Tender Mercies in the TKM: Juan

Juan sent in a referral request to meet with missionaries in May of 2024. He did not respond to missionaries at first but Sister Dever was persistent on Facebook and soon he started to respond. After several messages back and forth with the Sister Missionaries he met them in person.

Juan’s Story

Hi I am Juan. I am from Mexico and I met the missionaries by messenger and then eventually met in person. It’s really cool what they do. They help get people to Jesus. It is really awesome. The biggest experience I had was getting baptized. It was really cool. Keeping the commandments of God and His gospel, being a better person every day is awesome. In my opinion, it is the best thing I have ever done. It is really challenging for the missionaries but it is so cool that they help people change by reading the scriptures. It makes you think differently and better. I have been a better person since reading the Book of Mormon. The biggest miracle is being a better person and thinking better than I used to. I have been able to reach out to more people and have better conversations with people and especially the missionaries. I haven’t been to church a lot but I have loved being there with the awesome people, it is such a cool experience even though I haven’t been able to go there much. As I have followed the Word of Wisdom I have actually had more energy and been able to wake up as I have followed that commandment! I sleep better and rest a bit more. 

My relationship with God is continuing to grow. I have more faith in him. I used to have faith but now I feel that he is with me all the time. Every time I read the Book of Mormon I notice all the things in it have happened or are coming to pass. It helps me to not fall into the temptations of the world. Having the Holy Ghost has helped me feel more confidence. I don’t feel tension in my life and I have more relief. My trust in the Lord keeps growing and I am so blessed. I have so much gratitude that I can’t even express it in prayer. 

It’s not cool, it’s amazing and incredible and all of the big things. 

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I loved to see Juan and his progression and continuing progression in the gospel. From the first time we met him I knew Juan was ready to take steps of faith and from that time forward he did! I was so blessed to learn from someone so humble! 

-Sister Bosh

Teaching Juan has been an absolute privilege and pleasure. Juan, from day one, was full of light. Since his baptism he has illuminated Christlike charity. It has been beautiful to watch it flood into the lives of his family and friends. He is a beacon of light which many are drawn towards. Juan loves the gospel and continues to grow every day. I’ve been able to watch his desire to share the gospel grow and develop. He now is sharing with everyone around him like his coworkers and family. He recently told Sister Bosh and I that he shared the Tennessee Knoxville Mission “The Living Christ” with his boss!! He also told me the other night that his heart has changed and he is full of gratitude for his Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Juan and his example to me and he will forever have an impact on my life. 

– Sister Wall

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Johnny

Johnny’s story is nothing short of a miracle! His story starts with with his Aunt Barbara. His Aunt Barbara had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints within the past few years. The missionaries would stop by frequently to teach Barbara, and, because of life situations, Johnny was living with her when the missionaries would stop by. Time and time again, he turned the Elders away.

This changed one day after he had lost his leg in a tragic accident. This accident resulted with Johnny losing one of his legs and having to learn how to live his life with one leg. The Elders had taught Johnny about church and promised him great blessing if he came to church with them. Johnny promised the Elders that if he got a leg, he’d go to church that Sunday. Elder Clayton gave Johnny a powerful priesthood blessing and Johnny received his prosthetic leg the next day. This miracle led to Johnny coming to church and starting on the beautiful journey of walking the covenant path. This blessing was a huge turning point in Johnny’s conversion.

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Another turning point in Johnny’s conversion was watching “Jospeh Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” video. He watched what had happened to Joseph Smith and everything he went through and knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that God’s power was restored to the earth. As he read the Book of Mormon, he could simply feel and knew that it was true. He couldn’t deny it. He learned that the Book of Mormon is a light and a guide for him and anyone else who reads its pages.

As Johnny has continued down the covenant path, he would determinedly say that “I’m dedicated, already.” His greatest desire is to help the people around him to find the relief, love, and joy that he’s felt as he’s learned about Jesus Christ and how he can be born again and bless his family. He really wants to help his immediate family to come unto Christ and be baptized. He plans to be baptized for some of his family members who have passed when he goes to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead. He expresses so much thanks to his Aunt Barbara for helping him to find the church and truly find the light Christ offers to each of us.

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Johnny’s life before meeting the missionaries was not easy. He had a lot of experiences and hardships in his life. After meeting the missionaries, his life began to change! He still experienced many hardships and challenges as he prepared for baptism. Nevertheless, he tackled the harships and set backs with faith and hope.

