Reaching Out to the Community

Reaching out into the community to share the love of Christ with our neighbors.

Tyson House
Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry Center

Located on the campus of the University of Tennessee, members prepare and serve meals to UT students before their evening worship service.  Members also support this ministry by participating in the annual "Cut Above Rummage Sale."
Contact:  Lisa Beckman

Knox Area Rescue Ministry (KARM)

Their Mission is to seek to rescue the poor and needy of the Knox Area by providing services in Jesus' name.
How you can connect:

• Join a team of individuals committed to cook and serve meals every 7th Saturday to the homeless
• Provide support to families as they transition back into housing
• Make donations to the LCAMM store
• Collect food for Tent of Hope, a Thanksgiving meal
  Contact:  John Stancher or Don McWilliams

Habitat for Humanity

To date, volunteers from St. John's Lutheran Church have participated in building 6 houses!
Weekly volunteers help with building, roofing, painting, vinyl siding, and financial classes.
Contact:  Dale Teague

Family Promise

Family Promise of Knoxville, also known as Interfaith Hospitality Network, is a non-profit organization that provides shelter, meals and support to families without homes, in an effort to enable independence.
St. John's provides congregational support to 1st Presbyterian Church, by sending a team of volunteers to cook and serve meals to families staying there, for 1 week, every 3 months.
Contact:  Konnie Anderson

Kids Hope USA

KIDS HOPE USA is a national program that began in 1994, and is now in 27 states, to engage church members in a one-to-one relationship with at-risk public elementary school children. In coordination with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the KIDS HOPE USA Program currently has 23 trained St. John's Lutheran Church volunteers carefully matched with an at-risk child. Volunteers spend one hour per week mentoring a student at Christenberry Elementary School in the St. John's Lutheran Church neighborhood.

How you can connect with Kids Hope USA:

• Become a mentor to a student at Christenberry Elementary School
• Commit to pray for the mentors and students
  

Contact:  Thea Peterson, Ministry Coordinator, thea@sjlcknox.org

Circles of Support

Part of the Mayor's Office of the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and organized through Compassion Coalition, Circles of Support are made up of 6-8 individuals who provide support and encouragement to a formerly homeless person as they begin a fresh start.
Contact:  Jessica Bocangel, jessica@compassioncoalition.org

Mobile Meals

The Senior Nutrition "Mobile Meals" Program provides hot, nutritious meals to the homebound elderly delivered by volunteers Monday through Friday. St. John's Lutheran Church volunteers serve at two of the 61 routes; people living at Guy B. Love Tower, and a driving route within the neighborhood around St. John's Lutheran Church. In addition to serving meals, volunteers also check on the meal recipients, reporting any concerns regarding health or safety to the staff of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee Office On Aging for follow-up.
Contact:  Thea Peterson, Ministry Coordinator, thea@sjlcknox.org

Volunteer Ministry Center

The Volunteer Ministry Center is a non-profit, interfaith agency serving the poor and homeless of Knoxville. Their mission is to restore dignity and productivity to the lives of the homeless, mentally ill and working poor by providing programs that help them achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency.

Volunteers from St. John's Lutheran Church serve weekly in the Broadway Clinic and twice a month in the Hispanic Clinic, to provide healthcare to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to receive care.
Contact:  Thea Peterson, Ministry Coordinator, thea@sjlcknox.org

Dove Tree

Members from St. John's Lutheran Church annually provide gifts to approximately 80 needy children at Christmas. 
Contact:  Thea Peterson, Ministry Coordinator, thea@sjlcknox.org

Highways and Byways Ministry

Led by Preacher Bob Burger, this ministry worships at St. John's Lutheran Church during the winter months every Thursday.  Volunteers help with weekly worship services and meals.
Contact:  Jon Efteland

Genesis Team

The Genesis Team serves to make visitors and new members feel welcomed through receptions and informational brochures.
Contact:  Ruth Petersen