and help you make it a go. I support him whole-heartedly. I’m excited for him and he’s excited for this opportunity,” Sheriff Dodds said.