Johnny was baptized on October 19, 2024 in the Hardin Valley Ward. When he finally made it to the waters of baptism, he was so excited! He stated that after his baptism and confirmation that, “My soul feels clean since I’ve been baptized.” He loves feeling clean, good, happier, and saved through Christ because of the covenant he has made with God. He has since received the Aaronic priesthood and is excited to help others.

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The story doesn’t end there! Johnny is so excited to continue to learn everything he can and continue to feel the love and hope that comes from Jesus Christ and the covenants we make. He makes an effort to share the gospel and the Book of Mormon with everyone that he interacts with! He has been changed through Christ and wants others to feel the pure joy that he has experienced. 

In the end, this promise from Johnny is a show of his testimony. He promises, “I will be faithful.” Johnny has been and continues to be faithful to Jesus Christ! Johnny loves the Lord and is filled with love and joy. He truly has been born again through the power of God and the redeeming power in Jesus Christ’s Atonement.

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Kaden

Growing up, Kaden has always been a good kid. He has a special spirit and a light that shines from within. He has been faithfully attending church from a young age and has loved learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how families can be together forever. He had the strong desire to one day be baptized. But it wouldn’t be an easy road and there were other things that needed to happen first. He needed to be adopted.

Kaden is the adopted son of Barry and Beverley, local members in the Powell Valley ward. Kaden has a deep love for them, especially his momma Beverley. They love Kaden and see the light and joy he radiates into the world and wanted to be able to help him grow that light. They’ve felt it is their calling to help and care for kids just like Kaden.

Barry and his wife Beverley have adopted 6 kids, and fostered over 100 in their home over the years. They have felt such joy as they mimister to the needs of God’s children. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. As they’ve done all they can to help these children of God find healing and joy in life, many have been introduced to the gospel and the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Their family has had many special experiences teaching the gospel in their home. They have gained a pure witness of the divinity of God’s children. Every single one is special, with unique gifts, personalities, struggles, and ways they are meant to bless the world. The Ison’s have seen lots of answers to prayers, mighty miracles even as they have cared for these special children who have come through their home. They see all of them as choice spirits, precious sons and daughters of God. Although there has been lots of trial and heartache, there has been lots of love and blessings poured out from heaven. They have found it a blessing to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands in touching the hearts of many. Many of these kids have come to know their Savior more deeply, kids like Kaden.

Before Kaden could be baptized he needed to be adopted. There were worries that it would not be possible, but Kaden’s great grandpa promised he would keep him and his brother together. They would do all that they could to see him happy and safe. There was a time where things got difficult and it seemed like things wouldn’t work out but through persistent effort and the power of God in working many miracles they were kept together. This family, who had been raising these two boys and teaching them to follow Jesus Christ, were finally able to adopt Kaden and his brother. Once they were adopted they became eligible for baptism.

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In preparation for his baptism, Kaden began meeting with the missionaries. He always felt good meeting with the missionaries and especially enjoyed learning about the temple where families can be sealed together forever. He has a firm testimony of God’s plan for eternal families. One day he will be sealed to his parents and great granpapa.

Kaden Ison and his brother Garrett were baptized on April 21, 2024. Kaden has felt so much joy in his life since his baptism. For him, baptism was a great milestone and a true outward expression of his inward commitment to following Jesus Christ and trying to be like him.

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Jacob

Jacob’s story begins with the sister missionaries teaching his mom Rebecca. She said that he had asked why the elders never stop by to visit him. While the sisters had tried to teach him, he was not interested so this was a big change and a surprise for the sisters.

Immediately the sisters called the Hixson elders, Elder Mendenhall and Elder Harmon. They set up a time to visit with Jacob the next day. During the first lesson Jacob talked about how he has been trying to live a better life and wanted to change to be better. He also talked about how he was actually an atheist and hated god and used to tell people god wasn’t real, but as he saw his mom gain joy and happiness with meeting with missionaries he wanted to see what it was all about.

The missionaries explained that baptism was the way to gain a relationship with God. Jacob said he wanted to be baptized but didn’t feel now was the right time. In the next few lessons, his heart was softened by the Spirit and he went from saying he would be baptized at 18 to being baptized in a few months.

