Jesus Is Life
Jesus Is Life
This past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. As we look back, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and the ways He is actively moving through the people and ministries of Foothills Church.
Throughout 2025, God continued to bring new people to FC. As our attendance grew, so did our staff, allowing us to take meaningful steps forward as a church. We added a third Sunday worship experience at our Maryville location, launched a college ministry, and welcomed nine new staff members, including a new Knoxville Location Pastor.
God used FC to impact people at every stage of life. More than 280 individuals publicly declared their faith in Jesus through baptism. Thousands gathered with us for Easter and A Foothills Christmas to celebrate the hope of the Gospel. Men and women deepened their faith and built meaningful relationships at our Men’s Retreat and Ladies’ Night. Students and children encountered Jesus at The Wave, Summer Jam, Kids Camp, and Jingle Jam. We also hosted special events such as the Shroud of Turin Exhibit, which offered a powerful and unique opportunity to experience the reality of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, and welcomed many who may never have otherwise walked through our doors.
Beyond our walls, Foothills Church continued to live out the call to love and serve our neighbors. Our Counseling Center experienced record-breaking numbers of counseling hours and support group participation, bringing hope and healing to individuals and families throughout our community. Thousands of volunteer hours were given through Let’s Go service projects. Because of your generosity, local families were supported through Pack the Bus, pajama donations, and our annual food drive. Hundreds of children received Christmas gifts locally and around the world through Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child. We also had the privilege of sending teams on Global Trips to Guatemala and Kenya, partnering with God in His work across the globe.
When we reflect on all that God has done, one truth stands out clearly: none of this happened by accident. It is the result of God’s grace and a church family willing to say yes to His mission. Your faithfulness, generosity, prayers, and service are the reason these stories became reality.
As we celebrate what God has done, let’s look ahead with great expectation to all that He will continue to do in and through the people of Foothills Church.
For His Glory,
Dr. Trent Stewart
Lead Pastor
Year In Review
Year In Review
Guest Experience
Guest Experience
2025 has been a powerful year at FC, not just because of what we’ve accomplished, but because of who we’ve pointed people to. Jesus is life.
Every Sunday, our heart has been simple: remove distractions, create space, and help people encounter Jesus in a real and personal way. From the moment someone turns into our parking lot to the moment they leave the building, our prayer is that they feel seen, welcomed, and invited into life with Christ.
That’s why we’re incredibly thankful for our Guest Experience volunteers. So much of the impact you make happens quietly and often goes unnoticed, but we continue to hear story after story of life change that began with something as simple as a warm smile, a held door, a friendly conversation, or someone saying, “We’re glad you’re here.” God uses those moments in powerful ways.
As we look ahead, we’re excited and expectant for how God will continue to work in this new year.
Guest Experience
“Serving on the Guest Experience team on Sundays matters to me because first impressions shape so much of what follows. For many people, walking into church can feel intimidating or heavy, especially based on past experiences. A smile, a kind word, a held door, or simply noticing someone can lower those walls instantly. I love being part of that moment.”
– Alex Willard
Journey
Journey
In 2025, we were encouraged by the growing number of people taking intentional steps toward spiritual maturity at Foothills Church. Throughout the Journey, we saw people actively responding to the gospel, connecting to the ministry they were made for, and being equipped for the mission of discipleship.
Each step of the Journey continues to serve as a meaningful pathway for spiritual growth and equipping. It’s clear that God is at work among us, and together we are taking our best next steps.
Journey
“The curriculum was engaging and well thought out. I enjoyed learning about the different pathways to engaging with God. I found the DESIGN framework helpful to examine our areas of potential ministry from multiple angles and have referenced the workbook several times since. The icing on the cake was the 1-on-1 guiding that helped me synthesize the various assessments. All in all, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to my next steps!”
– Recent Camp II Attendee
Counseling
Counseling
In 2025, we were blessed with the ability to move into our new Biblical Counseling Center, designed specifically with the vision of the counseling needs in mind. This new space significantly expanded our capacity to meet the counseling needs of the church and the community, resulting in nearly 300% growth compared to the previous year! We saw lives changed, marriages restored, people coming to know Christ, and healing through clinically informed care. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity, and for the individuals who have made this ministry possible. Your continued support fuels our efforts to love and care for the people of FC and the community in a whole new way!
