Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle sits along Daisy Dallas Road in Hixson, Tennessee, on the north shore of the Chattanooga area. The church describes its purpose in a single sentence: "Building the Kingdom to the Glory of God." Across the week, that purpose plays out through a blended style of worship that weaves traditional hymns with modern songs, a deep network of age-specific discipleship groups, and steady partnerships with ministries that care for children, the homeless, the unborn, and missionaries around the world.
Sunday Worship and Family Bible Study
Sunday at Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle is shaped around three rhythms. The morning opens at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School and small groups for every age, from nursery through older adults. At 11:00 a.m., the congregation gathers for the morning worship service, led by Lead Pastor Dr. Brooks Green, Associate Pastor Rev. Al Ruefenacht, and Worship Director Crystal Rachels. The evening continues at 6:00 p.m. with Family Bible Study, a time for the whole church to open Scripture together. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and recordings remain available afterward for anyone who cannot attend in person.
From Birth to Maturity: Sunday Discipleship Groups
Sunday School at Sequoyah is built as a discipleship journey called "From Birth to Maturity: Jesus Lives." Each class carries its own focus verse and theme:
- Nursery (ages 0-2) - "This is where God keeps me safe."
- Preschool (ages 3-5) - "I know God made me; Jesus loves me."
- Beginners (K-2nd grade) - "I know Jesus now. I can follow Him."
- Juniors (3rd-5th grade) - "Jesus knows me. I can talk to Him."
- Middle School (6th-8th grade) - "My faith in Jesus is mine."
- High School (9th-12th grade) - "My faith in Jesus is something I live."
- Rooted Young Adults - "My faith in Jesus is established."
- Fruitful Families - "Jesus lives in our home."
- Truth Seekers - "Jesus is meant to be shared with all His creation."
- Cornerstone (older adults) - "Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor."
- Christian Fellowship (older adults) - "Jesus is the Prince of Peace."
- Grace Class (ladies) - "Jesus is our Saving Grace."
Nursery facilities are available during every service for infants through age two and are equipped with parent pagers so caregivers can step out without worry.
SBTeen: A Place for Students to Belong
SBTeen exists "to create a space where young people can grow in faith, build lasting friendships, and discover their purpose in God's plan." The youth ministry, directed by Taj Grant, gathers middle and high school students on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for worship, Bible study, service projects, and fellowship. The aim is to help students move from hearing about faith to living it out in their homes, schools, and beyond.
SBTKids and Branch
Children from age three through fifth grade have their own Wednesday night program called Branch, which meets at 6:30 p.m. alongside the youth group and the prayer meeting. Children's Ministry Director Elizabeth West oversees the program, where kids "explore learning new talents as part of the SBTKids Ministry." A children's ministry van also runs on Sunday and Wednesday mornings and evenings to provide rides for families who need transportation. Each summer the church hosts Vacation Bible School for the wider community, and registration opens online.
Rooted: Young Adults Finding Their Footing
The Rooted ministry exists for the years when many believers drift away from church. Its mission is "to help young adults grow deep roots in Christ, build authentic Christian community, and step confidently into lifelong discipleship and service within the church and the world." The group welcomes college students, trade school students, young professionals, and anyone else seeking Christian community.
Rooted meets Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for a discipleship group that walks through the full scope of Scripture, Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for in-depth Bible study and discussion in the main sanctuary, and during the week for fellowship, excursions, and devotionals. The verse that frames it all is Colossians 2:6-7: "as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."
College and Careers
For young adults 18 to 28, the College and Careers ministry complements Rooted with a sharper focus on apologetics and Christian worldview. Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. walks through the unified story of Scripture from the Gospels to the minor prophets, while Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. tackle prayer, apologetics, and how to read the Bible. A monthly game night and a tri-monthly Bible study on Thursday evenings give young adults added space for fellowship, food, and devotion, with the goal of helping them "have faith, and have it more boldly, but know the reason for their faith and the truth of scripture."
Adelphi Men's Ministry
Adelphi, a Greek word meaning "brothers," is the church's men's ministry. Its gatherings include food, fellowship, faith-based discussion of issues men face today, prayer, and planning for service projects together. Recent events have included an Adelphi Axe Throwing night and a Tombstone trip, and updates are regularly posted on Facebook. Van service is available to those who need a ride.
Phoebe Women's Ministry
The women's ministry, named after the New Testament deaconess Phoebe, meets on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. alongside the other discipleship classes. The group supports local causes such as Choices Pregnancy Center in Chattanooga, including taking part in its annual Life Walk and Life Banquet, and gathers for ladies' luncheons and other activities throughout the year.
Sassy Seniors and Adult Fellowship
Adults 55 and over are invited to Sassy Seniors for fellowship and outings, while the Cornerstone and Christian Fellowship classes offer ongoing Bible discussion for older adults. The classes focus on diving into Scripture together, sharing life experience, and anchoring faith for the long haul.
Worship Through Song, Instruments, and Media
The Worship Ministry, led by Worship Director Crystal Rachels, oversees four praise teams that sing a mix of hymnals and contemporary music. Musicians, vocalists, and media volunteers are invited to serve, whether playing keys or drums, running the soundboard, or guiding the congregation through visual presentations. Anchored by Psalm 150, the ministry teaches that worship is "more than performance; it is a lifestyle of surrender, humility, holiness, and devotion to God." Anyone who feels called to lift a voice or an instrument to the Lord is invited to join.
The Gospel They Preach
The church lays out its beliefs plainly on its Gospel page. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, citing Ephesians 2:8-9. Saving faith, the church teaches, requires believing three truths drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: that Jesus is God, that Jesus died for our sins, and that He rose again on the third day. Because His resurrection secures eternal life, the church invites anyone who is ready to trust in Christ to reach out, and offers to walk alongside those who want help taking that step.
Reaching Out in Hixson and Beyond
Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle sustains more than 50 missionaries worldwide through its Missions Ministry, which meets on the first of each month. The Evangelism and Outreach Ministry coordinates church-wide efforts to share the gospel locally, grounded in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.
Closer to home, the church runs a School Supply Community Closet that distributes crayons, scissors, colored pencils, markers, folders, binders, backpacks, shirts, pants, socks, jackets, shoes, and other essentials to families in need. A Van and Bus Ministry offers rides to services and activities for anyone without transportation.
The church also partners with a network of ministries that extend its reach. Bethel Bible Village, located in Hixson, provides residential care and an accredited campus school for over 200 children. The Eternal Family Project offers a loving home for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Honduras. Chattanooga Community Kitchen and Chattanooga Rescue Mission serve the hungry and homeless. Choices Pregnancy Center provides pregnancy services for women in unplanned pregnancies. Mission Aviation Fellowship, currently featured as the Ministry Partner Spotlight, flies missionaries, supplies, and humanitarian aid into remote regions around the world. Final Frontiers Ministries equips national pastors to plant churches where the gospel has never been preached. Shepherd's Arms Rescue Mission provides shelter, food, and Christian counseling. Rock of Ages Prison Ministry takes the gospel into prisons and military bases. Isaiah 117 House creates a comforting place for children awaiting foster placement.
Visiting Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle
The church is located at 8405 Daisy Dallas Road in Hixson, Tennessee. Sunday mornings begin at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School for every age, followed by worship at 11:00 a.m. and Family Bible Study at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. feature children's, youth, and adult Bible study options running side by side. Visitors are welcomed by Lead Pastor Dr. Brooks Green, Associate Pastor Rev. Al Ruefenacht, and the rest of the team. Giving is available online, services stream on YouTube, and prayer requests can be submitted online or through the church office.