A big moment in his conversion was the story found in Mosiah 18 when Alma was teaching the people at the Waters of Mormon. As we watched the Book of Momorn video with him he was inspired and touched by the Spirit. It seemed every lesson after that the Spirt was teaching Jacob. Elder Mendenhall was transferred out and Elder Haderlie had came to serve in Hixson as a new missionary.

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During the whole process of preparing Jacob to be baptized, Jacob had been attending church with his mom and building friendships with the youth his age. After a few weeks of teaching Jacob, his mom Rebecca was baptized. At her baptism, he shared his testimony and expressed how happy he was and that he felt he was ready to be baptized.

At the beginning of the planning stages for Jacob’s Baptism, he expressed that he didn’t want very many people at his baptism and only wanted his closest friends and family. But as members kept expressing their love for him and as he attended youth activities he was gaining true friendships that would be life long. He started inviting people to his baptism.

Jacob was baptized on August 4, 2024. He couldn’t have been more happy. His closest friend came to his baptism as well as six other non-members, including his sister who was also taking the missionary lessons. As he came out of the water, Jacob had the biggest smile, gave Elder Harmon a hug, and expressed how much he felt God’s love.

While changing back and drying off Elder Harmon said Jacob told him he felt something and it was warm and powerful and knew it was the Spirit. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, he was visibly happier and more joyful. His mom shared her testimony at the baptism on how as a mother, she saw the hand of the Lord working in Jacob’s life and it was incredible to see his mighty change of heart.

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A few months later Jacob was able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead. While waiting to go back and change, the Temple President came in and talked to him about the joys of the temple. Jacob expressed that this was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. After doing baptisms, and as everyone was walking around the temple grounds, he talked to the Elders saying he wished he could explore more of the temple. They shared that one day he would get the chance to experience everything the temple offered. He was so happy and expressed he looks forward to that day.

Jacob is now serving and a faithful priesthood holder, blessing and passing the sacrament to the members and friends of the Hixson ward.

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Kris

Kris was found on Facebook about three years ago. He called the first missionaries to meet with him “The Carson Twins”, Carson Noble and Carson Hagberg. From the beginning, Kris was interested in the things they had to say and enjoyed meeting with the elders. 

Eventually, as he continued to meet with the missionaries, listen to the Book of Mormon, and come to church, Kris felt a desire to be baptized. He was unable to be baptized for a few years due to personal matters, but continued to be taught by the missionaries and to build relationships with the ward. Great members of the Hixson ward like Harold and Trudy Johnson, Joe Thomas, and Brad Tobler kept Kris fellowshipped and encouraged him to live the gospel while he waited for his time to be baptized to come.

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On May 28th, Kris received word that he would finally be able to get baptized. This was a huge deal! He was elated! Christ was baptized on June 8, 2024. There was great support for Kris at his baptism. He was very excited to finally become a member of Christ’s church.

Kris was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 9, 2024. The week previous, he bore his testimony in sacrament meeting, testifying that he knew he was making the right choice and that the gospel of Jesus Christ would continue to bless his life. Kris plans to travel the United States soon and visit as many temples as he can, doing the work for others. His story is a testament to the fact that the Lord can open doors and change lives.

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Laurencio

Missionaries had probably been knocking on Laurencio’s door for months. Laurencio even talked to missionaries almost a year earlier before he started meeting with the missionaries the most current time. We had knocked on his door a couple of times in the past, but one day we knocked and he answered and he set up a time to meet with us.

The day of our return appointment with Laurencio arrived, and we forgot that we were supposed to be meeting with him. Fortunately we found ourselves in his apartment complex trying to contact other people there. However, Laurencio was faithful to his word and was outside waiting for us. As we walked by, he called out to us and told us that we could come up. So we dropped what we were doing and taught Laurencio about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

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Laurencio started meeting with us regularly. Everytime we’d leave Laurencio with a reading assignment in the Book of Mormon, the next time when we’d be following up on his reading, he’d have the assigned chapter marked up in red. Eventually, Laurencio started attending church with us.

One day, we asked Laurencio how he felt about the things we’d been teaching him. He told us that he felt good about them and that ever since he started meeting with us, that even though his wife and family are back in México, he had been growing closer to his family. Laurencio made the decision to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was baptized July 14, 2024.

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The Living Christ – Round 2

At our December Zone Conference, we invited our missionaries to memorize”The Living Christ“. We did this last year as well, but now have a new group of missionaries who weren’t with us then. When each missionary arrives in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we give them a flip book that will help them memorize this powerful statement about the Savior.

