UNEDITED NEWS RELEASE — KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Buckner Children and Family Services, a 127-year-old Dallas-based social services ministry, has announced it will return to its founder's roots through a new partnership with First Baptist Church, Knoxville.
The church-based community ministry program, led by Rev. Carol McEntyre, will serve the needs of the Knoxville community and support the city's recently-unveiled 10-year-plan to end homelessness.
“The Buckner/First Baptist partnership provides a new and innovative model for social work,” McEntyre said. “Buckner brings years of experience to equip the church to provide competent services to the working poor. And the church platform allows us to address spiritual needs, as well.”
After serving as the primary housing provider for Hurricane Katrina evacuees who were disabled or mentally ill, FBC Knoxville became keenly aware of its responsibility to provide care to those in its own community, said Pastor Bill Shiell.
“We want to be the place that builds transformational relationships with our community's working poor,” he said. “And we think this partnership will be the first step to changing many lives.”
Buckner and FBC Knoxville will celebrate the new collaboration Sunday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. during the church worship service. Dr. Kenneth L. Hall, president and CEO of Buckner, will be the guest speaker.
Buckner was founded in Dallas, Texas, by R.C. Buckner, a Baptist pastor from Madisonville, Tenn., in 1879. Now, as the largest private social services agency of its kind in the country, Buckner is dedicated to the restoration and healing of children and families in the United States and more than 50 countries around the world.
Buckner currently supports seven church-based community ministries in Texas, Atlanta, Ga., Seattle, Wash., the Rio Grande Valley and now Tennessee.
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