Gò0dNew s
C H R I ST- C E N T E R E D E D U C AT I O N O N YO U R T I M E .
About Us
WRITERS
Bill Silvers
Chaplain Fillip Brunner
Charles Finney
Chrissie Joy Jackson
Dorothy Teague
Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson
Garrett Nudd
Heather Harper Medley, LPC
Jamie Peak
Jan Merop
Karen Jeffery
Katharine Lee Bates
Kenneth E. Ware
Paul McGuire
Paula Burgner
SALES
Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
DESIGNERS
Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com
Caleb Prytherch art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewscm
SOCIAL MEDIA
f GoodNews CM
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
from the Editor’s
PenPoints: Do You Saunter?
by Sandra Gilmore
Welcome to our anniversary issue. We’re excited that you’ve joined us.
Tell me, are you a fellow saunterer?
Although John Muir has been credited for connecting the Appalachian Mountains with the Holy Land via the word ‘saunter,’ there’s no evidence in his writings for that specific connection. Since he often used the word and often wrote about these hills, people connected the word with the hills.
I can’t say that I blame them.
Originally, the phrase was à la Sainte Terre (“to the Holy Land”). As with many words and phrases, it was eventually pared down to ‘saunter,’ making it easier to tote along while preserving a sense of savoring the Holy Land, even though the definition no longer carries that direct reference.
These days, ‘saunter’ describes the unhurried trek of someone purposely lingering to absorb a view, take in the surroundings, and savor the experience. From a distance, it might be mislabeled ‘wandering aimlessly.’ That observation would be mistaken.
Similarly, J. R. R. Tolkien’s poem “All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter” holds the phrase often endeared by those trekking about: “Not all those who wander are lost.”
This month, we’re ‘wandering’ as Tolkien would say into the 14th year of GoodNews Christian Magazine. Traditionally, ivory marks the 14th anniversary. In recent years, gold has become the marker. And I agree that there’s “gold in them thar hills” to echo the Gold Rush storytellers. We value these 14 years since the magazine began. We are grateful for the ‘golden’ opportunity to connect our writers and our readers with stories, recipes, Bible studies, and testimonies.
I wonder if Tolkien knew of our Appalachian Mountains? We who saunter do, in fact, wander at times, and yet we’re not the least bit lost. We’re home.
Our writers could be described as those who ‘saunter’ through life and bless others with their insights. They hold dear the scenery of life’s progress between milestones. They mine for the treasured nuggets under the surface of setbacks. They ponder the times to keep trekking onward compared to the times to linger for a bit, maybe panning a while to see what stays on top and what sifts through.
Waiting doesn’t escape them, nor do the lessons it teaches. Seasons of hurry with surges of progress capture their awe the same as seasons of letting go and leaving behind the heavy and the cumbersome. They stand by the water’s edge with its rolling waves of grief, or overwhelm, or confusion, with
the same resolve as when they pause to marvel at the delicate fluttering of hope, or surrender, or whimsy.
The Lord has promised to walk with each of us through life’s journey. The 23rd Psalm describes hills and valleys. Rough terrain does not escape His Presence. And we know from verse six that “goodness and mercy shall follow” us. In Hebrew, that phrase actually means ‘to pursue intentionally.’ As we trace the trails, whether actually on foot or figuratively in our hearts, we are assured that “goodness and mercy” are faithful companions, lovingly sent from the Father, trekking beside us.
The sun has risen over and set behind the hills more than 5,100 days since that morning when GoodNews first hit the trail. The Father’s presence has been as consistent as the sun, guiding the staff, the writers, and the readers onward and upward. With East Tennessee’s foothills and Georgia’s Blue Ridge in the backdrop, we have gratefully sauntered through the joys, woes, chuckles, and wisdom of this publishing journey, knowing that not a moment has been without the presence of the Lord. That truth makes each path holy ground, indeed.
The compass for our sauntering at GoodNews comes from our publishers, Matt and Bethany Ruckman. They point the way: “Our magazine opens the door for Christians
to work together to grow and strengthen our community. GoodNews is written by men and women who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the Good News!”
The rise and fall of the publishing path gives us an opportunity each month to saunter through holy ground. From this 14th anniversary peak, the view is expansive and full of potential. With that in mind, we pause for a moment to share our gratitude for you, our readers, writers, and sponsors, and to give the Lord glory for what He’s done through this magazine.
Today, we bless your path ahead, the holy ground of your sauntering, as you learn and grow in His Presence. We are grateful you have included GoodNews Christian Magazine along your way.
From this vantage point, we can see the peak of our 15th anniversary issue in July 2027. Preparations are already under way. Our writers have graciously supplied articles under the title “Celebrating the Goodness of God.” The July 2027 issue is nearly full, and so are our hearts with anticipation for the coming year.
Until then, we invite you to keep trekking with us. We’ll meet you each month and back at the top again next July. Happy sauntering!
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SDon’t Forget Your Financial Road Map
ummer has a way of inviting us to slow down.The longer days, warmer weather, vacations and family gatherings make it the perfect season to relax and enjoy life. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a mountain getaway, or simply time spent with loved ones, summer is often when we intentionally step away from our busy routines. While this break is both needed and well-deserved, it’s important not to step away entirely from one critical area of life—your financial future.
Retirement planning doesn’t take a vacation just because you do. In fact, summer can be an ideal time to perform a quick “mid-year check-in” on your financial goals. Think of it as a tune-up rather than a full overhaul. Are you still on track with your retirement savings? Have there been any changes in your income, expenses, or long-term plans that should be accounted for? Even a brief review can provide peace of mind and prevent small issues from becoming larger problems down the road.
One often-overlooked area, especially during travel season, is ensuring that your beneficiaries are up to date. Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, and even shifts in relationships—can all affect who you want to designate as beneficiaries on your accounts. Taking a few moments to review these designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial assets can make a significant difference for your loved ones and helps avoid unnecessary complications later.
Travel also serves as a gentle reminder of the unpredictable nature of life. Before heading out of town, it’s wise to confirm that your key documents and account
information are organized and accessible if needed. Having everything in order allows you to truly relax, knowing that both your present and your future are well cared for.
If you’re looking for guidance or simply want to stay informed, in July, we’ll host luncheon seminars focused on an increasingly important topic: how to use your investable assets to help pay for long term care. Join us on July 7th at Michael’s in Athens or July 15th at our Cleveland office, where a catered lunch will accompany a valuable discussion on protecting your retirement from unexpected healthcare costs.
Later in the summer, we’ll turn our attention to a broader topic—the biggest risks in retirement. Our dinner seminar on August 18th at Rodizio in Chattanooga and August 20th at Inman Social in Cleveland will explore common challenges retirees face and strategies to address them.
You can contact our office directly to register for any of these events as an RSVP is required.
Summer is meant for making memories—but it can also be a time to reinforce the foundation that supports your future. By taking a few proactive steps now and staying engaged with your financial plan, you can enjoy the season with confidence, knowing you’re preparing for many more summers to come.
Retirement planning is the process of determining how you can meet your goals through the proper management of your financial resources.
Tax planning should not only assess your tax situation at retirement and in the present, but also look towards the future.
Social security strategies are various approaches that an individual may take to maximize their social security benefits.
There is more to Medicare than meets the eye. Making the best decision for your situation at age 65 is one of the biggest retirement decisions one may make.
