Tag: missionary

Tender Mercies in the TKM: James

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by Elder Rumsey

Elder Bangerter and Elder McClellan started to fellowship James in the spring of 2023. They loved meeting with him and his family. At that time James kids, April’s step children weren’t members yet. But steadily they began to want to be baptized. Eventually, I, Elder Rumsey began my mission in March of 2023 and I was trained by Elder Bangerter. I met James on the third day of my mission. I became fast friends with James along with the rest of their family. We ate dinner at their house many times and loved meeting them for the three months I was there. I wanted James to be baptized, but I wasn’t sure what to do as he didn’t feel ready to make that covenant at the time. 

I eventually had to leave the area and added the Herndon family to my weekly email list. There was a small prayer in my heart that James would read them and feel the Spirit. 

Elder Barrow and Elder Nash became companions and started to teach James kids. Who soon enough, in the summer of 2023 decided they wanted to be baptized. In July of 2023 they were baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-Day Saints. The only member of the family who wasn’t a member at this point was James. 

From this point forward, the spiritual progress of helping James reach the waters of baptism was slow. The Herndon family is a busy bunch. James also was fighting an unknown medical condition at the time. They were constantly trying to find answers to why he felt the way he did. We now know he has Parkinson disease. 

One year later, I was called back to Kingsport! At the time, I had only guessed why I  was sent back to my first area on my mission. I tried to see James and the rest of the Herndons but they were away for a while. I wasn’t able to get ahold of them for about 8 weeks of being back. I figured that I wouldn’t be able to. 

Out of no where, James’ wife April came to church and invited Elder Croney and I over to do a service project. The following Saturday came and James was there, it was the first time I had seen him in over a year. After the service project was finished. The we went inside for dinner and to share a message. As we shared our message I felt the stirrings of the Spirit to invite James to be baptized. It was so random and out of no where that I was caught off guard. It had been a year since I had talked to James and I didn’t want to be rude. He had a lot going on in his life and to be honest, I didn’t want to invite him and ruin any progression that he had while I was away. So I unfortunately pushed it aside, assuming I had thought it at random.  

As we left the house the feeling of regret grew. In my heart I knew that what I had pushed aside was the Spirit. I pleaded with the Lord to give us another chance to invite him.

The next day, James came to church. Elder Croney and I knew that if there was ever a time to seal the deal, it was then and there. We asked James after Sacrament Meeting to come into a classroom to sit down and talk with us. James being the nice guy he is, agreed. 

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As we began to talk, I confessed that I felt as though I missed a prompting from the Spirit. I could see a look of interest and a glimpse of a smile on James face as I explained how I felt. I then invited James to be baptized. James’ response startled both Elder Croney and I. He said, “I knew you wanted to ask me! I could see it on your face. Yes, I would love to be baptized.” As simple as the moment sounds reading it on paper, the Spirit was so strong. 

James was then baptized the following week on July 21, 2024.

#TKMTenderMercies

Changing Our Vision

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Message in September 2, 2024 Newsletter

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is found in Acts 3 where Peter and John heal a man who had been crippled since birth. In my opinion, it is also one of the best Bible Videos (that you can watch here).  

As this story begins, this likely was not the first time Peter and John had seen this man.  In fact, they probably have seen him and walked past him each time they had been to the temple.  Verse 2 notes he was “laid daily at the gate of the temple…to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.” And that happened again this time. “Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”

But something changed when they saw him this time. Verse 4 has the phrase of “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John…”. This time, Peter and John saw this lame man differently than they had before. Their vision changed. And because of that, a miracle occurred. 

To his request for alms, Peter responds, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:6-8).

Because they acted differently, the outcome changed completely for both the lame man, and also Peter and John. Think about the difference this experience made for the lame man. He had never stood on his feet, but now he could walk and jump. But I also think about the difference it made for Peter and John. To heal this man must have had a great impact on them as well. 

