Compassion Coalition exists to connect churches in Knoxville and help them serve those in need through various programs, events, and resources. Their mission is to transform lives and communities through the love of Christ by informing, equipping, and connecting churches. They provide training programs, host community luncheons, and publish a guidebook detailing local agencies to facilitate churches serving their community.

1. Our Vision
Compassion Coalition walks with Knoxville-area
congregations as we respond to the cry of the
suffering, the broken, and the abandoned both
within our churches and in the community.
We believe transformation occurs when
churches prayerfully support and serve existing
ministries of compassion and justice as well as
create new ministries when God leads us to serve
unmet needs in our community.
We envision Knoxville as a place where
Christians from many denominations work
together to love our neighbor as a natural out
come of loving God.
Knoxville Marriage
Initiative
Designed to strengthen marriages and prevent
divorce through a network of church and
community organizations where people can
discover how to grow and protect a lifelong,
strong marriage.
About Us
Compassion Coalition is a 501(c)(3) faith-based
non-profit organization that began in 2002.
We are thrilled to see more than 87 churches
of different denominations all over Knoxville
participating in various coalition activities. In
addition, a diverse mix of government agencies,
non-profit organizations, and individual believ-
ers also collaborate with our ministry to work
on a shared purpose: the well-being of our city.
We employ four full-time and one part-time
staff members. Our Board of Directors is made
up of pastors and business people who help
guide our efforts to transform our community.
To learn more about any of our upcoming
events or luncheons, send an email to
Charmin@compassioncoalition.org
Compassion Coalition
THE REGAS BUILDING
318 N. Gay Street, Suite 207, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865.251.1591 Fax: 865.588.2876
Email: info@compassioncoalition.org
www.compassioncoalition.org
@CompassionKnox
...................
Compassion Coalition exists to
inform, equip, and connect
churches to transform lives and
communities through the
love of Christ
OUR MISSION:
CompassionCoalition
For more information visit our website:

2. Future Story Project
The Future Story Project is an exciting initiative
made possible through a grant from the Trinity
Health Foundation. In partnership with churches,
non-profits, and a government agency, Bridges Out
of Poverty training and Getting Ahead in a Just-
Gettin-By World classes will be implemented across
the city. Individuals who live for years in a day-to-
day struggle to just get by, lose vision for their lives
and hope for their future: they lose their future
story. The goal is to equip our partners with tools to
help people re-discover their future story.
Bridges Out of Poverty workshops help those who
work with the poor understand why certain deci-
sions are made and recognize patterns that exist in
poverty, middle class, and wealth.
Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin-By World is a 16-
session class for people in poverty designed to
transform the way they think about their economic
opportunities and help make life changes.
Workshops
Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) offers participants
a glimpse into the real lives of low-income
individuals and families: the obstacles, decisions, and
consequences that impact them–including the role
the community plays and how policies and systems
help or hinder the progress of those in poverty.
Frontline Training is a series of four workshops that
teach church staff and volunteers how to respond to
requests from people seeking assistance:
Frontline I: Taking Calls for Assistance
Frontline II: Building a Strong Benevolence Team
Frontline III: Understanding Community Resources
Frontlline IV: Mentoring & Relationship Building
Connection Point
Connection Point is a Knox County call center
for individuals and families in need. Requests are
reviewed and verified by Compassion Coalition
volunteers from area
churches who then make
referrals to appropriate
organizations, agencies,
and churches in our
community that may
be able to assist. The
Connection Point is also a resource for churches and
organizations working with individuals in need.
Mentor Teams
Circles of Support is a faith-based mentoring program;
teams of four to six people are trained and matched
with individuals in need of a nurturing community,
referred by one of our partner agencies; the team
provide support as their new friend becomes self-
sufficient.
Salt & Light Guidebook
Salt & Light: A guide
to loving Knoxville is a
444-page reference that
details many agencies and
ministries that serve our
community. Included are
guidelines for effective
service, and glimpses of lives that have been disrupted
and restored. The 4th edition of the guide has
gone digital and is available on our website: www.
compassioncoalition.org.
Weekly Email
Bulletin Board, our weekly email, connects the body
of Christ to opportunities to serve. In addition to
opportunities to help with specific needs and to
volunteer with local organizations, we announce
workshops that equip you to make a difference in
the areas you are called to serve. To receive Bulletin
Board, send a request to info@compassioncoalition.
org.
Community Luncheons
Salt & Light Luncheons are held quarterly and feature
authors, professionals,
and community and
church leaders. Each
topic is of interest to
the body of Christ,
such as homelessness,
poverty, addiction,
refugees, and the family. Luncheons are open to the
public and are an opportunity to build relationships
with others interested in compassionate outreach.
In our mission to transform lives through
the love of Christ, we strive to connect and
serve Knoxville through various paths of com-
munity involvement:
First Getting Ahead graduating class
To find out how you or your church can get
involved in this ground-breaking initiative,
contact Jessica Bocángel at 251.1591 x8 or
jessica@compassioncoalition.org.