Estate planning is a key element of a successful financial strategy. It ensures you will leave a legacy that provides for your loved ones by properly protecting and distributing your wealth according to your wishes. If you're ready to take the next step in your retirement planning journey, call (423) 664-4203 today to
dNews for Everyone Never Walk Alone
by Paula Burgner
Imagine yourself with one foot in front of the other as your feet are tapping the pavement, carrying yourself along. You are blocking out any other noise and only hearing the clatter of your shoes as you take each step, all the while lost in thought. Often, this describes how most of us walk when we are walking and getting groceries or walking for exercise. This is how we walk before we learn to walk with Jesus. The Bible tells us this in John 8:12 KJV: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
When you feel as though nothing ever goes right for you, don’t let that fear keep you from accepting God into your life. In Psalm 9:10 KJV, we read: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
However, when you are walking with God, you have the knowledge and understanding that you need to reach your destination. When you are running beside someone, it is called a race, but when you run toward God, that is called grace. Therefore, when you feel alone, always remember that God is always with us. Just as the Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee.”
When you give your life to God and study the Word, you will begin to hear God's voice more and you’ll want to continue to follow his Word. The Bible tells us this in John 10:27 KJV: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” When you are walking with God, you can move the mountains that are before you, but when you are walking out of God’s will you will end up nowhere.
Those times when you feel as though you are alone, just always remember that you are never truly alone. When you accept Jesus into your heart, He will always be there, laying out the path that we should take. You just have to stay rooted in his Word to know the right steps to take. The Bible tells us this in 1 Peter 2:21 KJV: “Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Just keep
walking, praying, and seeking God's Word so that others may see His love through us. The Bible tells us in 1 John 2:6 KJV: “to walk, even as He walked.”
The more you learn about the Word of God, the more you will understand. God will open your eyes to things around you. Jeremiah 33:3 KJV reads: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” God’s voice is louder and more powerful than anything in this life, and His voice will make the fears run when we speak the name of God over our situation.
At the same time, God’s voice can be as sweet as honey. All you have to do is listen for His voice when you are praying. When you accept God into your heart, you will hear Him clearer than you ever have before. The Bible tells us this in John 8:47 KJV: “He that is of God heareth God's words.” When you have those days when you don't know which way to go, ask God to help you and He will. See Psalm 32:8 KJV: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.”
Paula Burgner is a strong-willed, outgoing girl who loves spending time with her husband and working out. She believes in her heart that you can do anything you put your mind to. Paula is the author of a new book, Grounded by God’s Grace.
The Garden of God
by Chrissie Joy Jackson
Jesus often used agriculture—plants, trees, crops, etc.—to teach us about ourselves. In fact, the Bible is full of similes, painting pictures in our minds to understand the lessons.
Think about your own garden, or nature around you. The colors, the sizes, the shapes, and the weeds! God loves variety and beauty. The earth is like a big garden created and tended by God. People of all sizes, shapes, colors, and purposes. We gently encourage and nourish those around us, supporting, growing, and blooming together.
Sometimes we have to remove the “weeds” out of necessity to thrive. My garden has done better this year than ever. I have, too. As I tend the garden, I find that big blooming irises need support, much like a friend who is going through some tough health problems, yet still has a joyful spirit. The vegetable seeds are thriving because they are planted in good soil and watered well, as some new believers need lots of love and the good ground of God’s Word. I can learn and apply many things observing the ways of nature.
What can we learn from the Bible’s usage of vegetation? Psalm 1:3 NIV describes someone who delights in God like this: “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”
God sees our faithfulness and enjoys our delight in Him, making us strong and fruitful.
I have met people who bring a fragrance of His presence. As 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says, “…we spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him. We are the fragrance of Christ to God.” Like a gardenia filling the atmosphere with an attraction to be near it. To Christians, we are the aroma of life leading to life.
John 15:5 says we are the branches, Jesus is the vine. To bear spiritual fruit, we must remain in Him. We can’t do anything without Him.
God tends His garden and will deal with the weeds. As Jesus explained: “The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the “evil one” (Matthew 13:38). So the wicked (in this context, it was Pharisees), Jesus says, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots” (Matthew 15:13 NIV).
Jesus used a fig tree in Mark 11 to teach us the power of faith; seeds sown in Matthew 13 to show us heart conditions when hearing God’s Word; and in Matthew 6, He uses lilies to remind us how well He takes care of us.
Just as plants have a variety of purposes, each person in life has a destiny too. Some are for healing, some are for fragrance, while others bring spice and fun. Some are beautiful, and others fragile, teaching us mercy.
• 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 emphasizes teamwork.
• Matthew 13:31-32 faith as small as a mustard seed.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 encourages us to be generous.
Look around you and see if you can see what God is telling you through His creation. It would be fun and interesting also to do a Bible search for all the places that use trees and plants as relating to us humans.
Let’s bloom and grow, water, nourish, and thrive together!
Chrissie Joy Jackson is a retired widow and a member of Living Word Church. Sharing the love and care of the Father through missions is her passion.
for Men Are You a Liar?
by Charles Finney
Beloved, today I have a question for you—a question that cuts to the heart of who we are before God and before man: Are you a liar? Have lies so taken root in your life that you cannot discern the truth? This is not an easy question to ask, nor is it easy to answer. Yet the Word of God compels us to confront this matter, for “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 KJV*).
Lying to God
The first and gravest lie is the lie to God. In Acts 5, we read of Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a piece of land but kept back part of the price while pretending to give all to the Lord. Peter said to Ananias, “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:3-4). The result of their deceit was swift judgment: both Ananias and Sapphira fell and died.
How often do we act like Ananias and Sapphira? Perhaps not in so dramatic a fashion, but in small ways, we deceive God. We offer Him empty words of praise while our hearts are far from Him. We claim to surrender all, yet we cling to sin, refusing to let go of that which displeases Him. God is not mocked, beloved. He sees all and knows all. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
If you are lying to God today, repent! Confess your deceit and ask
Him to create in you a clean heart. God is ready to forgive.
Lying to Yourself
Equally dangerous is the lie we tell ourselves. Proverbs 14:12 warns us, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Many walk through life deceiving themselves, convincing themselves that their sin is not so bad, or that there is plenty of time to make things right. But self-deception is a trap that leads to destruction.
Consider James 1:22-24: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Are you deceiving yourself today by hearing the Word but failing to obey it?
Take an honest look in the mirror of God's Word. It may be painful, but it is necessary. For “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Lying to Family and Friends
Lies to others often begin as small, seemingly harmless falsehoods. A little exaggeration here, a hidden truth there. But these lies grow, and before long, they can destroy relationships. Colossians
3:9 commands us, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), building one another up, not tearing down with deceit.
Lying grieves the Spirit of God. When we deceive others, we dishonor the One who is the Truth. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). How, then, can we claim to follow Him if our lives are marked by falsehood?
If you have lied to your loved ones, seek forgiveness. Make amends where possible. And commit yourself to living a life of integrity.
Lying to Everyone
When lying becomes a habit, it spreads like leaven, infecting every area of life. The liar begins to live in a web of deceit. Yet the Bible warns, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape” (Proverbs 19:5). The ultimate end of liars is even more sobering: “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone”(Revelation 21:8).
Beloved, is your life so full of lies that you no longer know the truth? If so, you are not beyond hope. The truth is found in Jesus Christ. He said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Come to Him in humility and faith. He will break the chains of deceit and fill your heart with His truth.
Conclusion
As we reflect on this sobering question—Are you a liar?—let us examine ourselves in the light of God's Word. Have you lied to God? To yourself? To family and friends? To everyone? If so, do not despair, for there is hope in Christ. He is the Truth, and He calls you to walk in truth. Repent of your lies. Confess them to God and to those you have wronged. Seek His grace to live a life of honesty and integrity. For “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”(Matthew 5:8). Let us strive to be among them. Amen. *All Scriptures are KJV.