There are some great lessons we can learn from this story: 

  1. To change our results in life, we have to change what we do. To change what we do, we have to change what we think. To change what we think, we have to change what we see. 
  1. Thus, a key to getting different results is to have a vision of what needs to be accomplished. We have to see people differently. We have to see our circumstances differently. We have to see His work differently. 
  1. This is so important with missionary work. A bold vision of the work can cause us to see things differently.  As we see things differently, we begin to think differently.  As we think differently, we begin to act differently.  And as we act differently, results will begin to change.  It all begins with obtaining a new vision of what needs to be accomplished…to see things differently.

With that in mind, what is your vision for the work? How can you see things differently? Don’t be afraid to try to new things – to act differently – to change your current outcomes. Always act within the standards we’ve been given, but change up your routines. Break out of patterns that may be limiting your thinking of what is possible. Break those lids! 

See differently…think differently…act differently…results change.

We love you and are so grateful to serve with you. Let me or Sister Barlow know if you need anything!

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Michelle

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Michelle was found by missionaries knocking on her door. Sister Chappell and Sister Campbell had found a friend at an apartment complex and had scheduled a lesson with him, but when they went to the lesson he wasn’t home. Preach My Gospel teaches us, “Perhaps you have been led to this person because someone else in the home or neighborhood is ready for the gospel” (page 173). As they considered this, Sister Campbell felt prompted to knock on the door of a house nearby.

The missionaries were led to Michelle’s door and she answered. They felt impressed to share some gospel music together, and as they did, they got to know each other better. The missionaries shared the song “Disciple of Christ” and Michelle loved it! They set up a time to visit her again and began teaching her about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ..

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As the missionaries got to know Michelle better, she told them that she had been praying for people to talk to God with her. Michelle already knew Jesus Christ and had faith in Him. She always studied her Bible. She grew up in a different religion and had always felt close to the Savior. She quickly gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the truths she was being taught.

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Michelle was baptized on July 20, 2024 and is now a member of the Hixson Ward.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Jennifer

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Two missionaries pulled into the Food City parking lot to do some public contacting. One of the missionaries said “Hey, I think we need to go visit the Webb’s – you know the ones mentioned in branch council that moved here a few years ago?” Immediately they hopped back in the car and headed out.

Just a few miles over, John and Jenny Webb were out looking for some of their chickens that had been attacked the night before. They were always hard at work; gardening, taking care of chickens, quail, goats, and dogs, and their sweet grandson Westley. They previously had lived in Texas with a large home and lots of land and busy work schedules. Their dream of building a home and having land brought them to Tennessee. However, an injury from an accident required 8 surgeries and an amputation, which put a halt to the plans to build a home. Times were hard and money was tight, but the Webbs had been through a lot, and they knew they had each other.

When the missionaries pulled up, they were immediately impressed by the down-to-earth kindness from John and Jenny. They have always lived in a manner of serving and loving others, and they have taken many teens into their home over the years. John grew up in the church, and has always clung onto his testimony. When they moved here they looked up the church building and were considering going. The missionaries visited and talked about the sacrament and invited them to church.

The first time they came to church they just stayed for sacrament meeting. That week was Jenny’s birthday. The missionaries weren’t planning on stopping by their house that day, but the Spirit said otherwise. So they baked a little cake and dropped it off. Jenny was touched that someone was aware of her and that she got to celebrate her birthday in a simple way. The missionaries went by again and asked Jenny if they could teach her. Jenny said absolutely!

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She explained that many missionaries have knocked on her door over the years and she has always been irritated. However, this time was different. She said that her experiences in the last few years had changed her heart.

The missionaries started coming over a few times a week, and Jenny started reading in the Book of Mormon every day. She is legally blind, but didn’t let that stop her. She installed the Book of Mormon app and Gospel Library and zooms in on her phone so that she can see it and listen to the scriptures.