Counseling
“It was a huge blessing to receive counseling at The Biblical Counseling Center. The counselors genuinely care, listen, and give biblical advice and always point you to Jesus in the most loving and careful way!”
– Anonymous
Knoxville
Knoxville
Over the past year, God has been powerfully at work in our Knoxville location as people have stepped into generosity, service, leadership, and ownership of our vision as a church. Families are finding a place to belong, kids are filling our spaces, and most importantly, individuals are taking meaningful, life-changing next steps in their faith. With the addition of Pastor Cam to lead the Knoxville location, we are expectant and confident that God will continue to build something strong and impactful through his leadership and the faithfulness of the people who call Knoxville home.
Knoxville
“I love that FC Knoxville has been a community of growth and positivity from the first service I attended! Within my first year of partnership with FC, I have been able to join a small group of people who help me grow in my faith, and have been able to disciple our young children in the church through service. The emphasis of service, connection, and community at FC and in the Knoxville location is evident the moment you step in the door and is the reason I come back every week wanting more!”
– Chloe Bannerman
Outreach
Outreach
In Matthew 25, Jesus lists needs: I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison… The response: provide food, give a drink, welcome them, clothe them, visit them, go to them. The opportunity in our community is great and your response has honored Jesus. Last year through our local outreach partnerships and your dedication, we made a lasting and powerful impact. We provided meals, supported schools and educators, loved on children and families, and showed our community the love of Jesus.
Outreach
“Supporting the Angel Tree ministry is deeply meaningful to me. As the wife of a retired law enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak children experience when a family member is incarcerated. These gifts share the love of Christ and offer hope, joy, and lasting positive memories during the holidays.”
– Nancy Ward
Music
Music
In 2025, the music team witnessed God’s faithfulness through his abundant provision of new volunteers, new staff members, and new systems that enhanced our worship experience. We hired 4 new staff members between both locations, created a brand new training and audition process called “Behind The Scenes,” developed & recorded original worship videos for our kids worship experience, released 2 original worship songs, and taught a brand new summer Bible study focused on the theology of worship. These accomplishments (and so much more) were achieved while trusting God to lead us in leading, planning & executing over 100 services and events between our student ministry and both locations.
Music
“Being part of the music ministry at Foothills Church has had a HUGE impact on my life. One of the most impactful components is how it shows me a clear picture of how we come to God just as we are, but at the same time having the expectation that we bring the best we’ve got to Him. In my walk as a Christian musician, it’s been rare to be in a situation where we’re operating on such a professional level yet still in the context of a loving family where I feel like I’m in the middle of God’s ministry and being ministered to at the same time. I love Pastor Collin and his staff’s leadership and heart for ministry, and I look forward to continuing serving under them this year. I love the direction our music ministry and our church is going and I think 2026 is going to be an incredible year for God’s kingdom in the East Tennessee area.”
– Terry Buchanan
Production
Production
In 2025, our Production Team grew in meaningful ways. We added more than 10 new volunteers and expanded to support three weekly services, with volunteers serving across all services on Sundays to ensure a seamless and excellent experience. We delivered standout stage build-outs for major events, including Summer Jam, where we built a spaceship on stage, and Jingle Jam, where we transformed the room into an old radio studio. These environments helped create immersive moments where people could experience the Gospel in creative and engaging ways. We continued producing Nights of Worship alongside the creative and music teams, and we returned to the beach for FC Students camp, The Wave. Our team loaded in full production to Panama City Beach to help create an unforgettable week for our students.
Production
“Serving on the production team has been a great outlet for me to learn and grow. I have also been able to grow closer to God through serving. Having a place where I can use the talents that God has given me has been so easy at FC.”
– Rachel Tankersley
Creative
Creative
This year, our Creative Team saw significant growth as new volunteers stepped in and existing team members took on greater leadership, especially among students discovering a passion for photography, video, and social media. Through story videos, Sunday services, and consistent online content, we helped create a digital front door that connected people to Foothills Church and encouraged many to take meaningful next steps like baptism, serving, and joining groups. It’s been incredibly encouraging to see creativity used not just to make things look good, but to tell real stories of life change and point people toward Jesus.
