Faith-Based Experiences in the Smokies

Your higher power is with you no matter where you are. Yet, you may feel a stronger connection with the divine when surrounded by ancient beauty and graceful grandeur. Impressive, timeless, yet gentle – the Great Smoky Mountains inherently generate such a sense of sacredness.

It’s no surprise that there is a wide variety of faith-based entertainment and churches in Pigeon Forge, TN. Whether you’re looking for spiritual fellowship or some fun ways to learn more about your faith, these religious things to do in the Smokies allow you to make time for God while on vacation.

Churches in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

While the mountains alone evoke a sense of holiness, the communities of the Smokies certainly contribute to it, too. Whether you identify as deeply devoted or you’re curious and questioning, the churches in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg welcome visitors from all walks of life to worship.

Gatlinburg Church of Christ

The Gatlinburg Church of Christ has been a home to locals and a home-away-from-home to visitors for over fifty years. Join Minister Roger Comstock for Bible class or worship service with an emphasis on the New Testament. Events recur weekly on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings. Can’t make it in person? No problem! The Gatlinburg Church of Christ makes its sermons and Bible studies available online with Vimeo.

Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ

Dedicated to leading and cultivating a community of believers on the spiritual journey, the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ is easily one of the best churches in Pigeon Forge, TN. Their programming includes Sunday morning Bible study and worship, plus a few additional offerings. Ladies’ Bible Study and Men’s Group Devotional take place every Monday at 7 pm. Plus, their nursery/Pre-K, elementary school, middle school, and high school youth groups will gladly welcome your kids of all ages.

Hope Pavilion

Hope Pavilion is not your average church but a live music event on the Pigeon Forge Parkway. Sean Tabb Ministries hosts HOPE NOW, a free or donation-based event featuring evangelical guest speakers and gospel musical artists on select weekends throughout the year. Mark your calendar for their next live music dates on the weekends of August 26th, September 15th, and October 28th.

Biblical Times Theater

Reading a text is one thing, but have you ever wondered how those parables might have played out in real life? Biblical Times Theater offers an original way to understand scripture. At their state-of-the-art theater, you can listen to your favorite gospel songs in concert or see your favorite Bible characters come to life on stage. Follow Ruth and Naomi on a new journey of redemption in Bethlehem after losing their families. Learn from the story of Peter how God works with us through ups and downs to bring us closer to Him. Sit back and enjoy your dinner-time entertainment over smoked chicken breast, smoked meatloaf, corn on the cob, potatoes, broccoli, and more.

SGMA Museum & Hall of Fame

Formerly located at Dollywood, the Southern Gospel Music Association is moving to Biblical Times Theater. The SGMA operates to preserve the spirit and heritage of gospel music, which is native to the Smokies, and to promote its modern industry professionals and early pioneers. While the Museum tells the fascinating history of gospel music from humble beginnings through today, the Hall of Fame commemorates the most notable gospel music professionals of all time with honorary plaques.

While the Museum is currently not yet open, mark your calendar for their grand re-opening date on September 9, 2022. Once they’re back in full swing, arrive early to your Biblical Times Theater dinner show or gospel concert. You’ll want plenty of time to enjoy the exhibits and pay respects to those who have given the gift of beautiful Christian music.

Christ In The Smokies

Christ in the Smokies is also returning soon to Pigeon Forge’s Grand Smokies Themeplex. Once reinstalled in the new location, this inspirational attraction will feature over 100 life-sized wax figures of Jesus, the apostles, and many other religious personages. As you take a self-guided tour of the museum, you’ll learn about the life of Jesus Christ through 3D scenes set to lighting, special effects, and narration. The museum will also contain artifacts from the Biblical era, such as coins, temple vestments, and a 900-square-foot mural. Stay tuned for the Christ in the Smokies reopening date!

Wears Valley Ranch

Spiritual work can look like many things. For instance, it can mean attending a church service, going for a hike in nature, or learning more about scripture through storytelling. On the other hand, one overlooked way to honor God is to let him perform works of service through you.

Donate your time and energy to a good cause like Wears Valley Ranch while you’re on vacation. Wears Valley Ranch is a Christ-centered safe haven for children needing a solid support system. Their programs provide children in need with housing, education, counseling, and recreation.

Volunteers are always needed for grounds maintenance, painting, cleaning, and clerical work. Alternatively, you could plan a day of recreation for some of their students or register as a volunteer family for a short term. When you have the time and resources and hear God’s call to action, you could positively impact a child’s life in ways you can’t imagine.

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Like a refresh button, vacations are meant to give us a well-deserved break from our usual routines and familiar sights and sounds. Novelty grants us fresh perspectives, refuels our creativity, and enhances our joie de vivre. Plus, faith-based experiences such as the sermons at the churches in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg renew our gratitude for the most profound and significant aspect of life.

As any person of faith will avow, all of these benefits help us feel more deeply aligned with our higher power. Use this unstructured vacation time in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to relax, tune in, and wonder what kind of divine insight may come to you.

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