Current NewsletterJoe Cluff was born in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from the Ohio State University 1991, after which he vowed he would never return to school again. Eighteen months later he entered seminary to pursue a master’s degree in church history.
Towards the end of his course work in the early spring of 1995, two friends gave Joe’s name to the CMF recruiter. Joe had no imminent plans after completing his coursework so he thought a free lunch with a recruiter might prove beneficial. After lunch, Joe realized he was heading to Africa as a short term associate to help develop a youth program with the Maasai people. He affiliated with CMF in May, 1995 and arrived in Kenya in February, 1996.
Kim began her journey with CMF through a summer internship to Thailand after her junior year of college. She returned and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology education at Purdue University in the spring of 1999. After teaching chemistry for two years at Frankfort High School (home of the Hotdogs), Kim was given the opportunity to teach English in Japan for a year.
When she returned, it wasn’t clear exactly what the next step in life would be, so she applied to attend grad school at Wheaton College. Weeks before the start of the fall semester, Kim received a call from the missionary who had hosted her in Thailand years before. He had recently taken on the position of Director of Recruitment at CMF. After much discussion and prayer, she accepted a position in the home office overseeing short-term service opportunities.
In 2006 while Joe was on furlough, the hand of God (looking a lot like loved ones in the CMF office) drew Joe and Kim together. Initially Joe was hesitant because he is crusty and old. But after a romantic Thanksgiving break in Kenya complete with washed out and bumpy roads, Kim accepted Joe’s proposal of marriage. They were united together on September 8th, 2007.
Kim and Joe returned to Kenya in May, 2008. They are working to strengthen the leadership of the Maasai churches.
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