Our Story
In 2010, Dotson Memorial, Fairview Methodist, and First Baptist Alcoa worked together to begin a Luke 14 ministry in Blount County and hosted our first fall event that year.
A lot has changed since then, and we have grown!
In 2022, we introduced the first Luke 14 Round Up and in 2023 we hosted our first pool party!
May of 2024, we became an official non-profit, 501c3 private foundation!
Currently, we partner with 4 churches in our community:
East Maryville Baptist Church
Fairview Church
Four Mile Baptist Church
Tuckaleechee Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Alcoa First Methodist Church
These churches support us financially, prayerfully, and enthusiastically as volunteers at our events!
God is blessing our ministry, and we are excited to work towards offering more opportunities to serve our friends in the community who are disabled and their families/caregivers.
Our Team
Since our beginning in 2010, Blount County Luke 14 Ministries has seen remarkable growth. We take pride in our team's expertise and their unwavering commitment to contributing their unique skills and experiences to our collective success.
Christie Bales
Christie and her husband, Craig, have three adult daughters, one of whom has cerebral palsy and is dependent on them for all of her activities of daily living. Christie worked for 14 years at Little Tennessee Valley Educational Cooperative Birth-to Three program, where she provided developmental therapy services to young children, ages birth to three, and their families in a center-based program and in their homes. Additionally, she has served families affected by disabilities through Friends of Tennessee Babies, Joni & Friends disability ministry, Tennessee’s Early Intervention System, developmental preschools, and support groups. Christie has served on boards for LTVEC Birth-to-Three, Volunteer Action Civitan, and the Arc of the Great Smokies, and she has served in a variety of positions in many other organizations serving this population. She has been invited to share her knowledge, personal insight, and life experiences throughout the community; United Way of Blount County, Maryville College, the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Chattanooga, Joni & Friends Knoxville, civic organizations, schools, churches, and businesses.
Jennifer Carpenter
Jennifer is a parent of a child with a disability. Jennifer has a Bachelor's Degree in American Sign Language as well as Master's in Special Education. She is the Transition School to Work Coordinator for Blount County Schools, and their Sign Language Interpreter as needed. In 2021, Jennifer received the STEP Wayne Parker Advocate of the Year Award. Jennifer provides resources and opportunities for families to learn how to better advocate for their families. Jennifer has been a part of planning the Luke 14 events since 2012.
Board President
Board Treasurer
Meagan Carter
Meagan is a former elementary CDC assistant for 3 years, with experience working with people with different abilities and their families, including in-home personal care since 2018. Meagan has also coordinated annual celebrations tailored for individuals with disabilities since 2022 and has over 5 years of experience volunteering with summer camps, growing her passion for recreational and inclusive activities. Meagan and her husband, Collin, have two sons. Currently, she serves as the social media organizer and children’s director at her church.
Board Secretary
Meet The Luke 14 Planning Committee
Courtney Bales
East Maryville Baptist Church
Karen Scarborough
Fairview Church
Sonya Long
RIO Revolution