Ministry Spotlight: Spring 2025
Emerald Youth Prayer Breakfast
You are invited to Emerald Youth’s annual Prayer Breakfast on Friday, May 2, at the Knoxville Expo Center. There’s still room for you to attend as a guest … or better yet … host a table and invite your friends!
Breakfast will be provided by City Catering, and the morning will include music by the Emerald Youth choir, a message from Emerald Youth President & CEO Steve Diggs, stories from young people, and much more. The event is complimentary, and an offering will be taken in support of Emerald Youth's ministry with city young people. Doors open at 6:30 a.m., and the program begins at 7:00 a.m.
Reserve your seat now or learn more about how you can get involved.
Thank you, Presenting Sponsors: First Century Bank, Graham Corporation, Home Federal Bank, McMahan Mechanical, Inc., Tennova Healthcare and WVLT.
Pilot Company CEO Joins Emerald Youth Foundation Board of Trustees
Adam Wright, chief executive officer of Pilot Company, is making a lasting impact in Knoxville as a business leader and dedicated community advocate, including now serving on Emerald Youth Foundation’s board of trustees.
Wright, who began his leadership role with Emerald Youth in January 2025, is deeply passionate about his and Pilot’s role in showing people they matter at every turn.
“Pilot is the great company it is today because of our incredible team members and guests. Our hometown of Knoxville has always been and will continue to be part of Pilot’s journey,” Wright said. “We know when we invest in our communities and lift people up, we’re helping to build a stronger, more vibrant future for everyone here.”
For more than three decades, Emerald Youth Foundation has been serving young people and their families through programs and outcomes based on faith, learning and health. The impact of organizations like Emerald Youth is made possible through strong community partnerships. Companies like Pilot play a critical role in bridging the gap between resources and opportunity, ensuring that young people in Knoxville have access to the tools they need to succeed.
Click here to learn more about Wright and why Emerald Youth’s Steve Diggs is grateful for Pilot fueling investment in Knoxville’s young people.
Summer at Emerald
The arrival of spring means Summer at Emerald is not too far off! What will city children and youth have the opportunity to participate in this summer?
Rising 1st through rising 8th graders will compete “Amazing Race style” for prizes and bragging rights as part of Emerald Youth’s discipleship, learning and recreation summer day camp.
Unique and immersive experiences for rising 9th graders through recent high school grads will include “Passport to Hospitality and Leisure Careers,” “Roots to Results: Growing Careers in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources,” “A Content Creator’s Toolkit,” and much more.
Sports and health offerings for a variety of age groups.
Would you like to learn how you can sign up your child? Check out Summer at Emerald.
Staying Connected and Healthy in Lonsdale
The Emerald Youth Well Lonsdale Neighborhood Group hosted a successful open house and resource fair on March 22. The event provided critical resources, food assistance and recreational activities for families in the community.
Nearly 600 people (children, adults and seniors), gathered at Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex - Lonsdale for afternoon of fun, learning and connecting with one another. It showcased the power of collaboration in addressing community needs and was especially informative for many who were unaware of the resources and opportunities available at Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex.
More than two dozen organizations participated including Cherokee Health Systems, UT Medical Center, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Helen Ross McNabb, Metro Drug Coalition and others.
On the Road with Vine and Fulton
Supporting young people through local public schools one more way Emerald Youth Foundation is dedicated to serving families and the community.
This semester, Emerald Youth provided bus transportation to and from Middle Tennessee for Vine Middle Magnet School’s and Fulton High School’s boys basketball teams as they competed in their respective state tournaments. In February, the Vine Golden Bears won a state title, beating Avery Trace Middle School 36-34. The following month, the Fulton Falcons earned a trip to the tournament, and despite competing hard on the court, lost to Fayette-Ware.
No matter the outcome, it was a honor to hit the road with the teams, and Emerald hopes to head west on I-40 with them next year!
Elementary Camp
Elementary youth kicked off Spring Break by attending their annual weekend camp retreat with Emerald, this year held at Ocoee Ridge Camp in Old Fort, Tennessee.
Youth from across the city - 138 boys and girls - enjoyed outdoor activities, including a human version of “Hungry Hippos,” fun skits, and plenty of delicious meals. The camp theme, “The Greatest Adventure,” focused on Luke 15, and included times of worship and discipleship led by Emerald Youth staff, who reminded the children that God always loves them, no matter what!
Learning about Robots in South Knox
Emerald Youth staff in South Knoxville recently collaborated with South-Doyle High School's (SDHS) robotics team for a "Women in Engineering" workshop and discussion.
It was a day of learning, seeing award-winning robot designs, and hearing from a panel of women engineers from the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering about their academic and career experiences.
Special thanks to SDHS faculty member Kathleen DeVinney and her So-Kno Robo Club for making it possible and opening the robotics area to young ladies providing multiple stations for hands-on, practical projects examining numerous engineering dynamics.
Preparing for Easter
As the season of Lent continues, city young people had the opportunity to participate in Ash Wednesday services, and are preparing for Easter through regular devotional lessons and other worship opportunities.
Emerald Youth staff are reading together, “Emptying: A Lenten Journey,” by Knoxville author and ministry leader Jim Branch.
Will you pray, specifically, for city youth to grow in their faith this Easter season and draw nearer to Christ?
Do you have a heart for helping young people know the Lord? JOIN US this summer!
View our VOLUNTEER opportunities including swim team coaches/learn-to-swim instructors, girls flag football coaches, small group leaders and more!
Check out FULL-TIME and PART-TIME positions including lifeguards, tutors, and other ministry opportunities working directly and indirectly with young people.