OneLife Church opens doors to Farragut
A new church has begun serving the Farragut community on Jamestowne Boulevard.
OneLife Church, which already has campuses in East and North Knoxville, began West Knoxville services on Easter Sunday in an empty church building that formerly housed Faith Lutheran Church.
The property still is owned by Faith Lutheran, which now is located next door, but that
church is allowing OneLife to use its facility.
“Mainly we are trying to develop a consistent presence in the West Knoxville community as we prepare to launch in an official capacity,” said Brandon Hurst, West Campus pastor. “Faith Lutheran has been gracious to let us meet there, in our pre-launch services, and we are so grateful for their generosity.
For now, the West location will meet on the first Sunday of each month, with the next service set for this weekend, beginning at 10 a.m., May 6.
Hurst said it is his hope the church will begin meeting on a weekly basis by August.
Rodney Arnold, OneLife Church’s lead pastor, founded it almost a decade ago when he said he felt God’s calling to that purpose, according to the church’s website.
At that time, Arnold was on staff of Friendship Church in Karns, but with the help of Friendship pastor Tim Addis, worked with leaders from other churches on the vision for a new congregation he would go on to lead.
The church officially started in 2009 in Powell and has locations there — now called its North Campus — and one in East Knoxville.
Plans toward establishing a West Knoxville campus began in 2016, and the church also is looking to possibly expand into South Knoxville sometime in the future, according to its website.
OneLife has members throughout Knoxville, with many on the west side working to share its message beyond the church doors.
Most recently, members and volunteers hosted five West Knoxville Easter egg hunts in outreach events held the weekend prior to Easter, which Hurst said served more than 500 children and their families.
He added the area has been very responsive.
“Farragut is very unique community,” he said. “Our sense so far is that of excitement. We feel very welcomed and wanted (here).
“Someone saw us putting up our (church) sign and stopped and told us they were glad for us to be here.
“There is just a lot of (positive) energy about how things are developing and where they are headed,” Hurst continued.
“We just want to help others learn who Jesus is, and how our lives can make a difference,” he said. “We want to see people invest their lives where they live, work and play.
“Everything we do … boils down to that.”