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Speaking of “The Living Christ”, President Russell M. Nelson said:

The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission—the more we understand His doctrine and what He did for us—the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives…

As you seek to learn more about Jesus Christ, I urge you to study “The Living Christ.” As we invest time in learning about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice, we are drawn to participate in another key element to accessing His power: we choose to have faith in Him and follow Him.”

President Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives“, April 2017 General Conference

We hope families will join with their missionaries memorizing The Living Christ. Here are the images we use so you can print up your own flip book:

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Tender Mercies in the TKM: Olivia

Olivia played softball at BYU last year and decided to switch over to Chattanooga State. While she was at BYU she met her boyfriend Logan who grew up as a member. Olivia was having a rough week. Olivia was telling Logan she just wanted to feel more peace. Logan told her to go to the nearest church to feel more peace.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building was only 10 minutes away from Olivia house so she decided to go there. It just so happened that the Tabernacle Choir Watch Party was happening that night in the Chattanooga Stake. The Ootlewah elders ran into her at the Watch Party and learned more about why she came to the church that night. They set up a return appointment and started to teach her.

Olivia was well prepared to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. The elders invited her to be baptized on October 20th. Olivia said yes! She said she had been waiting for them to ask her.

The Elders realized that Olivia didn’t live in Ooltewah and they would have to pass her off to the sister missionaries in the Chattanooga Ward. We had the most amazing spiritual pass off lesson with the Elders at the house of one of our incredible members who we knew Olivia would connect with. The Spirit was incredibly strong and Olivia expressed to us she was going through a lot of challenges with her family relationships. She said it was extremely hard to give up some other things as well but she knew this gospel was a piece missing from her life.

Olivia was baptized in October 20, 2024. It was so beautiful! After she came out of the water she was crying. She felt the Spirit so strong and felt warmth.

That week Olivia was able to attend the Atlanta Temple to do baptisms and confirmations. She was so excited to enter the House of the Lord. She felt so much peace and comfort there and cant wait to go back again! She has the strongest testimony of gospel of Jesus Christ and the prophet Joseph Smith. She has shared the gospel with several different people around her.

Olivia is now engaged to her fiance Logan and plans to get sealed in the temple as soon as she can. She is a primary teacher in the Chattanoga Ward and has so much love for the children she teaches. She has seen the blessings that Heavenly Father has for her and the happiness it brings into her life. Olivia has truly impacted our lives and her testimony is so beautiful. We are so grateful we are able to be apart of her journey and to build such an amazing friendship with her. We sure do love Olivia!

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The TKM LOVES our Senior Missionaries!

Once each transfer, we gather together with all of the senior missionaries in the mission. On December 14th, all senior missionaries in the TKM gathered at the mission home for a Christmas Party. We had a wonderful lunch together and shared white elephant gifts. The best part is being together, sharing our experiences, and getting to know each other better. This is a special group with a special connection.

It was Sister Jentzsch’s birthday, so our Christmas party doubled as a birthday celebration! Sister Jentzsch is the heart and soul of the mission. Happy Birthday Sister Jentzsch!

Elder and Sister Hillman brought their Christmas bells, so we created our own bell choir to play some Christmas songs.

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A special shout out to my mom Marilyn and my sister Christie who flew into Tennessee to help us this week and cooked lunch for all of our senior missionaries.

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This is a great opportunity to introduce all of our incredible senior missionaries!

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Elder and Sister Jentzsch

Elder and Sister Jentzsch arrived in the TKM a month before we did, so we can’t imagine the TKM without them! Sister Jentzsch serves as our mission secretary and keeps us all organized, and Elder Jentzsch is our Vehicle Coordinator and is responsible for the 84 vehicles in the mission. Both are really big jobs and the Jentzsch’s do them incredibly well. They also serve in the Loudon Ward where they are having many special experiences as missionaries and ministers.

Sister Young

Sister Young is our Mission Health Advisor. With a background as a nurse, she supports our missionaries with all things related to their physical health. When you are around her, you will notice her phone rings frequently. She is always so kind, generous, and supportive. All of the missionaries love her! I don’t know what we would do without Sister Young (or Sister Ford)! We like to call Sister Young the TKM Ministering Angel because we have watched her drive from Knoxville to Asheville to Chattanooga and then back to Knoxville in the same day ministering to missionaries!

