Dotson Memorial Baptist Church is a Christ-centered congregation at 814 Dotson Memorial Road in Maryville, Tennessee, known for gospel-centered worship, biblical teaching, discipleship and a wide range of ministries for children, students, adults and families. Its mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples and equipping believers to live for Christ in everyday life.
Rooted and Built Up at Dotson Memorial Road
The church's theme, “Rooted and Built Up in Christ,” reflects its emphasis on being grounded in God's Word and growing in Christian life. Dotson Memorial is committed to making disciples, loving its community and sharing the hope of the gospel through worship, biblical teaching and living on mission. Its work stretches from local service in Maryville to regional teams across the United States and international missions. The main church building includes a Family Life Center, main auditorium and an Auxiliary Building in the lower parking lot.
Sunday morning guests are greeted by Welcome Team members stationed at each entrance. The Family Life Center is the easiest family route because its drive-under canopy leads to a team ready to help with check-in and directions. The Auxiliary Building and Youth Center are in the lower lot.
Sunday Begins at 9:15 with LifeGroups
LifeGroups are Dotson Memorial's name for Bible-centered small groups, and most meet at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. Adult groups meet across the church campus. At the same hour, children in kindergarten through sixth grade gather for age-specific classes in the Family Life Center, while seventh- through twelfth-graders meet in the lower parking lot and are served a free breakfast.
Nursery care for infants through Pre-K is available upstairs in the Family Life Center during both the 9:15 LifeGroup hour and 10:45 worship service. Nursery-age children may also remain with their family throughout worship. Students join the congregation for the 10:45 service after their LifeGroup. A Plan Your Visit form is also available.
What a Sunday Worship Service Sounds Like
Morning worship begins at 10:45 a.m. in the main auditorium, and an evening service is held at 5:00 p.m. A typical morning moves from congregational singing to prayer, special music, preaching and an invitation to respond. The songs include hymns and spiritual songs, while choir members, vocal groups and soloists provide additional music. Different men from the church lead prayer during the service.
The pastor's message is rooted in Scripture and intended to help people apply biblical truth to daily life. At the close, the church extends an invitation for someone to trust Jesus, renew a commitment or come forward to pray. The altar is open, with staff and leadership available to pray and offer support. There is no strict dress code; members and guests are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and welcome.
Sunday worship can be watched through the livestream beginning at 10:45 a.m. Past messages can also be heard through YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The open, song-led and Scripture-centered service gives first-time visitors a clear picture of how worship is practiced at Dotson Memorial.
DMBC Kids: From Nursery Through Sixth Grade
DMBC Kids serves children from eight weeks through sixth grade in safe, fun and age-appropriate settings. Its leaders are trained and background-checked, and families use a secure electronic check-in system. Sunday LifeGroups and Children's Church teach God's Word through worship, games, Bible lessons and activities, with the gathering in the Family Life Center built around large-group worship and age-specific learning.
Preschoolers meet in the nursery area, and kindergarten through sixth-grade students gather in the Family Life Center gymnasium. Children may attend Children's Church during the main worship hour or stay with their parents. Ambassador Kids is the Wednesday discipleship ministry, combining worship, games, interactive lessons and themed nights for kindergarten through sixth grade, with nursery care for children from eight weeks through Pre-K.
DMBC Students: Making Disciples Who Make Disciples
DMBC Students is directed by Student Pastor Jason Roe and serves seventh- through twelfth-graders with the aim of making disciples who make disciples. Sunday LifeGroups begin at 9:15 a.m. in the lower parking lot and include free breakfast, a group gathering, separate sessions for guys and girls, and book-by-book Bible study.
Wednesday youth worship begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Center. The student band leads worship, followed by small-group prayer and biblical teaching from Pastor Jason. Afterward, students share a free meal and remain in the gym for informal time until 8:30 p.m. The stated goals are to know God through his Word, love the church and live on mission through outreach and evangelism.
Wednesday at Six: Worship, Bible Study and Prayer
The Wednesday Midweek Service, or MDWK, begins at 6:00 p.m. and is designed for all ages. Its three parts are worship, Bible study and prayer. The Wednesday livestream begins at 6:20 p.m.
LifeGroups for Every Season of Life
Beyond the general 9:15 gathering, individual groups have distinct emphases and locations. The choices include:
- Truth Be Told is for adults 18 and older, especially young adult singles and couples, and meets at 9:30 a.m. in the LifeCenter game room.
