~ News ~

Smoky Mountains Association Celebrates First Year

     (August 1, 2009, Knoxville, Tennessee) The Smoky Mountains Association held its first annual associational meeting on Friday and Saturday, July 31 - August 1 at the Hardin Valley Free Will Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

     State Moderator, Glenn Poston, was the keynote speaker at the Friday evening service.  The missionary services on Saturday featured Home Missionaries Clayton and Tammy Hampton.  The Hamptons are serving in Clarksville, Tennessee.  After securing the property and paying it off, they are now raising funds to begin a building in the near future.

     The meeting was well attended, and plans are already underway for a great second annual conference August 6-7, 2010.

Smoky Mountains Association Youth Win in National CTS Competition

     (July 22, 2009, Cincinnati, Ohio) Five individuals and one group won awards at the National CTS Competition in Cincinnati.  Third place winners were Calah Woods of Fairview on banners and Heather Woods of Fairview on single photo. 

     Second place winners were Hermon Phuntling of Hardin Valley on drawing and Ashlee Presley of Hardin Valley on keyboard solo. 

     Winning first place were Brandon Presley of Hardin Valley on keyboard solo and Puppets-a-Praisin' of Hardin Valley on recorded puppets.

     Congratulations to all our youth who competed at the local, state and national level.  You are all winners!

State Accepts New Association

     (November 2008, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) The Tennessee State Association of Free Will Baptist have voted in their annual meeting to accept the new Smoky Mountains Association of Free Will Baptists as part of the state.  The new association is made up of fourteen churches in the Knoxville - Smoky Mountains area.

Constitution Finished

     (August 19, Knoxville, Tennessee) The Constitution Committee finished the work on the drafting of a Constitution of the new Smoky Mountains Association of Free Will Baptists.  The constitution may be viewed on the association website.

     Two more sessions are planned to work on the By-Laws and Policy and Procedures.

Western Quarterly Conference to become Smoky Mountains Association

     (August 16, Greeneville, Tennessee) After unanimous votes in the Quarterly Meeting and the annual Union Association Meeting the Smoky Mountains Association of Free Will Baptists is closer to becoming a reality.  In November, the association will make an appeal to be accepted into the Tennessee State Association of Free Will Baptists and that will complete the transformation.