Our Updated Church History

On November 20, 1989, an official church meeting led to the formation and charter of Community Evangelistic Church (CEC). The formation of CEC resulted in separation from Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church, a transfer of membership, and transfer of ordination credentials for the Pastor. Our founding minister was the Reverend Jarvis J. Ross.

The first service of Community Evangelistic Church was held on November 26, 1989 in the facility of Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church, 3800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee. On November 29, 1989, Community Evangelistic Church moved to the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, 124 South Cruze Street. After holding three consecutive services there, the leadership of the church sensed a need to move on.

The church then moved to the Moses Center, 220 Carrick Street and began to worship there. Their first service at the Moses Center was held on December 24, 1989 and new growth began. During the same time, the church office operated out of the church secretary's home at 3000 Sunset Avenue and regular church activities functioned out of various church members’ homes.

During the time of ministry at the Moses Center, the church labored over its church constitution. The first Elders and Deacons were respectively ordained on March 11, 1990 and September 16, 1990. The Deaconess Board became official (through installation) on Sunday, September 30, 1990 in the morning worship service. The first Sunday School began in the month of May 1990 and the church moved to its temporary office at 2706 East Magnolia Avenue in the month of June 1990.

Growth escalated and Community Evangelistic Church received its first official new members on Sunday, March 4, 1990, and continued to grow to thirty-three new members in their first year (November 26, 1989 - November 11, 1990.). On November 11-17, 1990, the First Annual, “Accountability” Conference was successfully held and well attended. During the conference the church focused on the theme, "Discipleship: Building Up The Whole Man."

On Sunday, July 21, 1991, Community Evangelistic Church held its first worship service in the auditorium of Austin East High School, 2800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. The move at that time proved to be very profitable as worship attendance increased by more than thirty percent (30%) and the spiritual atmosphere became conducive for a constant flow of new members. The church celebrated its Second Annual Anniversary on November 17, 1991. March became "Accountability" Conference month.

While worshipping at the Moses Center and Austin East High School, the church made a decision to purchase 22. 4 acres of land located on Boyds Bridge Pike. That prayerful decision began with a series of negotiations with the Howell's of Howell Nurseries and Prudential Sherbakoff Realty in September of 1990. Then after extensive research and church meetings, Community Evangelistic Church closed contract by owner financing the land in the month of July 1991.

The second year of Community Evangelistic Church ended and their third year began with the Third Annual "Accountability" Conference. (By this time the church had added ninety-four new members to its roll.) The theme of the second conference was "The Christian Family: Putting On The Whole Armor Of God." Focus centered on family life and the conference led to the First Annual Leaders Retreat in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on March 1992. After the leaders retreat, "qualified" trained leadership ministry developed and a School of Ministry began. The leaders of the church then organized all major areas of ministry.

After going through constant criticism for departing from a mainline historical church and being labeled unorthodox, CEC began to establish itself as a "middle of the road" evangelical church. With a determination to prove itself as an established church through the acquisition of facilities, CEC liquidated the debt on their land and began the first phase of their building project. Through constant meetings with the Elders and Deacons, Christian Builders, Inc. of Brentwood, Tennessee became the contractor for building the Family Life Center. The elders and deacons then initiated an intense stewardship program ("The Tabernacle Project') on June 14, 1992 to fund the project.

On September 20, 1992, CEC broke ground for its new building. The groundbreaking effort was a total act of faith and the church burned the land mortgage papers during the service.

In order to re-ignite interest in the building project, Pastor Ross began a year long series of messages entitled "The Road Back Home." "The Road Back Home" was intended to point out a need for building lives and new facilities because of inner city conditions.

Community Evangelistic Church then took a new course of action in their first phase building project in June 1993 and adjusted to a less expensive modular building. Negotiations also began with William Gray who occupied the only house located in the midst of the church's property at 2650 Boyds Bridge Pike. The elders and deacons agreed on the cost of the house and the total project and then First Tennessee Bank of Knoxville, Tennessee agreed to finance the project. Grading, paving and site work for construction of the multi-purpose worship facility began in August of 1993.

Community Evangelistic Church continued to experience problems with the completion of their new project. Because of contractor delays and inclement weather, CEC worshipped in their church tent for five consecutive Sundays (November 21-December 19, 1993). That experience led to the concept of "desert baby." The term "desert baby" meant that if you "hung in there" with the ministry through the bad times, a stronger faith was born out of adversity. Through bad weather, trying times, difficulties, and delay after delay, November 21, 1993 became a monumental time in the history of CEC as they dedicated their first two buildings. On December 26, 1993, CEC held it's first morning worship service in their new facility.

