Grace Baptist Church serves East Tennessee from 7171 Oak Ridge Highway in Knoxville and from a second campus in Oak Ridge. It is one church with two locations, centered on Bible-based teaching, engaging worship, and ministries that span childhood, student life, young adulthood, family, and older adulthood. Sunday worship is held at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. at the Knoxville campus and at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Ridge.
One Church, Two Locations
The Knoxville campus includes the Worship Center and the GraceKids entrance used by families. Grace's Oak Ridge campus has its own Sunday gathering at 10:30 a.m. The two locations belong to one church, and the church's vision reaches East Tennessee, North America, and the world for Jesus Christ.
Every Sunday service is designed around one idea: drawing people closer to God. The format centers Bible-based teaching, engaging worship, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Four commitments shape life at Grace
- Biblical: God's Word is regarded as entirely true and trustworthy, and Scripture is to permeate every ministry and mission.
- Missional: Every true believer is considered a missionary for Jesus, regardless of age, stage of life, or vocation.
- Intentional: Grace emphasizes evangelistic intentionality, using the image of fishing for people rather than maintaining an aquarium.
- Charitable: Members are encouraged to give their time, talent, and treasure generously and cheerfully.
Entering the Knoxville Campus for the First Time
Parking. First-time guests enter through the Beaver Ridge Road entrance from Oak Ridge Highway, located at the traffic light. A parking team directs visitors into the First Time Guest parking area and guides them to the closest space. If it is raining, the team may also bring guests an umbrella on the way to the Worship Center.
What to wear. Grace has a come as you are atmosphere. Some people dress up and others dress casually, but there are no expectations for attire. Guests are encouraged to wear whatever is comfortable.
Meeting the pastor. First-time guests are invited to meet Pastor Bobby Lewis and his wife Cindy at the pastor's kiosk after the service. There is also a free gift for first-time visitors. The Information Center in the lobby can answer questions and introduce guests to Grace Groups, missions, and volunteer opportunities.
ASL interpretation. ASL interpretation is available during the 10:30 a.m. service. The email for ASL arrangements is asl@gracebc.org.
GraceKids Builds Biblical Foundations from Birth Through Fifth Grade
GraceKids regards parents as the primary disciplers of their children and works alongside families in a safe, fun, and creative environment. Birth through fifth-grade classes use age-appropriate games, activities, crafts, Bible teaching, worship, and small groups.
Sunday classes meet at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Toddler through fifth-grade children also take part in large-group activities and worship. Wednesday classes meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with Bible lessons, worship, Scripture memorization, and activities designed to help children build friendships and learn about God.
Families enter through the GraceKids welcome desk near the Worship Center's main entrance. A team member checks each child into the GraceKids system, gives the parent and child coordinating identification tags, and provides a matching receipt for pickup. Volunteers are trained and screened with several background checks, and classrooms are routinely patrolled by security staff and volunteers.
Great Expectations supports families who are expecting a child. Grace asks parents to register when they learn a baby is coming so the church can remain connected through prayer and support during the pregnancy.
From Middle School Through Young Adulthood
Grace Students serves students in grades 6 through 12. Its aim is to equip students to build the kingdom through environments that bring people to God. Middle and high school Grace Groups meet in the Student Building at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, and a student worship service takes place there at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Events and groups create space for students to encounter Jesus without distractions.
Grace College and Young Adults encourages people ages 18 through 29 to deepen their relationship with Christ, build community, and study the Word. Its regular groups include a women-only gathering for ages 18 through 30 on Monday at 6:30 p.m., a co-ed gathering for ages 24 through 32 on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., and a co-ed gathering for ages 24 through 30 on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The Sunday group meets off campus.
Wednesday Learning and Groups Across the Church
Grace University gathers on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Its classes are committed to biblical literacy and theological understanding, helping participants read Scripture with confidence and know God more deeply.
Grace Groups are another central expression of discipleship. The church believes spiritual growth happens in relationships and that groups move people from simply attending to belonging. Each group studies a book of the Bible while providing friendship, encouragement, support, and care.