Charles Finney—minister of inspirational Good News, retired various positions and industries, management and operational, freelance writer, author of “Grandpa-Good News From The Good Feel Cornfield.” Writings are a remembrance of family, farm life and church upbringing to be a blessing to all!
for Everyone
Acceptance
by Karen Jeffery
Our model of acceptance is Jesus, who, though we were still sinners, died for us. On earth, He reached out to tax collectors, lepers, beggars, and many others the world deemed unacceptable. As Christians, we are also called to do the same, accepting the poor, homeless, handicapped, elderly, prisoners, and addicts into the life-changing body of Christ.
It’s great to have wonderful, beloved believers as friends. Can God really accept you, even after all you’ve done? Sure He will! That’s a simple thing. All you must do is ask Jesus to forgive you from all your sins, and He is just to forgive you. 1 John 1:9 KJV says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse is one we have heard many times in our lives: John 3:16 KJV. It says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9 KJV says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
How dependent are you upon God? Stop and really think about it for a moment. As Christians, we like to think that we rely fully on Him, and on Sunday mornings we might even—with all sincerity—sing hymns and songs that express our dependence on Him.
What is your first reaction when a problem arises? Do you worry and fret, find your own solution, or go from friend to friend seeking advice? Are you fearful about the future or quick to complain about your circumstances? While fear is a natural response and there’s nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel, when we do these things to the exclusion of pursuing God first (Matthew 6:33), it’s usually an indicator that we’re struggling to trust the Lord. Thankfully, we can grow in dependence on Him, but the path that leads there may be surprising. We arrive where God wants us to be, not by trying harder, but by learning to know the Lord more fully through His Word.
Lamentations 3:22–23 NASB, one of my favorite passages, says, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never
cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” It might have seemed to them as if the Lord had abandoned them, but Peter assured them this was not the case and told those who were suffering to what is right” (1 Peter 4:19 ESV).
the experience of difficulty and suffering. We can be quite self-sufficient until a trial hits. Then we turn to the only one who can help—Almighty God. Although we might not understand what He is doing, when we look back, we’ll be able to see how He guided us through and strengthened us to endure.
As stated before, 1 John 1:9 KJV says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to This promise regarding restoration of fellowship with God is for every believer. It is
deserved or earned. It was a gift of God’s grace through faith. He not only fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy predicting the coming of the Savior, but also, in the New Testament, explained exactly how to be saved. Then He made sure that you heard the Gospel and gave you this promise: (Acts 16:31 NIV).
Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, now you are secure as a child of God, and He will never leave you.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began You weren’t saved by good works, and you can’t maintain your salvation by them, either. The one who keeps you is the Lord God, and He promises you will one day stand before Him in heaven, blameless and fully conformed to the image of His Son. Every believer has
Almighty God. If He isn’t faithful, the entire Christian life is
But God is faithful. He holds our lives in His hands and gives us the strength to endure difficult circumstances with
I just love the Word of God for the wisdom we receive loves the Lord, her family, and her friends. She truly trusts in Him for all good things from above.
for Everyone Disability and Divine Calling in the Church
by Filip Brunner
This may be a bit on the controversial side of things. Partly because disability is such a broad, multifaceted subject. The Biblical text may seem a bit confusing. Let’s take the second issue and clarify it.
In the case of the Levitical priesthood, God had specific laws governing the ministry in the tent of meeting and later on in the temple of God at Jerusalem.
One such law governed the Levites’ ministry in the Holy Place. In it were three articles of consecrated furniture.
The altar of incense symbolically sends our prayers in smoke up to God. This was oriented straight ahead in front of the curtain, or veil, that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy place. Anyone can offer up prayers to God.
The second piece of furniture was the seven-branched candlestick which was placed up against the left wall of the Holy Place and represented the light of God. Anyone can bask in the magnificent light of God. Anyone can worship at the feet of Jesus.
But then there was the table which had the Bread of the Presence on it. This was symbolic of the Word of God and stood opposite the candlesticks. The Bread of the Presence is special. Not everyone is able to disseminate the Bread (The Word of God) but everyone was able to eat of it. See Leviticus 21:17-23.
This prohibition carries over into the New Testament times and the pastoral epistles and to the ordination of pastors, elders, overseers, and deacons. Not just anyone could hold those offices. The idea here does not limit people with disability from serving in those offices, but in Old Testament times, physical defects which limited ministerial opportunity, and symbolized defects in character and lack of spiritual maturity did limit and exclude persons from holding the heretofore mentioned offices.
Disability brings with itself certain limitations on how a person with disability is able to minister, and even some of those limits can be overcome with training, technology,
and modifications to the environment. No one, regardless of their ability, should ever be excluded from worship, basking in the light of Jesus or from offering up prayers to the thrice Holy God. This may very well be the upper limit of what someone with a physical and/or cognitive disability is able to do, worship God, their way.
The rest, as far as I am concerned, should be common sense. The blind man cannot run the PowerPoint or Song Show Plus: or can he? Perhaps not, but consider his calling. God does the ministerial equipping, church leadership will just have to be creative in how we approach persons with disability when they are called by God to minister in our Church.
Let’s not kid ourselves, toddlers and little children are horrible at singing and yet we break into thunderous applause when they do. Why not applaud the autistic man or woman or child who wants to bless Jesus with his/her voice? Let us find ways to incorporate “the little children” and forbid them not from serving in ministry.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (First Corinthians 1:26 KJV).
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
The Blood of Jesus Traced Through the Bible: Old Testament Books
by Kenneth E. Ware, MDiv
Old Testament
The Law (Legal)
Genesis – In the protoevangelium, the blood of Jesus is seen in the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15).
The blood of Jesus is seen in the animal sacrifice for Adam & Eve (Gen. 3:21).
The blood of Jesus is seen in the ram sacrificed by Abraham (Gen. 22:13).
Exodus – The blood of Jesus is seen in the Passover Lamb sprinkled over the door posts with a hyssop branch (Exo. 12:22).
Leviticus – The blood is seen in the Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, & Guilt Offerings (Leviticus 1-11).
Numbers – The blood is seen in the Red Heifer slaughtered outside the camp (Num. 19).
Deuteronomy – The blood of Jesus is seen in the sacrifices poured out on the altar of the LORD (Deut. 12:27).
History (Historical)
Joshua – The blood is seen in Rahab’s Scarlet Cord of Redemption (Joshua 2:15-21).
Judges – The blood of Jesus is seen in Manoah’s offering on the rock to the LORD (Judges 13:19-20).
Ruth – The blood on Ruth’s newborn son, the Redeemer of Israel & Restorer of Life (Ruth 4:13-15).
1 & 2 Samuel – The blood of Jesus is seen in the peace offerings of David (2 Sam. 24:25).
1 & 2 Kings – The blood of Jesus is seen in each of Solomon’s sacrifices; 22k oxen & 120k sheep, blood all over the place (1Kings 8:63).
1 & 2 Chronicles – The priest slaughtered the lamb & sprinkled the blood on the altar as a prototype of Jesus, the Lamb of God (2 Chr. 29:22).
Ezra - The blood of Jesus is seen in Jeshua’s altar of burnt offerings to the LORD (Ezra 3:2-3).
Nehemiah – The blood remains on the altar of the LORD (Neh. 10:34).