During the next few years' (1995-1997) other urban contemporary ministries developed such as dance teams and gospel rap groups. Then Pastor Ross, staff, and some single ministry representatives took a short-term mission trip to South Africa in August of 1997. They took this trip with members of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. There in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, they were touched with the hardships of the poor living in shantytowns. Their hearts were forever changed and when they returned to the States, they immediately began urban outreach ministry to Walter P. Taylor Public Housing Projects.

Community and church dance celebrations also developed as a means of reaching the urban community in a culturally relevant way. All these things were done without changing the standard of the gospel, but focused on a flexible approach for reaching people based on I Corinthians 9:19-23. Urban discipleship became a vital aspect of church life and ministry and church attendance began to increase to overflowing. The church added an eight (8) o’clock service to accommodate the growth. Also, two walls in the multi-purpose building were taken down, and in September of 1997, the church received two additional modular buildings (donations) from two prominent Knoxville businesses.

On February 8, 1998 at 6:00 p.m., Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church held a fundraiser banquet on behalf of Community Evangelistic Church in order to communicate their needs so that others could help. Because of that effort, Community Evangelistic Church exceeded their financial goal. The goal that they attained encouraged another stewardship program. Additional funds then became available as CEC and Home Federal Bank entered a contract for the completion of the total project. Site work, rough grading, and preparation for utilities began in August of 1998. The pouring of the footers and foundation of the Family Life Center began in January of 1999.

Before the completion of construction (Sunday, June 6, 1999), the church experienced a very significant worship service and special visitation of the presence of the Lord. It was the most profound spiritual worship experience in the history of CEC. The church worshipped the Lord in a very reverent biblical way by taking off their shoes, bowing and prostrating themselves before the Lord in the spirit of humility. There was a sense of God confirming the "blessings" of the church and its direction in ministry. Then on Saturday, June 19, 1999, the Fifth Annual Leaders Retreat convened on the land in cookout fashion. As the leadership of the church prepared for an influx of diverse ethnic groups and Christians with differing philosophies about the Christian life, the theme of the retreat focused on the Wesleyan creed: "In Essentials Unity; In Non-Essentials Liberty; In All Things Charity."

August 1, 1999, was set aside as a "Solemn Assembly" for the dedication of CEC's Christian Community Family Life Center. That day marked a new era in the ministry of Community Evangelistic Church. The event of dedication had been preceded (over the previous year) by extensive intensive reorganization of the church.

On Friday, August 4, 2000, CEC celebrated their first year of occupying the Christian Community Family Life Center. The theme for this event was “A Decade of Deliverance: Desert Babies out of the Wilderness.” CEC promoted joy and freedom through a diversity of entertainment and activities. CEC attained a higher level of social and cultural freedom that allowed them to express Christ in other neutral areas of cultural such as dances. The operative word for the ministry became “alternative.” CEC now gives Christians and non-Christians a better option than what negative sinful environments in the world offers.

The first year of occupancy in the Family Life Center was active and busy. The building was well used day and night, each day of the week. New urban outreach ministries developed such as the Interchangeable Intramural Basketball League. This league gave young men with idle time an opportunity to recreate and showcase their talents in a safe Christian environment. The results were commitments to Christ and new active members in the church. CEC also realized that God had given them a platform to address community concerns and opportunities to facilitate and foster change in the community. The results were the facilities at CEC began to be used by diverse social organizations and other churches. CEC also held their first annual Black Bargain Business Bazaar, (which became the Urban Business Expo), and a fashion extravaganza. The health care ministry also took off and through partnerships provided health care intervention. The culminating event was CEC’s partnership with Knoxville Leadership Foundation. CEC is now proud to have been a part of the visionary success of “Community Place” – a mixed income housing subdivision – located adjacent to their property.

In order to establish “etched in stone” standards for the church, Pastor Ross began a series of messages entitled, “Raising the Standard.” Pastor Ross shared nine (9) biblical standards that have been placed on banners and now decorate and hang on the walls of the Family Life Center. These banners constantly remind everyone who enters the building about CEC’s commitment and walk with Christ. Beginning November 5, 2000 at 6:00 p.m., CEC celebrated their 11th Annual Anniversary with the theme “Real Ministry, Real People, Reaching those in Need in a Culturally Relevant Way” (I Corinthians 9: 22-23).