Women of the Word meets Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with the Thursday gatherings available at both the Knoxville and Oak Ridge campuses. Childcare is available with registration at Knoxville. Grace Moms also gathers monthly for women at every age and stage of motherhood, with biblical teaching, encouragement, community, and fellowship.
Grace Adults serves people age 65 and older, helping them explore God's purpose, how He changes the way they live, and how they can influence those around them. Grace Men is led by Jake Bull, while Jeff McElroy serves as Pastor of Marriage.
Worship, Arts, Sports, and Child Care
Worship through the arts has long been a priority at Grace. The church has no auditions for the choir or orchestra, and members are invited to become part of the worshiping family. The Grace Worship team includes opportunities in the choir, band, and orchestra.
Grace Performing Arts Center
The Grace Performing Arts Center provides arts instruction for students of all ages. Its goal is to honor the Lord while pursuing a high level of performance, developing artistic skills, and helping students use their gifts for the glory of God. Instruction follows the school calendar, with some private lessons available during summer.
Grace Place After School and Summer Camp
Grace Place provides after-school care for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. It is open Monday through Friday until 6:00 p.m. during the school year and follows GCA weather and illness closures. The program offers transportation from participating schools, teachers trained in first aid and CPR, two teachers in every classroom, daily devotions, homework help, and outdoor play.
Grace Place also offers a summer day camp with breakfast, snacks, weekly themes, field trips, outdoor activities, daily devotions, and weekly chapel. Children choose the weeks they attend.
Grace Youth Sports
Grace Youth Sports uses teamwork, encouragement, and foundational skills to help young athletes grow both on the field and in faith. Sports, camps, and games are intended to strengthen character, build community, and point children to the hope found in Christ. Its guiding phrase is In Jesus' Name We Play.
A Place for Every Ability
Grace Abilities is a disability ministry for people of all ages and abilities. It affirms that every person has a place of belonging, is created by God with purpose, and is essential to the body of Christ. The ministry seeks to help people grow in faith, use their gifts, worship, and belong.
Special Friends serves children and students with disabilities ages 3 through 22. Trained staff and volunteers teach through Bible lessons, art, and music in a welcoming setting. Grace Space is a sensory-friendly classroom that offers a calm environment for sixth grade and older at 9:00 a.m. and for kindergarten through fifth grade at 10:30 a.m. A trained-volunteer buddy can accompany a child in an age-appropriate classroom at either service when advance arrangements are made.
Adults of all abilities are invited to participate in Grace Groups, build friendships, attend gatherings, and grow in faith. ASL interpreters are also available for services and events so Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests can engage fully in worship and community.
Grace's Care Ministry seeks to meet people at the point of personal need through prayer and support. Teams check the care line several times each day. Grace Biblical Counseling provides a dedicated biblical counseling ministry, with Dr. Todd Hardin serving as Counseling Pastor.
Grace GO: Mission in East Tennessee and Beyond
Grace GO gives church members a common framework for sharing Christ in East Tennessee, North America, and the world, following the witness described in Acts 1:8. Grace GO Local serves through acts of compassion and conversations in the communities where members live. Grace GO International works alongside partners to share the gospel and make disciples among the nations.
Ways to serve
- The Connections Team welcomes guests through parking and greeting roles and helps connect them with the church family.
- GraceKids and Grace Students teams invest in children, elementary students, middle school students, and high school students through worship, teaching, small groups, and events.
- Grace Abilities volunteers help people of all abilities grow, connect, and worship together.
- Grace Group leaders offer opportunities for people at different ages and stages of life.
- The Safety and Security Team provides a visible, prepared presence during services and events.
- Grace Worship, choir, band, and orchestra teams lead the congregation in worship.
- The Production Team operates cameras, lights, screens, and sound for worship in the room and through online streaming.
- The Biblical Counseling Center uses peer counselors within its ministry.
Grace describes giving as vital to the everyday ministry that takes place in and through the church. Members are encouraged to give generously of their time and money toward local ministry and ministry around the world. Giving is available through online giving, and free household budgeting resources support biblical financial stewardship.