- T.U.F.F., or Training Up Faithful Families emphasizes Acts 2:42, service, influence, integrity and teamwork, with ministries including care, Jar of Blessings, Mission Maryville and GodStrong.
- Walking With Jesus, GraceLife, Going Deeper, Early Risers, Mayberry and The Word each provide regular settings for Scripture, fellowship and support.
- GraceLife is specifically devoted to expositional Bible study, while Going Deeper meets near the Fellowship Hall and Mayberry meets in room 101.
- Mission Possible primarily welcomes people age 60 and older for Bible study, discussion and active service within the church.
- Senior Mixed Adults focuses on spiritual growth, fellowship, service and sharing faith with the wider community.
- Women of the Word welcomes women of all ages for fellowship, prayer and support through ongoing challenges.
Rapha Recovery: A Faith-Based Path to Healing
Rapha Recovery is a state-certified Faith-Based Initiative rooted in Ephesians 2:10. It offers a Christ-centered environment for people seeking healing from past wounds, current challenges, hurts, habits or other heavy burdens. Weekly recovery meetings meet at the church on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., and childcare is available so parents can focus on participation.
Trained leaders provide compassionate, personalized support through biblical encouragement and ongoing care. The ministry also supports people who are new to recovery and those seeking to prevent relapse, emphasizing the hope of the gospel in a safe, faith-based setting.
Parents Day Out: Weekday Preschool
Parents Day Out is a weekday preschool for children from six weeks through five years. It provides a safe, loving, Christ-centered environment intended to support children's spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth. Children are placed in developmentally appropriate classrooms. Families can choose a Monday and Wednesday track or a Tuesday and Thursday track, with classes running from 8:25 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Tuition is calculated as a 12-month annual fee divided into equal monthly payments. The full monthly amount is due regardless of how many days are attended. The preschool is a distinct ministry within Dotson Memorial's family work.
Play 2:7, Missions and a Place to Serve
Play 2:7 is an outreach and fellowship ministry built around sports, fitness and organized activities. Games and teamwork become ways to build relationships, share the gospel and teach children and families biblical values. The ministry seeks to help people grow spiritually, physically and relationally through a welcoming setting that includes both church families and the surrounding community.
The broader call to serve appears in the missions and ministry opportunities. Mission teams serve locally in Maryville, travel regionally across the United States and carry the gospel internationally. People can participate by traveling, praying for teams and communities, giving toward scholarships and missions, and sending encouragement and supplies. Giving is available online. Additional volunteer roles include technology, teaching, music, children's ministry and helping behind the scenes.
The church's gym and auditorium can be reserved for weddings, family gatherings and other special events through a private-event request form. The TUFF LifeGroup also connects serving relationships with local expressions such as care, the Jar of Blessings ministry and Mission Maryville.
What Dotson Memorial Believes
Dotson Memorial affirms the Baptist Faith & Message (2000) as a summary of its core truths. The Bible is believed to be God's inerrant Word and final authority for faith and life, while salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone through his life, death and resurrection. The church also confesses one living and true God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and believes the Holy Spirit exalts Christ, convicts people of sin, calls them to salvation and empowers believers for holy living and service.
Salvation is by grace through faith and cannot be earned. It includes regeneration, justification, sanctification and glorification. Jesus is affirmed as the eternal Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, sinless in life, crucified for sin, resurrected and reigning in glory, with a personal and visible return. Dotson Memorial believes the church is the body of Christ, expressed locally through autonomous congregations, and practices baptism by immersion as a public symbol of faith along with the Lord's Supper.
Every human life is considered sacred, with dignity affirmed regardless of age, ability or circumstance. Marriage is understood as the covenant union of one man and one woman. At death, believers enter Christ's presence and will be resurrected to eternal life, while those who reject Christ face eternal separation from God. Christian living is marked by love for God and others, personal devotion, moral integrity, generosity, service and sharing the gospel.
Pastoral and Ministry Leadership
- Jim Cummings - Senior Pastor
- Sean Wentley - Associate Pastor of Discipleship, Evangelism & Missions
- Royce Bailey - Minister of Senior Adults & Children's Ministry
- Bryan Long - Worship Pastor
- Jason Roe - Student Pastor
- Gabe Brown - Children's Pastor
These leaders serve a ministry that spans worship, discipleship, children, students, seniors, missions and the wider community, all under the church's aim of rooting people in God's Word and building them up in Christ.