Ministry Spotlight: July 2025
Elston Turner Basketball Camp
In three weeks, boys and girls will hit the court for the annual Elston Turner Basketball Camp, led by none other than NBA coach and Austin-East High School alumnus Elston Turner. The camp is held at Austin-East and engages the community in a really powerful way. But here's the thing: we need your assist to make it happen!
With your $50 gift, you can help cover the cost for one young athlete to attend.
Can we count on you to make this game-changing opportunity possible so more boys and girls in East Knoxville and across the city can attend camp to learn from Elston?
Summer at Emerald
Summer at Emerald kicked off at the end of May, and as the July 4th holiday draws near, what a summer it’s been so far during Day Camp.
Highlights for children and youth from across the city include:
Putting on their scientist hats and studying dinosaurs at The Island in Pigeon Forge. To celebrate their research and hard work, they hopped on rides and enjoyed a rooftop lunch.
Competing “Amazing Race style” for prizes and bragging rights, including a water day with water slides, water games, soaked shoes and plenty of smiles.
Knoxville Utilities Board powered up minds, as youth got the inside scoop on how to be energy-wise at home and in the community.
A day of kickball, golf, baseball, rock climbing and more at DICK’S House of Sport, plus some swag to help keep cool this summer.
Inspiring minds while having fun at Muse Knoxville with hands-on, STEM-based learning experiences.
In addition, Johnson University once again hosted its annual Royal Explorers Science Camp for middle schoolers. The two week camp gives youth a glimpse into a variety of sciences, while enjoying time outdoors and experiencing a college campus. The camp wrapped up with a day of kayaking on the Holston River.
Check out the photos and videos below!
Worship and the Word
More than 160 middle and high school youth gathered on Wednesday, June 25, for a Citywide Worship Night at Emerald Youth’s North Area Ministry Complex. The evening included worship, the Word, prayer, breakout groups, and dinner/fellowship.
In Lonsdale, from June 25 - 28, younger children enjoyed Vacation Bible School presented by the Lonsdale Union of Churches. Emerald Youth hosted the four-day event at Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex for children and their families. The VBS theme was about putting on the Armor of God, and it was a blessed time!
Celebrating Juneteenth
While Thursday, June 19, started out with some rain showers, the weather cleared up for the annual MLK Parade and Juneteenth Celebration in Knoxville. Emerald young people and adults walked in the parade, nearby Austin-East High School's marching band, whose members did a phenomenal job playing (Emerald was honored to provide transportation to and from the event for the band). Looking forward to 2026 already!
Exploring Careers and More
Summer is a special season for Emerald Youth to provide unique experiences for high schoolers and young adults, including:
Going behind-the-scenes at Covenant Health Park with the Knoxville Smokies.
A workshop to practice job interviews (while enjoying some ice cream!).
Young people modeled the servant heart of Jesus as they served alongside Knoxville Leadership Foundation during Operation Backyard.
The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations provided a fun week of learning during Content Creator's Camp at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Learning leadership skills and what it takes to run a business.
Later this month, recent high school graduates will participate in “Launch Point,” a multi-session workshop series designed to help young adults transition out of high school to post-secondary education or training. Topics will include how to apply faith, learning, and health in their lives after high school; how to strategically prepare for upcoming challenges; develop plans for positive habit formation; and determine areas of strength and development to perform postsecondary related tasks.
Summer Sports
Young people across the city are participating in a variety of sport and athletic opportunities, including time in the water with Emerald’s aquatics program, which kicked off summer with the annual (and free!) Learn-to-Swim Day at E.V. Davidson Community Center Pool in East Knoxville. Dozens of young people from city neighborhoods gathered to learn the life-saving skill of swimming. Additionally, Emerald’s competitive swim team is participating in meets throughout the area, including the well-attended Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association City Meet this month at Allan Jones Aquatic Center on the University of Tennessee campus.
Other sports making waves include learning the basics of golf, AAU track and field, bootcamp for basketball and volleyball, and later in July, baseball camp with the Knoxville Smokies and the annual Elston Turner Basketball Camp held at Austin-East High School the third week of July, just to name a few.
Emerald also enjoyed hosting the “Harp and Higgs Football Camp,” presented by the NFL’s Devin Harper and Tee Higgins, and on July 12, former University of Tennessee football player Todd Kelly Jr. will welcome young athletes to his camp to learn what it takes to succeed in life and on the gridiron. Both camps are held in Lonsdale at Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex.
All-Star Recruiter
Erica Randolph-Allen, Talent & Recruitment Coordinator for Emerald Youth Foundation, was honored with “The Gene Crabtree Recruiter of the Year Award” by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration.
Erica was recognized for her commitment to regularly sharing with UT students about meaningful ways to engage with Emerald Youth Foundation through employment and volunteer opportunities and her overall dedication to Tennessee’s flagship institution. Way to go, Erica - you are Emerald green and Tennessee orange through and through!
Of course, we couldn’t share Erica’s news without this important reminder . . . we’re seeking Christlike, compassionate, women and men to volunteer this fall as soccer coaches, basketball coaches, small group leaders and more.
Find details on how to serve in a volunteer role with Emerald, or join the team as an employee, right here.
Ready to Swing Into a New School Year
Emerald Youth Foundation’s sister organization, Emerald Academy, will welcome scholars back to class on July 21 as its 11th school year gets underway. Campus is abuzz this summer with volunteer groups helping to spruce up the grounds and facility. Emerald Academy faculty and staff will soon return to prepare classrooms and be ready to celebrate a new year of academic rigor.
Take a look back at a few fun moments below from last year, including EA’s 8th Grade Celebration, teacher Kayla Brooks receiving "Teacher of the Year,” and celebrating the school’s 10-year milestone.