Sister Ford

Sister Ford also serves as a Mission Health Advisor. She lives in Kingsport, TN and like Sister Young is like a guardian angel of the mission. One of Sister Ford’s super powers is being a cheerleader. Along with keeping everyone healthy, she is always encouraging the missionaries in their missionary work. We love Sister Ford and have been so grateful for her service as a missionary.

Elder and Sister Neville

The Nevilles are from St. George, Utah and started in the TKM in September 2023. They have been serving in the Powell Valley Ward and also help to support the Group in Harlan, Kentucky. They are incredible ministers and have helped new and returning members, have taught self-reliance classes, helped families with significant welfare needs, and helped members progress on the covenant path. They have been so willing to do whatever is needed to help support their ward. The missionaries in their district gather each week for district council meetings at the Nevilles’ home and they love to spend time with them.

Elder and Sister Chris

Elder and Sister Chris are from Santa Clara, Utah and have been serving since October 2023. They live in Hendersonville, North Carolina and serve in the Hendersonville 2nd Branch, which is a Pohnpeian branch in the Asheville Stake. They have completely embedded themselves in the branch and adopted the Micronesian culture as their own. The members in that little branch love them and have gifted them many beautiful necklaces and head wreaths as a symbol of their gratitude for all Elder and Sister Chris do. We were especially grateful to have them in the Asheville area during Hurricane Helene where they provided calm and assurance for the missionaries and helping hands for the Asheville community.

Elder and Sister Hillman

Elder and Sister Hillman are from West Jordan, Utah and have been serving since November 2023. They heard Elder Rasband’s talk in the October 2023 General Conference and were here a month later. Sister Hillman has tremendous organizational skills and keeps everything in the office organized. She is in charge of supplies for the missionaries and takes care of the many lunches and dinners that happen with meetings across the mission. Elder Hillman serves as our Technology Specialist and Referral Secretary. They also serve in the Knoxville YSA branch and have had great experiences there. The Hillmans are well loved by the missionaries and have been mentors and examples of Christlike service to all of us.

Elder and Sister Bennett

Elder and Sister Bennett are from Asheville, North Carolina and have been serving since January 2024. They serve in the Asheville Central Branch and the missionaries all love the Bennetts! They are often side-by-side with the missionaries as they teach new friends and recent converts. They also were an incredible blessing during the challenges we had with Hurricane Helene. They didn’t have power or water for a number of days but that didn’t stop them from welcoming the missionaries with open arms to their home. Even in the aftermath of a hurricane, Elder and Sister Bennett didn’t miss a moment of Southern hospitality! Memories of charity and love from the Bennetts will stay with the missionaries for life.

Elder and Sister Markli

Elder and Sister Markli are from Oak Ridge, Tennessee and are serving as Temple Construction Missionaries at the construction site of the Knoxville Tennessee Temple. The missionaries love to take friends to visit the Markli’s at the visitor center set up at the temple site. Their district of missionaries also love to have their district councils there. They recite The Living Christ from memory on their drive to the temple site each day. They know the Savior and it shows in the way they serve. The Marklis will continue to serve until the temple is completed.

Elder and Sister Davis

Elder and Sister Davis are from Farmington, Utah and have been serving since March 2024. They live in Sevierville, Tennessee and serve in the Sevierville Ward and Member and Leader Support missionaries. They’ve been busy working to contact all less active and prospective elders in the ward and inviting them to return. They have a love for family history and set up family history booths and many of the local county fairs this summer. They are also organizing service opportunities for every area in our mission. Elder and Sister Davis have been a great blessing to their ward and every time we see the members, they tell us how much they love and appreciate Elder and Sister Davis. We do too!

Elder and Sister Browning

Elder and Sister Browning are from Smithfield, Utah and have been serving since July 2024. Sister Browning as our Financial Secretary and Elder Browning is our Housing Coordinator. These are two incredibly big jobs. We don’t know what we would do without the Brownings. They are incredible! And everyone loves serving with them. Sister Browning has a gift of eyes to see what is needed and the ability to quickly and kindly take care of things and people. Elder Browning is a man of great humility and faith. They also serve in the Smoky Mountain Ward and help minister there.