Creative
“Being part of the creative team has been such a blessing. I’ve gained lasting friendships and a deeper love for sharing how others love the Lord. Serving at FC has truly grown my faith and encouraged my heart.”
– Madi Flanagan
Small Groups
Small Groups
As we continue to lean into the truth that discipleship happens best in relationships, it’s been exciting to see God’s hand at work in our small groups throughout 2025. From new leaders stepping up, to new groups forming, to individuals being connected and serving our community, we are seeing God move in powerful ways. There truly is something special about doing life together around the Word of God with the purpose of discipleship and spiritual growth, and we praise God for the year He has given us at Foothills Church.
Small Groups
“Every meaningful step that I have taken to draw nearer to christ has come from encouragement and accountability from my small group, as we walk through faith and life together”
FC Kids
FC Kids
This year was full of life and momentum in FC Kids. We joyfully celebrated children taking steps of faith through baptism and loved returning to kids camp for the first time in five years. Weekly attendance continued to grow as we welcomed a record number of first-time kids and families. From our largest Jingle Jam ever to Easter Family Fun Nights, each milestone reflected God’s faithfulness and the excitement of a growing, connected FC Kids community.
FC Kids
“A core value of our church is that the next generation matters. Each week we have an opportunity to impress on them who Jesus is and that His word is trustworthy. Serving in the kid’s ministry these last few years has been a tremendous blessing watching many of these kids grow in the Lord and see them light up when they feel like they matter to the Creator of the universe and our church community at FC. Discipling these boys and girls week over week with the team and sharing the word with them encourages me and my walk while also reminding me of the child-like faith Jesus talks about in Matthew 19.”
– Andrew Bolton
FC Students
FC Students
In 2025, we saw students experience real life change as they encountered Jesus, took steps of faith, and grew deeper in community. Each week, hundreds of students gathered at Midweek services and small groups, building meaningful relationships and discovering what it means to follow Jesus. Through powerful moments at The Wave Beach Camp, intentional discipleship, and an expanding team committed to investing in the next generation, God continued to move in remarkable ways. We’re grateful for all He has done and excited for what’s ahead.
FC Students
“Teenagers are some of the most extraordinary people to be around. They are incredibly funny, deeply insightful, and often the most honest voices you’ll hear. As they grow and change rapidly, many are carrying big emotions and unthinkable circumstances. While we can’t prevent distress in their lives, we can point them to Jesus, prayer, and community. In small groups, students find encouragement, strength, and hope in Jesus and one another. What a blessing it is to serve students in FC Students!”
– Gretchen McCabe
FC College
FC College
There is something happening in the lives of 18-24 year olds around the world. God is stirring the hearts of college aged students for His glory and renown to echo around the world. In 2025, we had the joy of “launching” our college ministry. This wasn’t some grand spectacle, but instead we wanted all those 18-24 year-olds that call Foothills Church home to have an identity and a place to gather. This year we launched small groups, rebranded FC College, and started praying big prayers asking God to do more than we can ask or imagine in and through college-aged students in 2026!
FC College
“I spent the first year of college searching for somewhere to belong and to pour into, but I felt like Knoxville was missing the type of ministry I was looking for. FC College has given me a place to grow in my faith around others on mission for Christ, and it has truly been something that I can invite others from UTK to join and see them find peace in small groups.”
– Emma Breedlove
Financial Data
Financial Data
2025 Income
Tithes & Offering $4,483,835
Vision Offering $848,360
Total: $5,332,195
2025 Expenses
Personnel $2,397,781
Operations $589,238
Development & $292,211
Next Gen
Debt Service $960,834
Programming $325,703
Knoxville $312,277
Guest Experience $206,140
Outreach & $141,213
Counseling
Total: $5,225,397
- 46% Personnel $2,397,781
- 11% Operations $589,238
- 6% Development & Next Gen $292,211
- 18% Debt Service $960,834
- 6% Programming $325,703
- 6% Knoxville $312,277
- 3% Guest Experience $206,140
- 3% Outreach & Counseling $141,213
- Total - $5,225,397