When Rev. Marcella Ciccotelli stepped out of her car and onto the campus of Bluffton University she had no idea where God was leading her. But, she knew God was calling her to minister to young adults in her area. Loaded with a prayer, a pin maker, and an outgoing personality, she set up a table at an orientation gathering for new students. With that, Refuge 461 was born.

Refuge 461 is based on the scripture from Psalm 46:1, "God is my refuge and my strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble." This ministry, which started in 2020, provides a welcoming and accepting community for college students. Refuge 461 focuses on community, connection, and belonging, and seeks to reach students who may have stepped away from their Christian faith or feel uncomfortable with traditional church settings.

“Marcella comes up with creative programming that reaches students in ways that traditional worship might not,” said Chalsi Campbell, Campus pastor, at Bluffton University. “It is not a competition, it’s a collaboration. The more people who minister to our students the better,” she said.

Refuge 461 offers a variety of events and activities, crafting sessions to discussions on mental health, and provides a safe and inclusive space for students to explore faith and build relationships. Other activities include a Wilderness Prayer Walk, Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold, and community service projects. Sometimes Refuge 461 provides free coffee and a place just to “be.”The ministry is supported by the university and works in collaboration with other campus clubs and organizations.

Student interns focus on ways to engage and invite other university students to attend Refuge 461 events. Activities and events for the group are publicized through Instagram, other social media platforms, and by word of mouth.

“Refuge has reached people who might not have a community on campus. It helped them find a place where they belong,” said Anton Miller, Bluffton student and former intern.

Attendance at the various worship expressions and activities fluctuates. Marcella recognizes that every student’s needs and schedules are different. There may be 5 participants or there may be 80. Although attendance may vary, Refuge 461 and Marcella are consistent.

Olivia Westcott was the first Refuge 461 intern. Now a graduate of Bluffton, she looks back at her experience with Refuge and is grateful for her experiences. “Helping Marcella with Refuge gave me a chance to be a leader, and to learn more about myself. And now, that I’m out on my own, I have a good friend, too.”

Ciccotelli is grateful for the opportunity and space to serve in this capacity and credits her local churches, Ottawa Trinity and Riley Creek, for their flexibility and encouragement.

The West Ohio Conference, area congregations, and individual contributors partly fund Refuge 461.

"There are amazing new church and ministry starts in West Ohio of which Refuge 461 is one," Ciccotelli said. "Twenty-year-olds are actively engaged in ministry in West Ohio and love their connections to God, to us and each other."

Written by Kay Panovec, Director of Communications for the West Ohio Conference