Agape

Matthew 18:5  says “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” The Agape ministry is a big brother/big sister program that mentors children from the inner city of Knoxville. These children are paired with Laurel volunteers, called “bigs,” who bring them to Bible classes and worship services at Laurel.

Agape’s goal is to lead children to Christ and help instill in them spiritual values through Christian role models. The bigs do this first by loving them unconditionally. They become friends and guides. They provide support through listening and encouraging, celebrating successes and praying through difficulties.

Agape is the Greek word for God’s unconditional love. We have this kind of love when we as a congregation decide that these children are important to God.

Christian Student Center

The Christian Student Center is a college ministry on the University of Tennessee campus.  Our goals are to reach non-Christians with the love of Jesus Christ, help believing students develop an intimate relationship with God, and to provide a community of faithful support.

Children's Education

The Children's Education Ministry serves our children from the nursery all the way up through 5th grade.  This ministry provides teachers and nursery workers for all our classes on Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as overseeing the curriculum and providing all support materials.  We also work with Children's Worship and on special programs and activities for the children during the summer and holidays.

Children's Worship

Children's worship is on Sunday morning for ages 3 through kindergarten.  There are opportunities for teachers who can commit to helping for one month and also needed are volunteers who can serve as substitutes.

Communications

The goal of the Communications Ministry is to help our other ministries communicate news and information about their activities more effectively.  We aim to improve these communications both internally between members and leaders and externally between Laurel and the greater Knoxville community.  We do this through our website, publications, signs, advertising, etc.  The Communications Ministry team includes those whose interests lie in graphic design, photography, writing, editing, desktop publishing and website communication.

ESL Ministry

Our Conversational English Program held at Laurel each Wednesday evening from 7 - 8 pm offers an opportunity for International students and their families to develop and strengthen conversational English skills, cultivate friendships, share cultures and discuss religion and other topics of interest with Laurel members who serve as conversation partners. We are always happy to get more partners because there is a great interest in our local area in studying English as a second language.

Facilities/Grounds

Laurel is blessed with outstanding facilities for worship, study and fellowship.  The buildings and properties at two locations include our main church, along with the detached offices, and our Student Center at the heart of the UT campus.  The Facilities and Grounds ministry is comprised of three areas: the buildings, the land with parking and green areas, and memorials.  Also included in this ministry are our vehicles which are available for church-related functions.  A team of interested members assists in promoting improvements, maintaining the properties, and assessing technical and safety issues.

We believe that our facilities should reflect our mission to serve those who come our way.  As a result, we are continually planning and upgrading for improvements in order to be good stewards of the great physical blessings we have been given.

Fellowship

Fellowship activities allow members and visitors to meet together in a relaxed, fun setting to build and strengthen relationships with other brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a special time of fellowship at least once a month, and we aim to do a variety of things that interest everyone.  Some of our planned activities include:  New Members Luncheon, Valentine's Dinner, Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt, Mother's Day breakfast, Donuts with Dad, UT Homecoming, Fall Festival, Brunch with Santa, and our annual Virginia Creeper Biking and Camping Trip!

Finance

The purpose of the finance ministry is to assist the eldership in prudently using the Lord's money to support our:

• Mission to Build and Support Laurel
• Mission to Reach Out to Knoxville
• Mission to Go Into All the World

This is accomplished by providing support to protect church assets, providing annual support in our budgeting process, and providing longer range planning as needed.

Greeting

The Laurel Greeting Ministry ensures that visitors and members alike are cheerfully greeted as they arrive for worship and Bible class.  Greeters distribute bulletins; answer questions; show people to classes; and direct first-time visitors to the visitor information center. If you enjoy meeting and greeting people, we would love to have you participate in this ministry.

Heart 2 Heart

Heart 2 Heart groups meet Sunday eveings in member's homes or at the Laurel building.  The groups, generally composed of anywhere from 5-25 people, provide the opportunity to study, pray together and get to know one another in a more relaxed setting.

Helping Hands

The purpose of the Helping Hands ministry is to assist individuals and families from the Laurel congregation and our Knoxville community during times of financial difficulty.  A food pantry is made available by the Laurel congregation, and we provide at least one meal each month at the Volunteer Ministry Center to the homeless population of Knoxville.  We also work directly with the Compassion Coalition, the Volunteer Ministry Center, and the Community Action Committee in assisting people with their basic needs.

Involvement & Equipping

The Involvement ministry functions to assist all of the other ministries of Laurel.  As the other ministries need additional workers, Mike Buckley and others in the Involvement & Equipping ministry strive to find dedicated Christians to step up and meet these needs.

Ladies Class

The Tuesday morning class is open to ladies of all ages and offers an in-depth study of the scriptures while also providing the opportunity for building relationships among women of the congregation.  The class members work on service projects once a month and they also enjoy a covered dish luncheon once a month.