When she learned about the Godhead and that we are created in the image of our Heavenly Father, she said it made so much sense! Jenny continued to read and pray every day. She didn’t miss going to church on Sunday, and she kept praying for an answer.

As we talked about patterns of revelation and light, she was able to connect with the pattern that is akin to walking through fog; where there is only enough light to take one step at a time. When the missionaries invited her to be baptized she was overwhelmed and felt she wasn’t ready. As she had doubts and fears, she continued to turn to the Book of Mormon and pour out her heart in prayer. One Sunday she came up to the missionaries and said, “I’m ready to take the next step into the fog.”

As we planned her baptism there was continuous opposition. One afternoon Jenny stood in the parking lot at the church and felt like she simply couldn’t do it anymore. She wasn’t sure she could carry on and continue to prepare to be baptized. Sister Holladay and Sister Gabbitas each had a unique story they shared. Their experiences struck a chord with Jenny, and she was able to pause and remember why she was working towards this. As they stood in the parking lot crying together, they uttered a simple prayer, and the Spirit spoke peace to their hearts. Jenny had a clear thought. “This is why.” She felt this peace is why it is all worth it. This is why we turn to God in our struggles, so that He can consecrate those experiences for our gain. This is why true joy comes from turning to Jesus Christ.

When Jenny told her sister (who joined the church years ago) that she was getting baptized, her sister shared an experience she’d had 15 years ago. They had been at a Webb family gathering and a discussion about the church ensued. Someone made a comment that Jenny would never join the church. She stood up and said “I never said that!” In that moment, her sister saw her standing there in all white, and she felt in her heart that Jenny would someday be baptized. When she heard the news from her sister, she cried tears of joy.

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Jenny was baptized and confirmed on July 21, 2024. Her father in law, Bill Webb, who is in his 80’s, was able to perform those sacred ordinances. As Jenny sat down and John and Bill Webb stood in the circle to confirm her, the most beautiful light emanated from them. This was a family on the path to their eternal progression.

Jenny and John look forward to the day they will be sealed. Jenny continues to read the Book of Mormon every day and she says that she will not let the adversary take away what she has. Jenny and John continue to love and serve everyone around them and look forward to their path of progression together. Jenny shared, “Even though we have less than we have ever had before, even though we have lost so much, I have never been happier.”

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Benny

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by Benny Ware

It starts with faith. And since I was young, I pretty much had faith that Jesus was my Lord and Savior. That was stuff my grandmother taught me.

I moved to Bristol and I wasn’t really going to church. One day, while I was at the laundromat, some people talked to me about joining their church. But I lost the information, so I looked up a church online. I was looking for a church and I saw an ad that had The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I decided to give that one a try. That is where God told me to go, so that’s where I went.

I saw an ad in the mail about a truck and they gave me zero down and no payments for three months. It’s a lot easier for me to get to church in my truck. God was good and He found a way for me to get there!  

Upon going there I was introduced to the missionaries by Bishop Keohane, and we started meeting at Dairy Queen. They taught me lots of great things like the Doctrine of Christ which is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then (their favorite) enduring to the end. 

I was baptized on June 29, 2024.

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After my baptism, I was able to go to the temple in North Carolina. They invited me to go to the temple to perform the ordinances, so that was pretty cool. I got to perform my first baptism. It was the most peaceful place I had ever been on earth. 

Every Sunday, I get to partake in the sacrament which renews our covenant with the Lord, helping us to endure to the end. Because of the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, I’ve been able to see the world differently. I can even tell I heal better. 

Listening to a lot of those talks, which come from the scriptures in the Book of Mormon, I’ve been able to become a better peacemaker. The talk about peacemakers from the prophet was awesome! 

When I first got to the church I was like, “I don’t know about this Book of Mormon thingy.” But I like how the prophecies in the Book of Mormon prophecy of things to come, and that’s the most compelling part. Like when Benjamin foretells the coming of Jesus Christ way before His mortal ministry. I like how it’s the same lessons from Jesus, but it’s so repetitive because we need it over and over again. I love the Book of Mormon.

