Our Heritage
Since 46 people stepped out in faith to begin a church in the Sharon community in 1871, we have been seeking to impact the lives of families in the North Knoxville Community for the Kingdom of God. From the first church building completed in 1883, to the building of the Ministry Center in 2004, Sharon Baptist has always made the commitment to build what was needed to minister effectively in our setting.
Our Opportunity
This community is currently experiencing significant growth as new subdivisions are being developed and more and more people are moving into our area. In the past two years, we have had 371 new residents within a 2 mile radius of our church. We could very soon have over 200 new homes built within a half mile of the church. We are uniquely situated to reach and minister to the families around us.
Our Challenge
We are blessed with beautiful and quality facilities, and the addition of the Ministry Center has enabled us to touch many lives through a variety of programs and events. However, there are some areas of need that we must address for us to effectively continue our ministry.
- We need a Children’s facility that is both secure and inviting to our families and to families in our community.
- We need to renovate the area surrounding our Worship Center to provide a more welcoming atmosphere and better access.
- We need to do some updating of the Sanctuary itself to make it as conducive to worship as we can.
- Our Children’s classrooms have served admirably well, but have not been updated for many years, and security concerns have changed dramatically in that time. Renovation of the lower level of the Trusler Building will provide a facility that is secure, and that is designed specifically for children. This will enhance our Sunday School, Awana, and discipleship programs as well as accommodate a long-awaited Parents’ Day Out ministry.
- Renovations to the Worship Center will benefit us in a number of ways. An enhanced, open entrance will be welcoming for members and guests and will allow people to fellowship without impeding traffic flow. A concourse will provide access to the Sanctuary without going outdoors. A new foyer and entrance to the Sanctuary will improve the appearance and attractiveness of the facility. Improved access for Senior Adults will result from remodeled Sunday School space closer to the Sanctuary, with a covered drop-off close to the entrance.
- Remodeling the Sanctuary will provide an updated atmosphere for worship with improved seating and stage area as well as better lighting and enhanced appearance.
Our Need
Our current estimates are that these renovations will cost around $1.9 Million. This will be a large undertaking for our church, but if we are faithful in following God’s leadership and we give as we have been blessed, we will see God accomplish mighty things among us.
The Benefit
First of all, who can even imagine how God will bless our faithfulness? Who could have foreseen fourteen years ago the Challengers’ Basketball League meeting each week in the Ministry Center? Paul describes God as him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). If we are faithful to God’s leadership, He will use these facilities for His kingdom and His glory in ways which we cannot even dream of today!
However, there are a number of benefits we can see now – a secure and attractive facility dedicated to our children’s ministry; being able to open a Parents’ Day Out program to meet needs for families in our community; a quality meeting area for our senior adults that is close to the sanctuary; a worship center that will honor God and facilitate our worship of Him; and a church unified in our purpose of serving God and reaching our neighbors with the Good News of His grace!
Why Now?
God has opened a window of opportunity for us, and we are accountable for our faithfulness in responding. Our impact in a growing and changing community depends on our following God’s leadership. We must strive to reach our neighbors with the Gospel and to minister to their needs in the name of Christ. This is our calling, our mission, our purpose. Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)