What is the Compassion Coalition?
We are a growing body of Christians who represent   more than fifteen denominations throughout greater Knoxville, Tennessee. Our Coalition includes lay people, compassion ministry directors, pastors, business people, non-profit staff and community service providers. Our mission is to mobilize Knoxville-area churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. Specifically, our niche is to come along side churches who desire to minister outside the four walls of their church building to the broken, abandoned, and suffering in our community. We equip, mobilize and network churches who desire long-term involvement with holistic (word and deed) ministries of compassion and justice.

How does a church get started?
Come to a monthly meeting and meet us personally. We invite you to attend our monthly meetings until you are comfortable with the vision and leadership. For pastors, the next step would be to register your church for one of our seminars or courses. The Compassion Ministry Leadership Team – Level One training is an introductory course designed to give churches an introduction to the big ideas associated with developing or supporting effective compassion ministries.  This course also allows your church to be formally introduced to an entire network of compassion ministry leaders who are silently working together every week in our community.

When and where are your meetings?
Compassion Coalition hosts monthly meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at Fellowship Church (8000 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN) from 11:30am-1pm.

Is Compassion Coalition related to Compassion International?
No, Compassion Coalition was initiated in Knoxville by compassion ministry leaders from four Knoxville churches in April 2000 and became established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit ministry in April, 2002.  Click here to see History.

What is a compassion director?
A Compassion Director is the team leader of a Compassion Ministry Leadership Team. Knoxville has a growing network of Compassion Directors who are connected via Knoxville’s Compassion Directors Network. These directors hold regular meetings to encourage each other for long term effective outreach. To communicate with the director of our Compassion Director Network click here.

What is a Compassion Ministry Leadership Team?
This is a team of three to five people from your church who serve as catalysts for the implementation of compassion ministries in your church body. This group must have visionary tendencies, love to see others do ministry, and be firmly committed to revealing God’s heart to the exploited and excluded in our community. Once trained, this team is responsible for working with senior church leaders to build a strong foundation for compassionate community outreach from your church.

How are you funded and where are your offices?
Compassion Coalition is supported by private donors, grants, and local churches. Click here to see our current fiscal plan. Our offices are located at 1450 Dowell springs Blvd., Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37909.  You may contact us at info@compassioncoalition.org or by phone (865)588-2875 ext 4.

What churches are involved?
Over 120 churches and 15 denominations have been represented at our monthly meetings.  Click here for a list of participating churches.

Is there a membership fee?
We do not have a formal membership nor a fee.