Our Ministries

Welcome to Joy

We are a multi-generational church committed to building strong families on principles from God’s Word.

Why Visit Joy?

We love people.
It's a fact: Visiting a church can be intimidating. At Joy Christian Fellowship we make it our priority to make you feel welcome, comfortable, and loved.

We're close.
No matter where you live in the Rogue Valley, we're right in the center.

We're real.
From the music to the message, we have a genuine passion for God, life and family.
What We Believe
School Of Leaders

Church History (our story)

     Pastor Steve Schmelzer was raised as a Christian in Ashland,   Oregon. At age 16, he had a life-changing experience with God where he accepted the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Then through the rest of high school he was known as “Preacher.” Pastor Steve became a youth leader at age 17. Two years later, he enrolled at Portland Bible College, where he earned a four-year diploma. After completing college, Pastor Steve worked as an associate pastor for Parkrose Heights Assembly of God and began a college campus ministry at Portland State University.

    In 1980, God led Pastor Steve to the San Francisco Bay Area where he met Kim at a friend’s wedding. They were married about a year later and lived for a time in Portland, Oregon just prior to answering their call to pastor a church in Medford. On August 15, 1982, Joy Christian Fellowship opened its doors for ministry in a Stewart Avenue store-front location. 

    Joy is an outreach of City Bible Church (formerly Bible Temple), one of a several hundred MFI (Ministers Fellowship International) churches worldwide under the leadership of Pastor Dick Iverson . Celebrating its 25th year serving southern Oregon, Joy has evolved into a multi-generational community and training center.