Esther – The blood of Jesus is seen in the salvation & providence of God (Throughout the book of Esther).
Poetry (Poetical)
Job – The blood of Jesus is seen in the morning sacrifices of Job (Job 1:5).
Psalms – The blood is seen in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (Psa. 22).
Proverbs – The blood is seen in the Son of God who ascended & descended to and from heaven (Pro. 30:4).
Ecclesiastes – The blood is seen in the righteous man who offered a sacrifice (Eccl. 9:2).
Song of Solomon – The blood is seen in a loving Good Shepherd who loves his bride (Song of Solomon).
Major Prophets (Prophetical)
Isaiah – The blood is seen in the Suffering Servant (Isa. 53).
Jeremiah – The blood is seen in the Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5).
Lamentations – The blood of Jesus, the Righteous, was shed for sins (Lam. 4:13).
Ezekiel – The blood is seen in the weekly, monthly, & daily sacrifices during the Millennial Kingdom (Ezekiel 46).
Daniel – The blood is seen in the Messiah that was cut off (Dan. 9:26).
Minor Prophets (Prophetical)
Hosea – The blood is seen in Hosea, a type of Christ, who loved & redeemed Gomer, a rebellious bride (a type of Israel) (Hosea 13:4).
Joel – The blood of Christ set Judah free from shedding innocent blood (Joel 3:21).
Amos – The blood is seen in Christ the restorer of Israel (Amos 9:15).
Obadiah – The blood is seen in Christ as the Judge over Israel’s enemies (Obad. 1:15-16) and the Savior of His chosen nation (Obad. 1:17-20).
Jonah – On the ship to Tarshish, the blood is seen in the sacrifice to the LORD (Jonah 1:16).
Micah – The blood is foretold in the birth of Christ in the town of Bethlehem, a Ruler in Israel who’s going forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity (Micah 5:2).
Nahum – The blood is seen in the LORD who is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble (Nah. 1:7). The blood is seen in the second coming of Christ who takes vengeance on His adversaries (Nah. 1:2).
Habakkuk – The blood is seen in the saving ministry of Jesus Christ, the God of my salvation (Hab. 3:18).
Zephaniah – The blood of Jesus is in the sacrifice that was prepared by the LORD (Zeph. 1:7).
Haggai – The blood is seen in the signet ring, through the royal line of David (Hag. 2:23).
Zechariah – The blood of Jesus is seen in the One whom they pierced; a fountain opened for the house of David (Zech. 12:10; 13:1). We see the blood of the covenant that set prisoners free from the waterless pit (Zech. 9:11).
Malachi – The blood of Jesus is seen in the offerings of Judah that was pleasing to the LORD (Mal. 3:4).
Discover your future at Dalton State, where opportunity awaits.
Dalton State College is one of the country’s most a ordable 4-year institutions and prepares you with the skills and knowledge to work in a global economy. With a commitment to academic excellence, our programs in Dalton and Ellijay and online provide you with resume-building experiences for career success. Learn more at DaltonState.edu
Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. a graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary, is Pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He’s also a Christian Writer and an Expository Bible Teacher at Samford University Ministry Training Institute (MTI). He and his wife, Tonia, have been married 29 years.
Revolve Pickleball: Revolve Around the Game, Not the Weather
The unmistakable pop of pickleball paddles echoes across the courts at Revolve Pickleball, where players of all ages gather to enjoy one of America’s fastest-growing sports. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, the indoor facility has quickly become a hub for competition, fitness, and community, offering players a comfortable place to play regardless of the weather outside.
With 13 cushioned indoor courts, Revolve Pickleball provides year-round access to the game in a climate-controlled environment designed with players in mind. From beginners learning the basics to seasoned competitors sharpening their skills, the facility welcomes everyone with an atmosphere that is both energetic and inviting.
Built from a Passion for the Game
The story behind Revolve Pickleball began with a simple problem. After spending more than a year searching for indoor pickleball options in the Cleveland area, the founders realized there was a growing need for a dedicated facility where players could enjoy the sport without worrying about rain, heat, or cold temperatures.
What started as a vision soon became a reality. Revolve Pickleball was created to bring people together through fitness, fun, and friendly competition. Today, the facility has become more than just a place to play—it has become a community gathering space where friendships are formed and players encourage one another both on and off the court.
Founders/brothers Robby and Davy Campano describe the process from the beginning, “We discovered this particular building in Cleveland, Tennessee. It was perfect for what we wanted. We immediately fell in love with the features and potential of it. We started dreaming up the possibilities to transform this gigantic warehouse into a year-round pickleball facility where rain and cold weather can't keep us devoted players from doing what we love!"
Founder Davy Campano continues, “Our pickleball journey began in January 2020 when Robby sent a text message to a YouTube video. That message sparked what would become our shared obsession with pickleball. We fell in love with the game at local outdoor courts, playing with an incredible community of players. But when summer heat and winter cold forced courts to empty, we knew there had to be a better way.
“What started as a dream of building a single indoor court grew into something much bigger. We purchased this Cleveland warehouse in November 2022 and spent sixteen months transforming it into a world-class facility. After countless hours of research, travel to other clubs, sleepless nights, and meticulous planning, we opened our doors in March 2024 — just as pickleball was taking over the world.
“We built Revolve for the community that made us fall in love with this game. A place where players can enjoy year-round pickleball on proper courts, regardless of the weather.”
Comfort Meets Competition
One of Revolve Pickleball’s standout features is its cushioned courts, designed to provide added comfort and reduce strain during long matches. Players can enjoy the fast-paced excitement of pickleball while benefiting from a surface that supports movement and endurance.
The indoor setting also allows tournaments, leagues, clinics, and open play to continue throughout every season. Whether players are escaping summer heat or avoiding chilly winter weather, Revolve offers dependable court time all year long.
The facility’s lively environment reflects the sport itself—competitive enough to challenge athletes while remaining welcoming to newcomers. Spectators often line the courts cheering for friends and family, adding to the excitement that fills the building each day.
Summer Open Tournament Set for July
Revolve Pickleball is preparing to host its Summer Open 2026 Tournament July 17–19, bringing together players from across the region for a weekend of spirited competition and community connection.
The tournament is expected to feature multiple divisions for varying skill levels, giving participants the opportunity to test their abilities while enjoying the camaraderie that makes pickleball unique. From intense rallies to lighthearted laughter between matches, the event promises to showcase the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the growing sport.
For many players, tournaments like the Summer Open are about more than winning medals. They are opportunities to meet new friends, improve skills, and share a love for the game with others who are equally passionate.
A Sport for Every Generation
Part of pickleball’s appeal lies in its accessibility. The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, creating a sport that is easy to learn but challenging to master. At Revolve Pickleball, it is not unusual to see teenagers competing alongside retirees, families playing together, or first-time visitors stepping onto the court with experienced players eager to help.
That multigenerational atmosphere has helped fuel the sport’s explosive growth nationwide and has contributed to Revolve’s success in Cleveland. Players come not only for exercise and competition, but also for the sense of belonging they find inside the facility.
More Than a Game
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, Revolve Pickleball is helping shape the sport’s future in Southeast Tennessee. By creating a space focused on comfort, connection, and community, the facility has become a destination for players who want to stay active while building lasting relationships.
Founder Robby Campano shares, “We love the outdoor courts in our area, the local rec centers, and especially
all the amazing individuals we continue to meet on and off the court who have fallen in love with pickleball. Our goal is to provide opportunities for players who want to learn and get better to have the time and space they need to improve. We offer clinics and private lessons for individuals who want to take their game to the next level.”