Truth, Salvation, and the Church
Grace teaches that the Holy Bible was divinely inspired and is God's revelation, without mixture of error. Scripture is described as true and trustworthy, the standard for human conduct and Christian union, and a testimony centered on Christ.
God is affirmed as one living and true God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church's teaching presents Jesus as the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus lived without sin, died on the cross, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return in power and glory. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, brings about regeneration, exalts Christ, comforts believers, and empowers the church for worship, evangelism, and service.
People are described as a special creation of God in male and female, with every race and every person possessing full dignity and worthy of Christian love. Because all people have sinned, salvation cannot be earned. It is God's free gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Repentance and faith are inseparable, and salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and final glorification.
A New Testament church is defined as an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Grace observes baptism and the Lord's Supper and understands the church as the body of Christ, accountable to the lordship of Christ. Both men and women are affirmed as gifted for service, while the office of pastor is limited to men as taught in Scripture.
Grace affirms the responsibility of every follower and church to make disciples of all nations. Its beliefs also address Christian education, generous stewardship, opposition to racism, greed, selfishness, vice, and sexual immorality, care for vulnerable people, protection of human life from conception to natural death, the family as a foundational institution, religious liberty, and separation of church and state.
Baptism and Church Membership
Grace calls baptism a celebration of new life and a public declaration of a person's decision to follow Jesus. Baptism does not save a person; it is the symbol and celebration of salvation. The church teaches immersion in water, which represents death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
A child may be baptized after making an individual decision to trust Jesus and receiving permission from a parent or guardian. The child first meets with a pastor or trained counselor. If someone has not been baptized by immersion since following Jesus, Grace helps that person take that step. Once baptism by immersion has taken place after that decision, no second baptism is needed.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act through which church members remember the death of the Redeemer and anticipate his return. Life at Grace introduces church membership, the mission and vision of Grace, the pastors, and opportunities to become involved. The church's pattern of growth is summarized as growing in a Grace Group, participating in worship, and serving with the Grace family.
Pastors and Ministry Leaders
Dr. Bobby Lewis began serving as Grace's senior pastor in January 2019. A native of North Carolina, he became a Christ-follower at age 9 and committed to full-time ministry at 22. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Carolina, an M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry, and a Ph.D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before Grace, he served at First Baptist Middleburg in Florida and Salem Baptist Church in Dobson, North Carolina.
Grace's executive pastoral team includes Barry Silver in operations and finance, Dr. Kevin Mysliwiec in discipleship, Dr. Jeremy Fortenberry in worship, and Bryan Thomas as Oak Ridge Campus Pastor. Pastoral leaders also include Grace GO Missions Pastor Nick Swarthout, Men's Pastor and GCA Campus Pastor Jake Bull, Pastor of Marriage Jeff McElroy, Dr. Matt Harrison, Pastor of Next Generations and Families Kyle Earwood, Student Pastor Andrew Wilson, Oak Ridge Associate Pastor Matthew Gooch, and Associate Worship Pastor Jeff Davis.
Ministry directors include Desiree Lowe for women, Liz Franklin for GraceKids, Julie Schall for special needs, Heather Lievsay for GPAC, Jay Brock for Grace Youth Sports, and Ross Franklin for Grace Place. Dr. Frank Catanzaro serves as Legacy and Prayer and Care Pastor, Dr. Todd Hardin as Counseling Pastor, and Mathew Wall and Andrew Smith lead worship and orchestra.
Joining Grace Online
Grace's worship is available through an online church platform, Facebook Live, and the Grace Baptist Knoxville YouTube channel. YouTube carries live broadcasts and previous messages. Apps for Roku and Apple TV also make previous broadcasts available on television, while Chromecast can carry the broadcasts from a phone, tablet, or computer.
The Grace app supports an interactive Bible reading plan. Previous messages and podcasts are also part of the church's online media ministry.
Across its Knoxville and Oak Ridge campuses, Grace Baptist Church remains a large, multigenerational church grounded in biblical instruction, expressive worship, Christian community, compassionate care, service, and mission.