Library

There are many ways to serve through our library:

• Donate books to commemorate special occasions or in memory of loved ones
• Donate new or gently used books to the library
• Give book recommendations to the librarian
• Volunteer to help process books, staff the office desk during class time, or put up bulletin boards
• Tell your friends about library books you've enjoyed reading!

Life Abundant

The Life Abundant ministry exists to encourage and equip people to experience all that God has for them in life.  We do this through seeking balance and fulfillment through the physical, mental, relational, and spiritual aspects of life.  We utilize a variety of tools, including workshops, Bible classes, counseling, and other opportunities, to meet people where they are and walk with them in their faith journey.

Media

The media ministry helps to enhance our worship by incorporating graphics and motion to connect with our increasingly visually-oriented culture as well as running the audio and providing recordings of the lessons.  We are always seeking individuals with a passion to share Christ through the use of both technology and the arts.

Men's Ministry

The Men's Ministry exists to encourage and equip the men of Laurel to be spiritual leaders and servants in their homes, at work, in receration and within the Body of Christ.  The men of Laurel achieve these desired outcomes by becoming involved in service projects, meeting in small prayer groups, mentoring younger men, caring for elderly men, particpating in recreational activities together and taking on leadership roles at Laurel.  We hope that men will develop deep friendships, rooted in Christ, within the ministry and create an open, inclusive environment that will encourage other to become involved as well.  This ministry is open to new ideas so if you have an idea or an ability in a certain area let us know so that we can help you serve others!

Missions

The purpose of the Missions ministry is to help the Laurel congregation in fulfilling the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:18-20 (to make disciples of all the nations). Our Missions Committee provides input and recommendations to the elders regarding the distribution of funds, communicates with our missionaries, and informs the congregation of the work that our missionaries are doing throughout the world.  We currently support World Christian Broadcasting, Health Talents International, Eastern European Missions and specific mission efforts in China, Brazil, Ukraine, Indonesia, South Africa, and Kenya.  We also financially assist the Central congregation in Knoxville and the Mountain View congregation in Rutledge.  Short term mission trips are also a major emphasis of our Missions ministry.

New Members

This ministry helps our guests (visitors) to learn what it means to be a member of the Laurel congregation.  Information is provided on how one becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, how the Laurel congregation is organized, and how our guests and new members can become active in our various ministries.  This ministry also helps our guests and new members to develop relationships and is directly associated with the ministry of our Heart-to-Heart small groups.

Nursery

Our nursery program provides care for children ages infant-two years old.  Adult and teen volunteers provide childcare each Sunday during the 10:30 worship service so parents and others can have a more fulfilling worship experience.  We have three separate rooms: infants, toddlers, and two year olds, which allow children to interact with others their own age.  Buzzers are given to parents should the volunteers need parental assistance; we encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful service.

Seniors

The "Young at Heart" is a ministry by and for seniors (those members who are 55 and older.)  It organizes social events, nearby travel and field trip events, and provides services for the homebound members of the congregation.  It is a new ministry (3/09) and will shift its focus and methods as experience suggests.

Women's Ministry

The Laurel Women's Ministry consists of ministries that are accomplished primarily by women and are opportunities for service, fellowship and encouragement to grow closer to God.  Areas in which women may serve:

• Baptismal Clothing
• "Bear Hugs"
• Bereavement Food
• Bible Basics
• Christian Student Center Lunches
• Flowers to the Glory of God
• Food Care for Sick and New Mothers
• Serenity Shelter
• Showers and Teas
• Staffing Offices at the Church Building
• Teen Prayer Partners
• Volunteer Ministry Center
• Women's Prayer Ministry

Worship Ministry

The Worship Ministry is involved in thoughtful planning and leadership for our worship gatherings in conjunction with the senior minister, worship teams, worship assignments, and audio-visual ministries. The worship ministry seeks to provide meaningful worship opportunities each week.

If you are interested in participating as part of our worship support teams in any way, please contact us and together we will prayerfully seek appropriate areas of service with you.

Worship Assignments

This ministry serves the entire congregation before, during and after our worship assemblies and certain special events.  The participants in this ministry work closely with the elders and ministers to prepare for our congregational assemblies, children's worship and Bible Basics class.  Volunteers are needed weekly to prepare the Lord's Supper, serve the Lord's Supper, lead prayers, and serve as greeters, ushers, and nursery workers.

Young Professionals

The Graduates/Young Professionals Ministry aims to welcome primarily those enrolled in graduate, postgraduate, or professional programs at local universities.  It is our hope that each individual, regardless of the length of their intended stay in Knoxville, will experience encouragement and personal growth as a part of the Laurel family.  We seek to help each person develop a stronger faith in Christ even amidst educational or professional transition.

Youth

The Laurel Youth Fellowship is a ministry designed to help teens mature in their relationship with God through teaching, discipleship, experience, and various service opportunities.  The LYF group is composed of 6th through 12th grade students.