Jim Kluth
Lead Pastor
I was raised in a Bible-believing home by parents who loved Jesus and were serious about serving Him, but I didn’t get excited about my faith until the middle of my freshman year in college. A friend took me to a Wednesday night Bible study attended by over 120 college students every week, and that’s where God began to teach me more about knowing Him personally and actively trusting Jesus. After college, God led me to Rochester, Minnesota, where I taught at a classical Christian school for many years. During that time He also brought Tara into my life! We were married in 1998 and we have four adult children, three boys and a girl. Tara and I (and our dog Reggie!) moved to Columbus in January 2026. We are excited to serve God at Columbus Berean, and we look forward to how God will use us in this community. A favorite verse of mine is John 20:31, which says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”
Matt Behlen
Elder
God called me to become an elder at Columbus Berean and I have been serving as such since May 2025. I came to saving faith in Christ when God convicted me with His perfect word (Romans 6:23 and John 14:6), that I had been living for myself and not for His glory. At that moment, I committed my life to Christ, trusting in His promise of forgiveness, and thankful for His costly payment for my sin and perfect mercy and grace that he continues to show me every day. I am passionate about spreading the true gospel of Christ for the salvation of others as well as encouraging and discipling others while living in community, for God’s glory. I have a heart for shepherding God’s flock and would love to come alongside you in glorifying and serving Christ. I am married to Jodi, and we are blessed to have five children: Cade, Brook, Ashley, Brett, and Addison.
Kim Buss
Administrative Assistant
I came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ when I was 12. After what felt like a lifetime of seeking love and acceptance in all the wrong places, God began to reveal His love for me through the truth of His Word. To this day, I am still humbled by God’s love and grace to set me free from sin so that I can have a relationship with Him. God has blessed me with my husband, Kyle, and our four children: Ann, Anaiah, Aliyah, and Wyatt. Columbus Berean has been our church home since 2011. Before beginning my role as Administrative Assistant, I served with youth in our Wednesday night and Sunday school programs and participated in weekly Bible studies. It is a great joy of mine to build authentic relationships with others as we seek to live lives that honor and glorify God.
