Ministry Spotlight: December 2025
EMERALD YOUTH CHRISTMAS STORE
Every December, our Christmas Store becomes a hope-filled space for families across Knoxville. Parents are able to shop for Christmas gifts at a deeply discounted rate, choosing items with dignity and love.
“It’s an honor to play even a small role in something that is creating such a powerful impact in the lives of so many others,” said Becca Hughes, program events and worship arts ministry coordinator.
Parents shopping with joy and volunteers serving with wide-open hearts is just another reminder of why our team at Emerald loves serving families in our city. Moments like these are small, but they add up to something beautiful … especially on Christmas morning!
On this Giving Tuesday, there is still time to serve families across our city — help “stock the store” by shopping for a gift(s) or making a donation:
Special thanks to Christmas Store sponsors this year including the Charlie & Moll Anderson Family Foundation, Altar’d State, Kent & Stacey Bristow, Sara Culvahouse, Ann Marie Tugwell, Engel & Völkers, and Retirement Planning Services.
THE SEASON OF SERVING
Young people from Emerald took on a unique leadership role fall. Several high schoolers and young adults worked with the Knox County Election Commission on election night at the City-County Building. For many, it was their first experience in civic engagement at this level, helping to make a smooth and successful evening of election returns. They did a fantastic job!
One of our favorite days each year is Principal for a Day, when leaders from across Knoxville get a front-row seat to the joy and hard work that happens daily in schools across Knox County. This year’s event was held on November 18, and several Emerald Youth staff members served as “principals” at local schools including Sarah Moore Green Magnet Academy, West View Elementary, Powell Middle, and others.
And during the days leading up to Thanksgiving, it was special to see so many faithful volunteers, community organizations, and companies serve city young people through “Friendsgiving” events and a fun “Trunks-giving” event in East Knoxville at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Opportunities to serve and engage throughout the community matter. When Knoxville shows up for young people, and when young people show up for Knoxville, our community grows stronger in every direction!
A CITY LIFTED IN WORSHIP
If you were at our Legacy Dinner this fall, you probably remember the moment the room fell completely silent as Emerald young person Samaj hit his first note singing, “That’s My King.” His solo with the Emerald Youth Choir was one of those rare, holy moments that takes your breath away.
To be so young and so gifted with such a heart for worship is something that we thank God immensely for as we see the fruits of His presence in the lives of young people.
If you missed it, watch Samaj’s solo below, and you can also see the entire event.
Beyond that night, worship across Emerald Youth continues to be rich and meaningful. The Emerald Youth Choir, and our Gospel Choir, provide a space for young singers to grow not just musically but spiritually, learning how to use their gifts to encourage others. In athletics, teams pray together, laugh together, and are a space where young people express their faith on and off the court and field.
A major highlight this fall was our Citywide Worship Night, where young people from multiple neighborhoods gathered to sing, pray and worship as one family. In a year full of noise, these moments of shared praise remind us of God’s continued goodness throughout the heart of Knoxville.
Emerald Youth Choir highlight, “That’s My King”
SPORTS AND MORE
Emerald Youth Sports has been buzzing with energy this fall. Wrestlers kicked off their season with determination, practicing hard, cheering one another on and learning that strength is as much about character as it is about technique.
Girls’ volleyball and soccer wrapped up fantastic seasons filled with teamwork, growth and new friendships. Coaches celebrated players not only for wins, but most importantly, for valuing Christ-like attitudes and resilience, even on the tough days.
We also celebrated the launch of our Emerald Youth golf program, opening doors for young people to learn a sport that teaches patience, focus and confidence. It has already become a special place for one-on-one mentoring and even surprising natural talent.
And while the temperatures dropped, the pool stayed warm as after-school swim lessons continued strong, giving students the chance to build lifelong safety skills and gain confidence in the water.
Every moment in these programs, from the first practice to the last game, is fueled by friends like you who believe every child deserves a full and abundant life … the kind of life Jesus shared about in John 10:10. Thank you for helping young athletes grow in strength, discipline and joy.
LEAVE A LEGACY OF FAITH AND LEADERSHIP
We are excited to launch new planned giving opportunities that allow you to impact young people in Knoxville for generations to come.
Planned gifts help ensure that ministry, mentoring and academic support will remain available to future young people long after the moment of the gift itself.
As the end-of-year draws near, an IRA Charitable Rollover may be one option to consider. If you are 70-and-a-half or older, you may be interested in a way to lower the income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals. Some benefits of an IRA Charitable Rollover include:
Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $108,000 from your IRA to Emerald Youth Foundation
Satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year
Reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions
Make a gift that is not subject to the deduction limits on charitable gifts
Your legacy has the potential to echo into the lives of young people you may never meet. We’re honored to partner with you as you consider how to invest in Knoxville’s next generation of promising, Godly, young adult leaders.
For more details, please call David Olive, Director of Major & Planned Gifts, at (865) 637-3227 ext. 254.
*The information provided here and in the Planned Giving Guide is not intended to serve as tax, legal, investment or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.*
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
The heartbeat of Emerald Youth has always been people: volunteers who show up, pour out love, and walk faithfully alongside Knoxville's children and youth. Looking ahead to 2026, there are so many ways to get involved.
Many volunteers tell us they expected to help for an hour or two, only to walk away feeling they received far more in return. Whether it’s a small group helping with Wednesday night meals, a coach celebrating a player’s first basket, or a tutor watching a student finally “get it,” these moments shape lives.
Here are ways you can jump in and serve as the new year launches:
JustLead Ministry
Serve or provide Wednesday night meals (great opportunity for small businesses or groups)
Lead small groups for elementary–high school students
Tutoring & homework help
Emerald Youth Sports
Performance training volunteers (January)
Middle school baseball/softball coaches (January/February)
AAU basketball coaches (February)
Academy soccer coaches (March)
Calling & Career Ministry
Tutors & homework helpers
Worship Arts Ministry
Support for choir rehearsals
Your time can open a door for a young person, and sometimes, it only takes one “yes” to change the trajectory of a life.
THE "EA" WAY
It has been a vibrant, energizing semester at Emerald Academy, Knoxville’s original public charter school and Emerald Youth Foundation’s sister organization. With more than 450 scholars enrolled in grades K–8, each day is full of learning, discovery and growth.
One highlight from this semester was celebrating a scholar who reached an incredible milestone: one million words read. It was a big moment not just for him, but for classmates who suddenly realized, “Maybe I can do that too.”
Upper school scholars also participated in job shadowing experiences through Emerald Youth’s Calling & Career ministry. These hands-on opportunities helped them imagine their futures in new ways through meeting professionals, asking questions and seeing what their own goals might look like in real life. Participating businesses and organizations included Gus’s Fried Chicken, Knoxville Family Psychiatry, George Armour Ewart Architect, District Attorney General Charme Allen and Old National Bank.
Emerald Academy continues to be a place where scholars are challenged and inspired. We are proud of every student and grateful for the staff and supporters who make this environment and the “EA Way” possible.