For Cleveland-area residents looking to pick up a paddle for the first time—or longtime players searching for a reliable place to compete—Revolve Pickleball offers a welcoming environment where the game never has to stop.
The courts are ready, the paddles are swinging, and the excitement surrounding pickleball in Cleveland shows no signs of slowing down.
dNews for your Taste Buds Independence Day in the Mountains:
Firecracker Cornbread Salad
In the Smoky Mountains, the Fourth of July is more than fireworks and flags—it’s a time when front porches overflow with laughter, picnic tables groan under the weight of home-cooked dishes, and the scent of smoky barbecue drifts through the hollers like a hymn. It’s a day when families gather, friends drop by, and strangers become neighbors over a shared plate of food.
This dish won’t make it to the leftovers—it will disappear as soon as it hits the table. Layered like a trifle but made with humble Appalachian ingredients, cornbread salad is tangy, hearty, cool, and colorful—perfect for a hot July day.
It’s rumored that the name “Firecracker Cornbread Salad” came from those who used to say the flavors "popped in your mouth like fireworks." Between the savory cornbread, the crunch of fresh vegetables, the creaminess of the dressing, and the sharp bite of bacon and cheese—it’s a celebration in a bowl.
This dish is best made ahead, giving the flavors time to mingle. Served cold, it’s as much a relief as a treat when the summer heat sets in. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, church picnic, or backyard cookout, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
For the cornbread:
Ingredients:
• 1 (8-inch) pan of cornbread, cooled and crumbled (boxed mix or homemade)
• Optional: bake your cornbread with a diced jalapeño for extra “spark”
For the salad layers:
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a clear trifle bowl or large glass dish, begin layering:
• Half of the crumbled cornbread
• Half of the beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and cheese
• Spoon and spread half of the dressing
• Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients
• Top with crumbled bacon
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, ideally overnight.
America the Beautiful
OLyrics: Katharine Lee Bates, Music: Samuel A. Ward (“Materna”) Public Domain
America the Beautiful
beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties
Lyrics: Katharine Lee Bates, Music: Samuel A. Ward (“Materna”) Public Domain
OAbove the fruited plain!
America! America!
beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain! America! America!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress
O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom be Across the wilderness!
America! America!
A thoroughfare for freedom be Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And ev’ry gain divine!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America!
May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And ev’ry gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Undimmed by human tears! America! America!
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Gò0 dNews Business Spotlight
Mud, Mutts, and Missions:
How Muddy Mutts Is Helping Pet Owners—and Supporting Missions—One Dog at a Time
For dog owners, bath time can often mean a sore back, a clogged drain, and enough wet dog hair to last for weeks. Now, thanks to a unique business in Cleveland, Tennessee, pet owners have a convenient new solution that keeps the mess out of their homes and makes bath time easier than ever.
Located at 947 Paul Huff Parkway, just off Interstate 75 beside Waffle House and behind the Shell station, Muddy Mutts has officially opened its doors, offering a self-service dog washing experience unlike anything else in the area.
The concept is simple: bring in a dirty dog and leave with a clean one, sparing your back, the mess and your pocket book. It's inexpensive at only $10.00 for 12 minutes or $12 for 15 minutes!
Customers place their pets into one of the three specially designed wash stations where everything they need is built directly into the system. Soap, conditioner and warm water are conveniently dispensed through the sprayer handle. Most dogs can be washed, rinsed, and dried in just 10 to 15 minutes.
Best of all, no appointments are necessary.
"It's completely self-service," said owner Mike Lyon. "You don't have to schedule anything. Just come in whenever it's convenient. We accept cards and cash, and we've got three different wash stations available."
From Colorado Inspiration to Cleveland Innovation
The idea for Muddy Mutts didn't originate in Tennessee. Instead, it began with a visit from Lyon's brother.
"My brother came to visit me and told me about a place in Colorado where he washed his dog," Lyon explained. "He described this little self-service dog wash, and the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like something Cleveland could really use."
For Lyon and his wife, the business serves a purpose that extends far beyond clean pets. After serving in ministry since 1981, the couple retired from full-time pastoral work in order to do more missions ministries. They still travel internationally and became chaplains with the Billy Graham Association, responding to natural and man-made disasters.
"Our missions work is self-supported, and we wanted a way to generate additional income that would help us continue serving."
What started as a practical business idea quickly became an opportunity to support a greater purpose.
"We're helping clean up Cleveland one dog at a time," Lyon said with a smile, "while helping support missions at the same time."
Easier on Your Home—and Your Back
Anyone who has ever attempted to wash a dog at home understands the challenge.
Whether it's lifting a squirming puppy into a kitchen sink or bending over a bathtub to wrestle with a muddy Labrador, the process can quickly become exhausting and back breaking.
Muddy Mutts eliminates those frustrations by providing elevated tubs designed to make washing comfortable for both pets and their owners. The warm water and built-in dryers help make the experience quick and stress-free.
The facility accommodates dogs of virtually every size, from tiny lap dogs to giant breeds.
"We've had Great Danes, Mastiffs, and little bitty dogs," Lyon said. "The system handles them all. It's easy on your back and easy on your pocketbook."
A Community-Friendly Service
Open every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Muddy Mutts provides a practical service for pet owners while reflecting the heart of its owners' commitment to serving others. Everything is provided, shampoo, flea and tick shampoo, conditioner, blow dryer, and even a towel.
For Cleveland pet owners looking to skip the mess and simplify bath day, Muddy Mutts may be exactly what they've been waiting for—a place where clean dogs, happy owners, and a mission-minded purpose all come together.
for Health & Fitness
Finding Steadiness: A Gentle Guide to Nervous System Regulation
by Heather Harper Medley, LPC
There are times when life feels too heavy, when everything inside you wants to pull away from the world. This feeling is not a sign of failure. It is your nervous system trying to protect you. When life feels overwhelming, your body may enter a state called dorsal vagal shutdown. This can feel like numbness, exhaustion, or disconnection. It is not brokenness. It is your body’s way of saying, “This is too much, I need to feel safe.”
Scripture speaks tenderly into these moments: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV). Notice it does not say we need to fix ourselves first. God meets us right where we are, especially in the spaces where we feel overwhelmed and disconnected.
Here are gentle practices that may help when your nervous system feels stuck:
1. Notice What You Feel
Instead of pushing feelings away, name them softly: “I feel overwhelmed” or “I feel distant.” Naming helps create space for compassion.
2. Move with Kindness
Small, gentle movements can help. Stretch your arms, rock slightly, or press your feet into the floor. This is not about fixing yourself. It is about reminding your body that you are here.
3. Ground Yourself in the Present
Look around and notice five things you see, four you feel, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste. This helps bring your attention back to the present moment.
4. Reach for Connection
Connection helps regulate the nervous system. This could be sitting quietly next to someone, texting a friend, or holding a comforting object. Remind your body that you are not alone in this.
5. Breathe with Intention
Breathe in slowly for four counts, hold for four, then breathe out for six. Let your breath be a gentle prayer. You do not have to force yourself to feel better. There is no timeline for healing. Peace and safety come in small ways. A deep breath, a kind word, a moment of warmth can help restore what feels stuck. Even when you feel far from steady, you are held by a God whose love never wavers. Resting in unconditional love can be very healing to the nervous system.
Closing Thoughts: Verses to Encourage You
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Heather Medley is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and published author. She loves neuroscience research papers, bargain shopping, and laughter. She resides in Rome with her delightful kiddos and steady husband.
