THERE’S AN old saying that goes, “Blood makes you related. Love makes you family.” Clint and Valerie Clarneau take this old saying to heart. The couple, along with their children and grandchildren, is a blended family that puts love and family first.
The Clarneaus also consider people in their church family. Their nondenominational church, known as The Well, is located in downtown Tullahoma and serves the community — including those experiencing homelessness.
A bivocational pastor and artist, Clint has served at The Well for nearly four years. As a traveling evangelist, he incorporates his artwork into his ministry and is also involved in jail ministry.
“Clint and I actually met in church and sang in the choir together,” Valerie said. “Clint had two children, and I had two. We had our youngest son together.”
According to the Clarneaus, they knew for certain they wanted their children to be raised in a Christian home and to know they each would be loved unconditionally.
“We don’t distinguish between yours, mine, and ours,” Valerie explained. “They’re all our children.”
Together, they have seven grandchildren. Their youngest daughter and youngest son live in Tullahoma. Their other two daughters live in Murfreesboro, and their oldest son lives in Franklin. While the older children attend other churches, their youngest son has been involved with student ministry at The Well and through mission trips.
As they love their children unconditionally, Clint and Valerie also love the people at The Well unconditionally.
“While I don’t have a specific title or job at the church, I feel a need to make sure those who walk through our doors feel loved, accepted, and heard,” Valerie said. “I want them to know Jesus loves them, and we do, too.”
Valerie supports her husband as needed, as he cares for the church’s needs. The Well offers opportunities for all ages. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., and those attending can enjoy breakfast beforehand — followed by the service at 11 a.m. Monday nights are reserved for prayer meetings. Young adults usually meet on Fridays at 7 p.m., and the youth meet on Sunday afternoons.
On Saturday nights, from 6-10 p.m., the building transforms from The Well into Cafe Agape — a place where people of all ages can gather and fellowship. On the last Saturday of each month, it offers special activities such as bingo or trivia nights. Cafe Agape also occasionally hosts concerts.
At first glance, people passing by may not realize the cafe also serves as a church. Its welcoming atmosphere invites visitors to step inside — offering a safe place for those going through difficult seasons, including homelessness, to connect with their Tullahoma neighbors without feeling judged.
The open doors of The Well and Cafe Agape provide opportunities for the Clarneaus and other members of their church family to minister to people from all walks of life who need a little help. One way the church helps the homeless community is by opening its doors during the daytime in the winter months when weather conditions are extreme.
“We are also beginning a ministry to support those affected by suicide,” Valerie said. “We have a counselor associated with our church who is available for individual or group counseling.
“We want everyone to know we love our church members and consider them all family. We really make an effort to bear one another’s burdens and to support each other through prayer and service.”
Some of the people who are now members of The Well found the church while scrolling through online content. Others simply wandered in. For the Clarneaus, it doesn’t matter how they arrived.
“Our goal is to make everyone feel at home while instilling in them solid biblical truth and the love of family,” Valerie said. “Our mission statement is Acts 1:8, which says, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”
The name of the church, The Well, comes from the Bible and refers to the story of the woman at the well ( John 4).
“We operate to serve people who are far from God,” Pastor Clint said, “people that others may have given up on, knowing Jesus still seeks connection with them. We invite anyone seeking connection or a church home to come and be a part of our family.” GN
The Well is located in downtown Tullahoma at 121 W. Lincoln St.