After two years (1999-2001) of worship and ministry in the Family Life Center, growth seemed to halt. Pastor Ross began an intense ministry effort that included four goals to address the spiritual stagnation. Nevertheless, they failed to reach their goals by the target date. Pastor Ross sensed a need for higher standards and accountability for the men of the church as an answer to the problem and began a series of messages that strongly admonished men. He stated that he believed God’s answer to stimulate spiritual growth and bring the church to higher standards and accountability was to bring women into leadership with the men and connect and unite with a denomination similar to CEC — a denomination that is balanced between tradition and non-tradition. On Tuesday, August 28th, 2001, the elders of the church voted seven (7) in favor, four (4) opposed to receive women as elders and deacons, and merged the deaconess board with the deacons. The deacons then by common consensus agreed to refer to men and women as deacons.

Pastor Ross began talking to members of the Presbyterian Church America, (PCA) about the idea of joining them. Then in February of 2001, their racially reconciled partner church (Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church) left the PCA and joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). It was all prophetic and providential to Pastor Ross because when CEC entered their new facilities (August, 1999), they unknowingly adopted the slogan of the EPC (“In Essentials Unity; In Non-Essentials Liberty; In All things Charity.”) Pastor Ross became very impressed with the EPC because of its form of government and reformed faith that they had already started acclimating to. He was also moved by the EPC’s balance between tradition and non-tradition. So, in May of 2001, Pastor Ross began talking to the elders and congregation about the possibility of joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The church then received vital information about the EPC and was given four months to review the materials.

On Tuesday, September 18th, 2001, the elders of Community Evangelistic Church voted eight (8) for, none (0) opposed, and three (3) abstained to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. On Sunday, October 21st, 2001, the congregation voted in favor by 93% to join the EPC. Then the Presbytery of the Southeast began the process for CEC’s reception into the EPC.

The officers (elders and deacons) were trained by officers of the Southeast Presbytery between the months of November through January, and on February 12th, 2002, they were examined and passed. The reception of CEC was preceded by Pastor Ross qualifying and being received as a Minister of the Word through the Southeast Presbytery. After a series of trials and errors, on April 23rd, 2002, Pastor Ross passed all parts of the written examination. Then on Friday, May 3rd, 2002, (in Highlands, NC at Community Bible Church) he passed the oral examination given by the ministerial committee of the Southeast Presbytery. After a series of questions on the floor of the Southeast Presbytery, he was voted in as a Minister of the Word (Teaching Elder).

Sunday, June 9th, 2002, a monumental service marked a new beginning in the worship and ministry of CEC. Pastor Ross was installed, the Elders and Deacons were ordained and installed. CEC was formally received as a particular church of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

On October 10th, 2004 Pastor Jarvis J. Ross preached his last sermon at Community Evangelistic Evangelical Presbyterian Church (CEEPC). It was his, “Farewell Message.” Many were sad to see him leave but he felt led by the Lord to move on and become a church planter.

During the next few years (2004-2009), the Lord supplied ministers of the Word to preach to the congregation. The leaders and congregation eventually settled on three ministers to feed the congregation and keep the local body united. These ministers were Reginald (Reggie) Strong, Calvin (Buddy) Sexton and Derick Wakefield (Freedom Fellowship Christian Church).

On January 4th, 2009 Rev. Mark A. Swain was installed as Senior Pastor. Due to circumstances beyond our control, he only served in that capacity for less than a year. Pastor Mark Swain preached his last sermon at CEEPC on October 4th, 2009. Elder Reginald Strong soon thereafter became CEEPC’s Commissioned Pastor. March 13th, 2016, Reginald Strong was installed as the Senior Pastor.

Under Reginald’s Strong leadership, the following outreach ministries began. “Church on the Road” was established May 13th, 2010. It is a ministry of church volunteers that literally go to people in their homes. They also go to nursing homes, to hospitals and community centers, etc. to conduct church services. This mobile church goes wherever it is needed or requested.

CEEPC partners with the “Knoxville Area Rescue Mission” on a monthly basis. This outreach plays a vital role in bringing the Word of God and fellowship to the residents and transients of K.A.R.M. Many homeless and hurting people are seeking to get a fresh start on life.

The Ministry of “Zumba”, has changed the lives of many individuals for the best. This outreach has helped men and women become healthy and physically fit. This ministry is a blessing and also a vital service to our community.

In the Spring of 2016, a “Community Garden” became a reality and has helped to provide vegetables to church members as well as the community.

“God’s Closet and Emergency Food Pantry” began in the Summer of 2017. This ministry provides free clothing, shoes, household products, personal supplies, food, and other items to the community.

With the help of the congregation and dedicated saints, the above ministries have become a reality. CEEPC’s journey will continue as God helps and sustain us to do His will. God has given us His blessing and with His grace, we will stay faithful to His “mission”. We will continue to reach out to the lost, to the hungry and to the hurting in the community and beyond.