Gò0 dNews for Life Freedom
by Paul McGuire
Ihear the Lord say, “Hearts set toward freedom must pass through truth, and there they will encounter Me, because I am truth. I can work with ones of such a mind. Their heart’s in the right place. They need Me, but they must encounter and be directed by those who do know Me, otherwise, it’s just another struggle in life. My light by truth brings in life, as they seek it.”
John 8:31-32 The Voice “…If you hear my voice and abide in my words, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.”
These are wonderful words with promise and hope. These words grow from the Father by His love for man. They are, however, set for fulfillment inside God’s fold for His sheep. We could call the gate to the fold “If.” There is not a limit on the promises; this “if” is a prerogative. Elsewhere, Jesus speaks of the “straight gate,” a narrow, perhaps, tight and difficult gate (Matthew 7:14).
Father showed me this perspective: “Love is not love which has no boundaries.”
We seek freedom, and rightly so, for it is the gift of God to man. But, as with love, freedom, too, must have definition. To say this may seem counterintuitive, but freedom is “from” something and “to” something. Scripture expresses it as coming from darkness to light.
Freedom grows in the light of Truth.
Jesus’ words in John 8 are often referenced only in part, but there is a progression there. I’ve come to express it like this: Belief to knowledge to truth to freedom, and I add, to power to victory.
First, we must believe, express faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
The promise is certain; the conditions are clearly set; the boundary lines are laid. I think we could say that truth is available inside God’s fold, the shepherd’s fold for man. The offering to us for entry into this fold and access to truth is clearly defined by His love, but we must enter by the Gate. Jesus is that Gate. We are welcome to come in by that Gate.
We simply must accept His terms, honor His boundaries, and then walk through the Gate, closing it behind us. We will there gain access to genuine truth and gain freedom, safely inside the shepherd’s fold. Too we will experience God’s great love, safely inside the fold.
The significance of our words, especially in agreement with our Father’s Words, is warred against by Satan, and has been downplayed by the Church for a long time. But our victories start there! Our God-given freedom is in our words first, whereby we establish Kingdom rule over our spiritual enemy, which will then manifest in the natural. Only free people can speak as they will. Those with no voice exist in slavery.
We have “voice” before our Heavenly Father. We must speak His Words, inviting His Kingdom into the earth, into our lives. This is as Jesus instructed in His model prayer for us. We do this by the freedom He gives us. And with His Kingdom here, His power is released to bring victory over our enemy, Satan.
“Let Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
“Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17 KJV). Therein is the true freedom we seek!
Paul McGuire has been born again for over 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of over 50 years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Dark (Room) to Light
by Garrett Nudd
As a journalism and communications major in college, I was required to take a photography class. I borrowed a Minolta camera from a generous friend and gave it a try. In a matter of hours, I fell in love with creating images, and even more, conceptualizing the images before I actually pressed the shutter. Then I’d go into the dark room and process the film. It was magical—using the enlarger and submerging the paper through the different steps—developer, stop bath, fixer, and other chemicals to make the image come to life.
The dark room itself had an odd allure. Dramatically low lights, tinted red, put out just enough light to find your way around the room. Together, the chemicals created a smell so strange it’s hard to describe, but twenty-five years later, I’d recognize it anywhere. And dark rooms always had the moodiest music playing. I’ve heard that some college students found the atmosphere romantic, but I found it eerily ominous, like the laboratory of a mad scientist. I loved the process.
The biggest payoff, however, was walking out of the dark room and hanging my photographs to dry, then taking the print in my hands a few minutes later, holding it against the light, and looking at it from all angles to make sure it passed my inspection. I was tough on myself. If something was too light or too dark, or if it had a dust spot, I always reprinted it. And then the entire process repeated.
Today’s digital photography has so many advantages, and the images we can create are exceptional, but there was a magic and authenticity about the dark room missing from photography today.
Each week when I turned in my photography assignments, my goal was to win the anonymous vote among my classmates. And if I didn’t win the vote, I wanted my photographs to at least be selected for the gallery showcase in the hallway where hundreds of my fellow students passed each day. That experience fed my creative spirit and competitive nature, and I was hooked.
Not long after college, I was stuck with the notion that I should put myself out there for hire and see what happens. I was working in marketing and communications at Southern Adventist University just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I had the opportunity to do a little bit of photography for my job. I absolutely loved it, and I just couldn’t shake the notion to give professional photography a try. I’ve come to understand anytime you can’t shake a notion that’s a major MORE THAN.
Over the next three years, I worked and hustled nearly every night on my budding photography business. It was a rollercoaster of emotions as I expanded my marketing efforts and hoped for what someday could be. I was beginning to get a taste of what the future could look like if I continued my efforts toward MORE THAN.
The psalmist wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). I saw that promise as an invitation for MORE THAN and I claimed that promise regularly. I didn’t know what I’d do if God made good on His promise, but I thought it sure would be fun to find out.
Are you ready to find out about your MORE THAN? He is inviting you too!
book,
for Athletes
Running by the Book
by Bill Silvers
Does God really care about the details of our lives? Is He interested in what we’re interested in, our hobbies, or vocations? My answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Trusting: It’s Never Too Late
At the age of 81, the Lord called me to run. Yes, called. I consider it a special assignment from Him, for Him, to bring glory to Him.
How am I so sure of this? I’ll be honest: I don’t even like to walk.
It didn’t make much sense then, and some days it still doesn’t. I’ve learned that when God calls, the best response isn’t understanding but obedience.
What started with 5K races has turned into something far greater than I ever imagined. In June 2025, I competed in my first USA Track and Field Masters Championship. I finished fourth in the nation in the 400 meter and fifth in the 200 meter. I was also blessed to run with an amazing team in the relays, where we brought home the gold in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m.
Later at the Kentucky Senior Games, I competed against athletes from 13 states and placed first in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, and 200m. I even won the 50m by just 0.02 seconds!
Obedience: It Takes You Places
Training for those moments didn’t happen overnight. I committed six days a week to preparation, spending hours at the gym, working on the basketball court, and walking through the North Georgia mountains. Those mountain walks became more than exercise; they became encounters with God.
Somewhere along those quiet paths, my prayer life changed. I had always done most of the talking. But when you spend hours alone with God, surrounded by His creation, you begin to listen. And in that listening, I found strength, not just for running, but for life.
Running, for me, is no longer just physical. It’s spiritual.
Running reflects the Scriptural call to aim for more than just earthly achievements. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” That Scripture reshaped how I see every race. I’m not just chasing a finish line. I’m pursuing something eternal. This passage reminds me that while running, I
am not just training my body but also cultivating spiritual virtues like self-control and determination, aiming for an imperishable reward in heaven. Each step becomes a reflection of my commitment to live according to God’s will, striving for the incorruptible.
And when the races get hard, and they do, I hold on to the promise of Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.” I’ve felt that renewal. I’ve lived it. There have been moments when my body said stop, but God said keep going.
Running has become a ministry for me—a way to encourage others and share God’s goodness. This Scripture beautifully captures the essence of why I run: to foster a disciplined life that mirrors the steadfastness of Christ, constantly looking to Him as the ultimate guide and motivator.
The vitality and endurance found in Isaiah 40:31 NIV inspire my running journey: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This promise of divine empowerment sustains me, even through fatigue and challenges. Running becomes a celebration of the strength of spiritual truths, reinforcing my
resolve to run my earthly race with the energy, courage, and joy that comes from my faith in Christ.
Mission: Possible (Only With Him)
July is my birthday month. This July, I turned 88 years old. That means I’ve been running for seven years now with medals to mark the progress.
