Providence Church began as a dream in the heart of Knoxville native Lance Robinson while he was attending Seminary in North Carolina. Questions like, Why can't there be a church that is committed to God's word and yet communicates effectively to contemporary people? went around in his head. Providence began in February 1993 with a small group of six or eight people. After much preparation, prayer, and canvassing the community, this small group sent out invitations to hundreds in West Knoxville to consider being a part of a new kind of church. Only 54 people showed up at a local office building for the first official service on Easter Sunday of 1993. Attendance leveled off to about 30 people, about half of whom were kids! Providence Church was born. The next three years were hard, but lives were being changed. After meeting at a couple of different places, Providence settled at Cedar Bluff Middle School. Early in 1996, as a result of much prayer, the elders believed the church needed to make a faith investment in staffing. The elders decided to bring on another full-time pastor to team with Lance. This concept of team-leadership within a plurality of elders was ( and still is, to some extent ) distinctive. But it is a biblical model and practical in many ways to boot. Lance's long-time friend and 29-year-old Knoxville native, Chad Sparks, was asked to join the elders as teaching pastor. Before Providence, Chad had served as the pastor of two established churches. Joining a new church of less than 60 people may have been considered risky, but he sensed God's leadership. Chad and his wife Darla moved their family in February 1997 and lived with the Robinsons until finding a place of their own several months later. Providence grew steadily the next three years at Cedar Bluff Middle until space became an issue. Attendance had quadrupled. The gym was becoming crowded for worship, and finding places for children's ministry was particularly difficult. Our growing nursery was forced to move into the hallways! It was time to find another place for the church to meet. In 1999, a Vision Team was appointed and much work was done to consider God's will for the future. The church gathered for two vision nights over the course of a year and it was decided the time had come to make a move. The elders and other leaders searched all over West Knoxville. Leasing opportunities were investigated. Several existing structures were examined for suitability. Many pieces of property were considered, including an undeveloped 11-acre lot on the corner of Pellissippi Pkwy. and Lovell Rd. which had been for sale for years. Through some amazing circumstances, which included the offer of a local foundation to buy property for the church's use, the land was secured. A building was built and leased to Providence for $1 a year until the church was able to take on ownership. Providence moved in February 2002. A sacred assembly a first for Providence was held that same year for the following reasons: [ To ] seek God's purity, power, and passion. [ A ] cknowledge our incompetence and our sinfulness. [ P ] roclaim his sovereignty and ability. [ S ] eek God's face and ask him to be our strength and to do great things in this generation, bringing fame to his name. [ And ask God ] to prepare us, protect us, and guide us as we attempt to best accomplish the mission that he has given us.
Partial Data by Infogroup (c) 2024. All rights reserved.
Partial Data by Foursquare.