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Welcome to the TKM!

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On August 7th, 14 new missionaries arrived in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission! Sister Brown arrived on time from the Mexico MTC, but the other 13 missionaries from the Provo MTC were delayed and didn’t arrive until 2am on August 8th. Needless to say, it was a very long day of travel for them.

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This is a great group of missionaries! They will begin in the TKM with the following assignments:

MissionaryTrainerArea
Sister BrownSister SmithLebanon 2nd Branch
Elder CarleyElder ClarkGrove Park Spanish
Elder ColungaElder CollinsFranklin
Sister CovingtonSister AngellSignal Mountain
Elder GrantElder HarperDalton 2
Elder GreenElder LewisWatauga
Elder HirstElder StakerOoltewah
Elder KerbyElder PreeceHouse Mountain
Elder McDonaldElder WilsonPowell Valley
Elder MorganElder ScottRotherwood
Elder PotterElder AndrusJamestown
Elder RobbinsElder FisherLoudon Spanish
Sister RoseSister BirdJohnson City
Elder SpethElder OlsonMarion Branch

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Elder Speth
Sister Rose
Elder Robbins
Elder Potter
Elder Morgan
Elder McDonald
Elder Kirby
Elder Hirst
Elder Green
Elder Grant
Sister Covington
Elder Colunga
Elder Carley
Elder and Sister Browning
Sister Brown

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The departing missionaries made great welcome posters as part of the TKM Family Olympics!

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Because they arrived so late, we had a late start in the morning and weren’t able to do our typical orientation activities like going to the University of Tennessee campus to contact people.

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But the best part of Day 1 is always assigning the new missionaries to their trainers. These trainers are all terrific missionaries. I will forever be grateful for my trainer from the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, Garland Parris. Shout out to Elder Parris! Very few people have had the impact on my life that you’ve had. I will forever be grateful for you. We hope these new missionaries will feel the same way about their trainers.

#WhatsUpInTKM

10th TKM Family Olympics

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On Tuesday, August 6th, we had 13 incredible missionaries complete their missionary service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. We met for lunch and discussed the lessons they’ve learned in becoming lifelong disciples of Christ, especially the importance of being in the Book of Mormon daily, taking the sacrament weekly, and being in the temple regularly. These 13 missionaries have learned how to apply the Doctrine of Christ in their lives.

We then had the chance to meet with each of them individually and give them a final priesthood blessing as missionaries.

Elder Josh Russell
Elder Easton Wakefield
Elder Dallin Symes
Elder Addler Tubbs
Elder Bronson Bradshaw
Elder Solomon Sleater
Elder Joseph McClellan
Elder Talon Bluemel
Elder Braden Fisher
Elder McAllister Berg
Elder Hunter Bangerter
Sister Anna Stephens
Sister Sophia Dalby

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After that, we went to the mission home, changed clothes, and started the competition for the 10th TKM Family Olympics. Once again, the marquee event was the welcome poster making contest, along with corn hole, bocce, and Kub.

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In a change of rules, we allowed missionaries to share with the judges some explanations of their posters. You can see a couple of pictures above of elders trying to sway the judges.

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While the competition was fierce, there can only be two gold medal winners!

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On the strength of their welcome poster (designed after the Facebook profile pics of the arriving missionaries), Elder Sleater and Elder Symes took home the gold medals. Winners of the poster contest were Sister Dalby and Sister Stephens. Imaginary silver medal winners (and 3-0 in corn hole, Kub, and bocce) were Elder Berg and Elder Bluemel.

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We LOVE these 13 missionaries! They have been outstanding and we feel so grateful to serve side-by-side with them, witness their growth over the last year, and now will cheer them on from the front row as they move ahead with the next big steps in their lives. They are going to do big things!

#WhatsUpInTKM