People sometimes look at what I’ve accomplished and focus on the medals. But the real victory isn’t in what I’ve won. It’s in what I’ve learned:
• It’s never too late to start something new.
• Obedience can lead you places you never planned to go.
• What feels impossible in your own strength becomes possible when you trust God.
James 1:12 NIV reminds us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” That promise keeps me moving forward, both on the track and in life.
At 88, I’m still running. Not because I have to, but because I’m called to. And He leads me by the Book.
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
dNews for Seniors When God Has Other Plans
by Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson
Igrew up in Trion, GA, a textile mill town in a Christian family. My maternal grandmother thought God sent me to her and greatly influenced my life. She had not healed from losing a child who was only three months old.
My family took care of themselves and others. That was nearly 90 years ago. My dad was a quiet man. He instilled in me, “Pretty is as pretty does.” It gave me confidence since I was teased and called “four eyes.” That made me focus on my attitude and academics.
Today, I am 89, love music, and I am a Georgia Bulldog and an Atlanta Braves fan.
By the time I was 31 years of age, I earned a PhD from The Ohio State University, had a successful teaching career at the University of Georgia, and had become a pianist and organist at our church out of necessity. After 50 years of marriage, I became a widow. Taking care of myself and taking care of others as much as I can is a theme of my days in this season of life and my neighbors are important to me.
I taught school from 8th grade through graduate school as God opened doors for me to go back to school and then to teach routinely until I finished my PhD at The Ohio State University. I retired early from the University of Georgia.
I recall in fifth grade, thanks to our music teacher and two classroom teachers, we performed the Minuet and a Scottish dance in authentic costumes prepared by anyone who could sew in the community. We went to the state competition at Georgia State College for Women and we took first place! This was the college that I was going to because they had a strong two year program with a certificate.
I remember a time when our high school graduation was just a few days away for the Class of ‘54. We were a very close knit class and we had ambivalent feelings. The Korean War was going on and four classmates were leaving within two days to join the Armed Forces. Others would join later. Praise God: they all returned home safely.
My plans were settled. In the ‘50s, the job opportunities for women were limited to secretary, teacher, employment at the mill, and marriage. Since I had done well in my business classes, I chose secretary. I certainly would not become a teacher!
“When God shuts a door, He opens a window” is my belief. Teaching was the last thing I was going to ever do and it turned out to be the first because God had other plans for me.
On a beautiful sunny April day, I smiled as I drove the 75 miles to a teaching interview. Yes, the very one who had said she would never be a teacher was going to an interview for a teaching position!
I often remember the day of my interview and how God had changed my plan. It was for good just as He had said!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
Do you remember learning about Jonah in the Bible and how God changed his plans? Can you remember plans you had and how God had changed them for the good?
Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson, known to most as Jo, lives in Rome, Georgia. She
Gò0 dNews for Hikers The Way Up is Down
by Jan Merop
With lights secured around their foreheads, spelunkers are outfitted with the equipment to explore caves. They welcome the darkness, dirt, dank coolness, and adventure of finding their own way.
I've done some caving myself, but of a much tamer variety. The caves are open to the public for guided tours. The dankly cool atmosphere and darkness are relieved by dim electric lighting. Nor did I have to get dirty crawling through narrow crevices or a muddy place that may be a dead-end.
As fascinating as caves are, I prefer blue skies overhead and the sounds of nature surrounding me. But once while exploring a cave in Colorado, I was in for a surprise.
Following our guide, we descended into the bowels of the earth. He alerted us to points of interest as we kept moving along. Then he directed us to an opening and invited us to step through. I was amazed.
Above and around me, the skies, trees, birds, and refreshing mountain air contrasted markedly with the caves' earthy closeness. We had traveled down, yet stepped out on a high ledge overlooking the city.
Sometimes the way up is down. Life's situations may have us on our faces with no blue sky in sight. Getting down on our knees may be the only way up.
It's in trials that we learn to see from the perspective of bent knees. We're low with no place to look but up. Amazingly, we find that our cave wanderings have actually led us to the light and a view from a mountain top. It's what we can expect from God who loves us so much.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness
will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you”(Psalm 139: 7-12 NIV).
What if a man loses everything, including his family and health? Like Job in the Bible, he may enter a cave of despair and even take several wrong turns that lead to dead end traps of wrong thinking.
However, if in the darkness he reaches for God, the only glimmer of light he knows, God will use his trials to give him a heavenly perspective.
Down? Reach for that heavenly perspective. Sometimes the way up is down. Selah.
for Seniors Freedom Isn’t Free
by Dorothy Teague
We, as a nation, just celebrated July 4th. Because we are free, we had the choice of celebrating it the way we chose. Most families celebrate it by watching firework displays and eating a meal together. Others go to a graveyard to visit their loved one at their marker where it indicates that they fought and died for their country, fighting for freedom. Someone had to pay the price for freedom so that we could enjoy our day in the good old USA.
inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These are but two of the great men that shaped the framework of government for our country.
Not only are liberty and freedom important to all people in the world; it’s important to our Creator too. It was so important that Jesus went to the cross to buy our freedom, to take on our sin, so that we could have a choice between Heaven or Hell! He covered my sin with His blood so that I might be counted worthy to accept salvation and appear before God as blameless!
The word “freedom” comes from the same root as “friend,” an Indo-European word that meant “dear” or “beloved” (Fischer NY Times, 2005). Freedom’s definition is to be at liberty rather than confined or under physical restraint. Liberty has always been important to the leaders of our country. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry gave his speech before the Virginia Assembly with the famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!” which became the cry of the Revolution (www.loc.gov.library of Congress). Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote that “all men are endowed by their creator with certain
John 8:36 NIV says: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” He frees us from the bondage of sin and frees us to live life abundantly and have peace and joy! Jesus gave up His life for His “beloved,” His Bride. He took the punishment for our sin so that we could go free! No, freedom isn’t free. Someone had to pay the price. But we must be diligent lest we step back into sin. Galatians 5:1 NIV reminds us that we should stand firm and not let ourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (to sin). 1 Peter 2:16-17 NIV admonishes us that we not use our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God. Further, we are advised to honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king.
Freedom isn’t free! For our country to be free, many of our men and women had to die. Our freedom rests on their sacrifice. Our salvation and deliverance from the chains of sin was also bought at a great price – the blood of Christ at Calvary. He was the only One who could pay the tremendous price to save us so that we might go free!
Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn
"Not oNly are liberty aNd freedom importaNt to all people iN the world; it's importaNt to our Creator too."