Elder and Sister Heslop

Elder and Sister Heslop are from Ogden, Utah and have been serving since October 2024. They live in Crossville, Tennessee and serve and Member and Leader Support missionaries in the Crossville 1st Ward and the Crossville 2nd Branch. In their role, they are helping to minister to less active members, part member families, and prospective elders. The missionaries love to be in their home and spend time with them every chance they get. The Heslops bring incredible experience and we are so grateful they are here serving in the TKM.

Elder and Sister Puentes

Elder and Sister Puentes are from West Jordan, Utah and joined us in the TKM in November 2024. They live in Morristown, Tennessee and serve in the Lakeway Ward supporting the Spanish Group there. The members and missionaries felt an immediate connection with Elder and Sister Puentes! Elder Puentes has a great sense of humor and always gets a laugh. Sister Puentes is humble, warm, and it’s easy to feel her love for the Lord.

Elder and Sister Hendrix

Elder and Sister Hendrix are from Taylorsville, Utah and started their service in November 2024. They live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and are assigned to the Chattanooga Ward. The missionaries love them already! They are the classic grandparents away from home- full of love, kindness, and a great talent for ministering as the Savior does. We have already seen them be His hands as the serve. They are musically talented and their little branch is in for a treat whenever they share their incredible talents. We are so blessed to have them here in the TKM!

Elder and Sister Shumway

Elder and Sister Shumway started in the TKM in December 2024. They are from Mesa, Arizona, live in Lafayette, Georgia, and are serving in the Lafayette Branch. Even though they’ve only been here a few weeks, we’ve already received multiple calls from members of the branch thanking us for sending the Shumways there. They have a great sense of humor, are fun to be around, have incredible experience in serving in the church, and will make a tremendous difference in their missionary service.

Elder and Sister Greaves

Elder and Sister Greaves are from Ogden, Utah and began their service in December 2024. They are living in Abingdon, Virginia and will serve in the Abingdon Ward. The Greaves have a grandson serving here, have joined our weekly zoom call with families called “Knit Together Sunday”. One week while on our zoom call, they felt a strong impression they should come serve in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission…and here they are! We love their faith in answering the call to serve. They are very talented and bring remarkable church experience that will greatly bless the people in Abingdon.

When we first came to the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we had 11 senior missionaries serving, with three couples close to returning home. Today we are so fortunate to have 28 senior missionaries serving. Each of them are making an incredible difference in the TKM. These missionaries make a tremendous difference in the wards and branches where they serve, but they make an even bigger difference with the young missionaries they serve with every day.

And yet, we could still use many more senior missionaries. If you’ve thought about serving, and especially if you would like to join us in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, please reach out to me and Sister Barlow. We would love to share with you the ways that you can serve and the great difference you will make. We promise you will have a life-changing experience. We would love to have you serve here in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, but any mission would be happy to welcome you.

If you’ve ever thought about serving, watch this talk from Elder Ronald A. Rasband titled, “How Great Will Be Your Joy”. Please come!

See these other posts about the impact of senior missionaries:

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Welcome to the TKM!

On December 11th, we welcomed 16 new missionaries to the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. They will be serving here for the next 18 or 24 months.

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We had a great welcoming committee at the airport with he welcome posters made by our departing missionaries.

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Because it was wet and cold, we held all of the orientation at the stake center in Farragut, though we did get to go out to Market Square and find people to teach.

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The most exciting part of welcoming new missionaries is assigning them to their trainers and first areas. We know Heavenly Father has great trust and confidence in these trainers. Here are the trainer assignments for these new missionaries.

New MissionaryTrainerArea
Sister IongiSister Bunderson/CampbellBrevard
Sister LauluSister NunnMarion
Sister RushSister Bosh/LowAsheville
Sister DiedeSister PetersenEast Ridge
Sister LancasterSister BundyRinggold
Sister PetersonSister WilsonPleasant Ridge
Sister WilliamsSister MasseyGreenville
Elder KeelerElder WrightLafayette
Elder JarmanElder WoodwardCherokee
Elder HalesElder WilsonJamestown
Elder GuntherElder SommerLebanon 2nd
Elder BronsonElder EyreLebanon 3rd
Elder TylerElder CarrollWatauga
Elder WoodruffElder McDonaldPowell Valley
Elder PainterElder Wickliffe/FarnesAthens
Elder ChristensenElder FarrSevierville

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Can’t wait to see what this group accomplishes and the disciples of Christ they become during their time in the TKM!

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