Church History
Elkmont is what you might call a “town and country” church. We are close enough to town but not right in town. For the most part, our members live in this community near the church building.
The Elkmont family is a friendly church that welcomes guests with open arms. We are not a fancy church. We are just ordinary people who love Jesus and want to see people reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elkmont's Mission
Loving God. Loving people. Sharing Jesus.
In Matthew 22, a teacher of the Jewish law asked Jesus what the most important commandment was. Here’s how Jesus answered:
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 New Living Translation
So, we believe that if Jesus said that loving God and loving people were the greatest commandments, then we ought to make them top priority as well.
Jesus’ last words to His disciples before He returned to heaven are also important. They give us our mission.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 New Living Translation
As we love God and love people, we are to share the good news of Jesus with people around us. This is called “making disciples.” The early church did this, and disciples were multiplied exponentially. That’s what we want to see happen here in Bradley County and around the world.
Elkmont's Community
Elkmont is what you might call a “town and country” church. We are close enough to town but not right in town. For the most part, our members live in this community near the church building.
The Elkmont family is a friendly church that welcomes guests with open arms. We are not a fancy church. We are just ordinary people who love Jesus and want to see people reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are a church in the making. That means that we don’t have everything figured out, but we are trusting God to guide us to be the church He wants us to be.
Leadership
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
We are truly grateful to have Pastor Sammy leading our congregation. With over 30 years of ministry experience, he brings uplifting energy to the pulpit and is helping to bring our community together in service to the Lord. His wife, Debbie, blesses us each Sunday with her beautiful voice and her talents on the organ.
Deacon Matt Dillard
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
Matt has attended Elkmont since 1988. He was our youth director for about 23 years, and he has been a deacon since 2011. He has been married to his wife, Terri, for 40 years, and they have been blessed with two awesome sons, their wonderful wives, 3 precious grandsons and a granddaughter.
Matt loves being outdoors, working along side his f
Matt has attended Elkmont since 1988. He was our youth director for about 23 years, and he has been a deacon since 2011. He has been married to his wife, Terri, for 40 years, and they have been blessed with two awesome sons, their wonderful wives, 3 precious grandsons and a granddaughter.
Matt loves being outdoors, working along side his family, and spending time with Terri and the rest of the family. He works with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and he also serves on the board of Ocoee Outreach.
Matt and Terri have experienced an unimaginable loss with the passing of their oldest son and his wife in a tragic car crash involving a drunk driver. Even in the midst of sorrow, his faith remains strong.
If you know Matt, you know he has a heart for people. He is one of the most positive people you will ever meet, and he believes in a very BIG God!
Our Leadership
Pastor Sammy Hooker and wife, Debbie
Our Leadership
We are a church in the making. That means that we don’t have everything figured out, but we are trusting God to guide us to be the church He wants us to be, knowing he has blessed us with the leadership and hearts needed to grow in His purpose. We believe that through prayer, service, and a shared commitment to love others as Christ loves
We are a church in the making. That means that we don’t have everything figured out, but we are trusting God to guide us to be the church He wants us to be, knowing he has blessed us with the leadership and hearts needed to grow in His purpose. We believe that through prayer, service, and a shared commitment to love others as Christ loves us, He is shaping us into a community that reflects His grace, truth, and hope.