Cleveland Church Directory
African Methodist Episcopal Price Memorial AME Zion 254 Dooley Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Anglican
Mission Cleveland 1165 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Apostolic
First Apostolic Church Of Cleveland 4859 Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (229) 343-6880
Assembly of God
The Collectives Church
1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 641-0193
Triune Assembly
301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church
2807 Old Alabama Rd. SW McDonald, TN 37353
Avenue Church
1720 Perry St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0489
Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7056
Bellefounte Baptist Church 132 Bellfounte Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-2312
Bethel Baptist Tabernacle 3165 Buchanan Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5820
Berean Baptist Church
2355 Bucks Pocket Rd SE, Old Fort, TN 37362 (423) 478-1697
Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101
Blue Springs Baptist Church 699 Blue Springs Church Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0932
Candies Creek Church 294 Old Eureka Rd Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 479-3731
Cedar Springs Baptist Church
723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5506
Center Point Baptist Church 1205 Lower River Rd NW Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 336-2133
Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936
Cloverleaf Baptist Church 2290 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3617
Clingan Ridge Baptist Church
2412 Georgetown Road, NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-3511
Covenant Baptist Church
249 Calhoun Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-2653
Dalton Pike Baptist Church 3055 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7606
East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728
Echos of Mercy Baptist Church 535 Durkee Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 715-9739
Elkmont Baptist Church 4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4600
Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Farmland Community Church 1675 Greendale Dr. SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 473-9891
First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423) 709-9100
Galilee Baptist Church 665 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 241-2740
Henegar Baptist Church 7423 Mouse Creek Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312
Hopewell Baptist Church
188 Old Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3763
Lebanon Baptist Church 1411 Old Parksville Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-6700
Macedonia Baptist Church 3119 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-1713
Maple Street Baptist Church 1700 Maple St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-3622
Maranatha Baptist Church 453 Blue Springs Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-8991
Michigan Avenue Baptist Church 2741 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-8891
Mt Carmel Baptist Church 7619 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1620
New Friendship Baptist Church 1344 Chatata Valley Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-6007
New Salem Baptist Church 175 Ladd Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323
North Cleveland Baptist Church
2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524
Oak Grove Baptist Church 4452 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-9125
Old Pathway Baptist Church 224 Rymer Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Parkway Baptist Church 185 Meadow Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-5522
Philadelphia Baptist Church 910 30th St SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Philippi Baptist Church 2325 Old Harrison Pike NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-5385
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 799 Inman Street East Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 (423) 476-4081
Public Church 850 17th St. NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4405
Ridgeview Baptist Church 1501 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5119
Samples Memorial Baptist Church
371 Samples Chapel Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-2329
Shenandoah Baptist Church 138 Osment Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-0103
Shiloh Baptist Church 357 Highway 64 Ocoee, TN 37361 (423) 338-4292
Shiloh Baptist Church 3406 Blair Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-5755
Stuart Park Baptist Church 850 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-6741
Tasso Baptist Church 164 Old Charleston Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2114
Temple Baptist Church 3070 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6813
Thompson Spring Baptist Church 5660 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 790-1823
Union Baptist Church 797 Hughes Lake Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-1720
Valley View Baptist Church 4657 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7707
Waterville Baptist Church 4555 Dalton Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-5582
West Cleveland Baptist Church
1959 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8927
Westwood Baptist Church 4001 Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-1534
White Oak Baptist Church 2043 White Oak Valley Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2359
Catholic
St Therese Catholic Church 900 Clingan Ridge Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8123
Charismatic
Cleveland Christian Fellowship 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642
Church of Christ
North Bradley Church of Christ 1510 Stuart Road NE, Suite 207 Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3298
Church of God
Community Chapel Church of God 807 Blythe Ave SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-2143
Church of God Sanctified, Inc. 746 First Street N.E. Cleveland, TN. 37311 (423) 479-3895
East Cleveland Church of God 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389
Fellowship of Praise Church of God 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121
Grace Community Church of God 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. (423) 614-0708
Heritage Fellowship Church of God 4635 South Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316
Iglesia de Dios Comunidad de Esperanza/COG Community of Hope 2779 APD 40, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 464-5691
International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoración 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977
Kinser Church of God 141 Kinser Road Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-7400
Lakeview Community Church 105 Pound Street SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423)-790-5805
North Cleveland Church of God 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513
Michigan Avenue Church of God 515 Minnis Road NE (423) 284-7573
Mt Olive Church of God
3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3381
Mt View Church of God 210 Roadway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (706) 455-3528
Pine Hill Church of God 1484 Old Alabama Rd McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 488-0939
Prospect Church of God 2220 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3020
South Cleveland Church of God 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382
Westmore Church of God 2440 Legacy Pkwy NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3415
Church of God of Prophecy
Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-7199
Durkee Road COGOP 201 Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-4384
Keith Street Ministries COGOP 4000 Keith ST. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-2448
Peerless Road COGOP 3301 Peerless Rd. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 303-2680
Spring Place COGOP 2530 Spring Place Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6414
Wildwood COGOP 140 Wildwood Ave Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-6584
The Church of God Jerusalem Acres 1826 Dalton Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1597
in
1025 Beech Circle NW Cleveland TN 37312 (423) 314-2382
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church 3625 N. Ocoee Street
Big Springs Methodist Church 1196 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5242
Black Fox United Methodist 1820 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-1908
Broad Street United Methodist 155 Central Ave NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5586
First United Methodist Church 3425 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-4504
Mt. Zion Methodist Church 7223 Georgetown Rd Cleveland, TN 37312
Pleasant Grove Community Church 3043 Pleasant Grove Church Rd SW Cleveland, TN 37311
Red Hill United Methodist Church 527 Red Hill Valley Road SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 728-5413
Tasso United Methodist 1106 Tasso Ln NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4457
Trinity United Methodist Church 731 1st St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-7900
Valley Head Methodist Church 920 Mouse Creek Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-0575
Wesley Memorial Methodist 3405 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-9578
Pentecostal
Faith Memorial Church 910 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6281
First United Pentecostal Church 4095 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-9436
Revolution Life Church 1525 Jones Ave SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 310-7287
Full Gospel House of Prayer 1500 Wildwood Ave. Cleveland, TN
Cleveland First Church Of The Nazarene 2712 Henderson Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 423-472-7371
New Hope Church of the Nazarene 4514 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3379
Benton Pike House Of Prayer
2615 Peach Orchard Hill Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323
Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591
2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050
Cleveland Community Chapel 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775
Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-2178
Crossroads Community Church 1000 South Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-2871
Dwelling Place Church International 523 Urbane Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200
Eagle’s Chapel Church 133 Beaty Dr NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Eleven22 Church 1701 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 488-4526
Evening Light Gospel 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311
Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654
God’s Family Fellowship 2823 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4490
Graceway Chapel 221 14th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-2226
Jacob’s Tent Fellowship 1080 Montgomery Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
The Journey Church 3191 South Lee Hwy, McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 728-4100
Living By Faith Ministries 1175 King Edward Avenue Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 457-9072
Living Stones Church 4165 Peerless Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Living Word Church 930 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028
Mount Zion Prayer Center 650 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 478-5044
New Life Bible Church 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882
Redemption To The Nations 2750 Keith Street NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 591-7886
Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249
(423) 478-2843
Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-2705
The TRIBE 1175 King Edward Avenue SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 380-8802
Tri-State Cowboy Church 200 Natures Trail SW, McDonald, TN 37353 (Building 3) (423) 303-8954
United Christian Church 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277
Unity Christian Ministries 2419 Georgetown Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-9338
Walker Valley Community 787 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-9696
Wings Of Love House Of Prayer 855 5th Street SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-5394
Presbyterian
Charleston Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8267 N Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-5004
First Cumberland Presbyterian 161 2nd St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6751
First Presbyterian Church 433 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5584
Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church 515 Flint Springs Rd Cleveland TN. 37323 (423) 284-6397
Prospect United Cumberland Presbyterian Church 310 New Murraytown Rd. NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-6181
St James Cumberland Presbyterian 151 Short St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5762
Trinity Presbyterian PCA 1780 Stuart Rd. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-9595
Seventh Day Adventist
Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312
Cleveland Fellowship Church 3687 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 671-7497
East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299
Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889
4200 Pryor Rd N.E. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 503-6394
Church Alive Ministries 6315 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8133
Church At Grace Point
Rock Bridge Community Church 3635 Georgetown Rd, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 641-1485
The Sanctuary 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Zion Assembly
Zion Assembly Church of God 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337
Mission Statement:
We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers. Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, He did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.
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