2 Homeless women stay @fbcknox in February & have a home by Spring. @knoxtyp Blog:

First Baptist partners with Family Promise of Knoxville to provide shelter to homeless families for one week each quarter. Connie (top left) and Kim (bottom left) stayed with us on the Mezzanine in February and now live in an apartment. First Baptist gives through the budget to support Family Promise. Our volunteers fed these guests and spent the night with them. The resources you have given through the budget and your volunteer hours have made a huge impact on their lives. Here's a report from Connie on how they are doing now:

“Thank you Family Promise for giving Kimberly and I an environment where we could just breathe, a place that was and still is full of support and patience.
Kimberly and I received so much support and caring from each of our host churches and their volunteers, sometimes it was very overwhelming. I didn’t think it was possible for people who didn’t know us could care so very much.

"During our stay, we met wonderful people we will never forget. It was exciting to see who our host family for the night would be. Who would have thought Kim and I would meet a man who designed the lens for the Hubble Telescope, or someone from Scotland?

"The overall experience was a positive one. The room Kim and I had felt like home. The little gifts meant a lot to Kimberly, especially the monogrammed pillow case from one church and the pj’s with hearts all over from another. We cherish the memories.

"I now have my own apartment full of furnishings that someone gave to Family Promise. When I sit at the kitchen table and have morning coffee I look around and say to myself, 'I am Home. Kim and I are Home!' Thank you everyone!"

Connie and Kimberly

Thank you from Sabrina Ravanell, a face @fbcknox

Sammi (Sabrina) Thank-you-monial from First Baptist Church, Knoxville on Vimeo.

Sammi came to First Baptist Church with her family when they were active with the deaf congregation. Sammi got involved with the youth group at First Baptist and connected with others in the church. When it was time for Sammi to move on to college, the church surrounded her to provide support to help her succeed.

Thanks for a 3rd straight quarter of generosity @fbcknox new blog:

Thank you for giving to First Baptist Knoxville during the third quarter of 2010. Because you have given so generously, we have been able to celebrate the work that God is doing in our midst through the Fall Festival of Faith.

Just as summer turns to autumn, so this season of First Baptist has been one of harvesting and planting. We have reaped the benefit of wonderful relationships formed and renewed through Sunday School and small groups. Families have shared dinner conversations around the Bible study, worship, and sermon themes. Individuals have met providentially in ways they never expected. As many people said, “I didn’t know this person before the Festival; but I can see now why we have been brought together.”

Attached to this post, you will find another way we say thanks for giving. It’s the first edition of our “First Baptist Faces” cards. These are the people and families who write to tell us how First Baptist has touched their lives. You might never see the work that is done for them, and I want you to know about the difference you have made. Because you give, staff, volunteers, and ministries through our budget touch lives behind the scenes. You will be reading more of these First Baptist faces. If you have one to share, please drop me a line; and let me know the difference God has made in you through First Baptist.

As of today, our giving is over 11% ahead of last year. Thanks for your faithfulness, and I am looking forward to a great fourth quarter. Please let the office know if we can assist you.