History
A few years ago, a small group of friends had an idea.
On May 15th, 2007, a group of friends met together in an apartment living room to eat pizza and talk about the possibility of forming a new church in Chattanooga. The group decided it was time to stop just reflecting and wishing what a local church would look like; it was time to make something happen.
The initial burst of excitement and energy that started that night didn’t last long. Over the next few months, the group struggled to bring together and codify various ideas and visions. They ran into obstacle after obstacle including finding a space to have Sunday services, opening a bank account, and raising funds.
Just after Thanksgiving 2007, it was not certain that Embrace Church was going to become a reality. All the momentum had disappeared and the excitement had become frustration. Then one night, everything changed. The group came together for a business meeting at the Calvary Church in East Ridge. After the meeting was over, they moved into the church’s choir practice room, put on some worship music, and prayed together. On their faces, on their knees – they prayed and asked God to bring them together and make this idea happen.
After that night, the wind was at their backs. A door was opened for a place to meet. Money and support started rolling in. The excitement was restored, and a church was coming alive. Starting in January 2008, the group met for Thursday night services in the fellowship hall of the White Oak United Methodist Church in Red Bank. Finally, on March 16th, 2008, the group held their first Sunday morning service open to the community at Loose Cannon Arts & Events. In April 2010, Embrace relocated to The Mill of Chattanooga.
Over the past 4 years, Embrace has experienced all the ups and downs of church life: empty Sunday services and packed houses, new members joining, people leaving for other churches or cities, debts and surpluses, successes and failures, victories and defeat. But at the end of the day, it’s been an incredible journey. The vast majority of the people who have become a part of Embrace since 2008 have not come from other churches. The vibe and energy of the church is amazing. Ask those who come and they’ll tell you – coming to Embrace isn’t just attending a service. It’s a feeling that you are a part of something special and significant, something that can’t always be explained or described, something that matters, something beyond ourselves.
Leadership Team
Please note that Embrace Church is currently in a time of transition between lead pastors. This role is currently being filled by several other leaders in the church.
Adam Bolin – Worship Pastor & Creative Arts
Mary Christa Jaramillo-Bolin – Creative Arts, Media, Lighting, and Production
Johnny and Lindy Case – Finance, Accounting, and Records
Leah Leleaux and Jessica Carlisle – Hospitality
The Band: Adam Bolin, Josh Carlisle, and Danny Wade
