Looking ahead to a new season of ministry in the Bearden area.
For the past seven years, Two Rivers Church has had the privilege of serving the Bearden community. During that time, we’ve watched Jesus work in incredible ways as people have come to faith, been baptized, built lasting friendships, served their neighbors, and found a church family.
As we look toward the future, we’re grateful for all that Jesus has done through Bearden and excited about a growing opportunity to reach people in new ways.
After much prayer, conversation, and consideration, we have made the decision to conclude Sunday gatherings at our Bearden Campus, with our final gathering taking place on Sunday, November 22, 2026.
A Growing Opportunity for Ministry
Throughout our years in Bearden, relationships formed at Cagle Terrace and other apartment communities have opened the door to an unexpected ministry opportunity.
Within five miles of downtown Knoxville, there are 32 subsidized apartment communities, home to more than 10,000 of our neighbors. For many residents, transportation can make attending a traditional church gathering difficult.
Through our apartment ministry, we’ve already begun gathering with residents right where they live. Around tables, people are studying Scripture, praying together, building friendships, and experiencing gospel-centered community.
We’ve had the privilege of celebrating baptisms, seeing people come to faith, and watching individuals begin helping others follow Jesus.
What began through relationships connected to Bearden has helped us recognize an opportunity to expand this ministry and invite people from across our Two Rivers campuses to participate.
We believe this is an opportunity worth pursuing together.
Why We’re Making This Transition
Our conversations about the future of Bearden began with this growing ministry opportunity. As we prayerfully considered what ministry in this area could look like, we also evaluated the significant costs associated with maintaining our aging Bearden facility, including ongoing repairs and the expense of renting in the area.
While finances were not the initial driving factor, we believe stepping away from this facility will allow us to steward our resources more wisely as we pursue new opportunities to help people follow Jesus.
This decision also means we are reevaluating how resources previously planned for the Bearden Campus can best support ministry moving forward. We’ll continue communicating with our church family as those plans become clearer.
What This Means for Our Bearden Family
We recognize that this transition carries real weight for those who call Bearden home. This campus has been more than a place to gather on Sundays. It’s where friendships have formed, families have grown, and people have encountered Jesus together.
If Bearden is your church home, you remain an important part of the Two Rivers family.
Our desire is to help you stay connected to the relationships and community you’ve built while finding your place at another Two Rivers campus. In the coming weeks, our ministry leaders will continue providing information, answering questions, and helping families take their next steps.
Bearden Campus Pastor Nate Sullivan and his leadership team have been actively involved in the prayer, conversations, and decisions surrounding this transition. We’re grateful that Nate will remain on staff and help lead our transition toward apartment-focused ministry.
Celebrating Seven Years of Faithful Ministry
Before we look ahead, we want to take time to celebrate.
On Sunday, November 22, we’ll gather one final time at our Bearden Campus to worship together, reflect on seven years of ministry, and celebrate the people and relationships that have made Bearden such an important part of Two Rivers.
Whether you’ve been part of Bearden from the beginning or joined us along the way, we hope you’ll be there.
Looking Ahead Together
We don’t have every detail of this next season figured out, but we’re encouraged by the relationships already forming through apartment ministry and the opportunities ahead.
We invite our entire church family to pray for our Bearden families as they navigate this transition, for our leaders as they continue shaping what comes next, and for the thousands of neighbors living in apartment communities throughout Knoxville.
We’re grateful for what Jesus has done through Bearden, and we’re expectant to see what He does next.
Watch the full announcement and find answers to frequently asked questions on our Bearden Update page.
