About Berea
Our purpose, our mission, and the story of how God has led us since 1993.
Our purpose
Fully developing followers of Jesus
Berea Baptist Church exists to give the people of Metro Knoxville the best opportunity to become fully developing followers of Jesus by:
- Inviting them to an intimate relationship with God through the new birth,
- Connecting them in healthy relationships with other Christians,
- Guiding them toward an authentic commitment to God,
- Involving them in life-changing ministry and mission in our city and the world,
that they may honor God completely, showing His glory.
Our mission
Evangelism and discipleship
Berea Baptist Church’s core mission is the evangelism of the lost and discipleship of the saved to produce a fully functioning mature believer that will lead others to the Lord Jesus Christ. This core mission is achieved through:
Local outreach
An active neighbor outreach through visitation, gospel tract distribution, public ministry and evangelistic meetings.
Discipleship
Dynamic, relevant teaching with a strong emphasis on the believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ, teaching how to have a truly close and rewarding relationship with God.
Home life and marriage
A strong emphasis is placed on developing and maintaining a Christian home, peace with family members and proper relationships in our homes. Each family member is important to us and we strive to provide relevant discipleship that each home may find “a slice of heaven in the home”.
Home mission outreach
An active national outreach in which the Church provides monetary and prayer support to like-minded ministries across our region and country. These ministries include juvenile outreach, prison ministries, church planters and others in full-time gospel ministry. Home Missions are supported through the Faith Promise Program of Berea Baptist Church.
Missions abroad
An active worldwide outreach in which we fulfill the great commission by sending others to reach the people of the “regions beyond” with the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing monetary and prayer support to like-minded missionaries from other independent churches, believing all monetary support should go to the missionary, not a convention or association. Missions abroad are supported through the Faith Promise Program of Berea Baptist Church.
Faith Promise
A wonderfully simple plan by which each member can personally participate in the support of missions at home and abroad. Faith Promise is giving beyond the Lord’s tithe by purposing to consistently give a set amount specifically to support missions outside the church. 100% of Faith Promise giving is sent to missionaries.
Since 1993
Our history
- 1993
In 1993, while serving as the assistant pastor to Dr. David Reagan at Trinity Baptist Temple, Pastor Napier was burdened for the people of the inner city of Knoxville, Tennessee. After seeking the counsel of Pastor Reagan, Berea Baptist Church was started in a storefront in September 1993, as a mission outreach of Trinity Baptist Temple, 5709 N. Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee. Pastor Napier, his wife, and three children began holding services in a small storefront on Western Avenue, while he continued to faithfully serve as Assistant Pastor to Dr. Reagan.
- 1994
In May 1994, the congregation had grown to become an autonomous, independent Baptist church. Pastor Napier resigned his position at Trinity Baptist Temple and was commissioned with the blessings of his Pastor and sending church to organize Berea Baptist Church. God gave us souls for our labors, membership increased, and by January 1995 the Church had outgrown the storefront and began praying for a building located in our area of service.
- 1995
In May 1995, God provided the means to purchase the building at 704 Washburn Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, located approximately 3 miles from downtown Knoxville. The church purchased the building and began its restoration. The ministry at Washburn Road flourished as the Lord added to the church, missionaries were sent out, a successful school was started, and multiple ministries were the result of this fruitful work.
- 2007
By Spring 2007, it was apparent the Washburn Road facility could no longer meet the needs of the church. The leadership of the Church began to seek God’s will for a facility to support the Church and school needs.
- 2008
In January 2008, Berea Baptist Church purchased a 23,000 square foot facility at 124 East Inskip Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee, meeting the Church’s present and long-term needs. After five months of renovation to the education wing, Berea Baptist Church moved into the building in May 2008, hosting a three-day building dedication with preaching, prayer, and praise.
- Present
With renovations completed in the Fall of 2012, the Church now meets in the building’s sanctuary on the upper floor. The Church has one of the largest home education satellite programs in the state of Tennessee, on-site education classes, a community outreach through neighborhood visitation, a family helps ministry through our Homebuilders Class, and much more. We extend our invitation to you to come and be part of this Bible-believing, Christ-honoring work.