Christian Businesses in Knoxville

Christian businesses in Knoxville are everywhere you look.

Some, like Christian bookstores and the youth ministry that kicks off this series of articles are almost entirely faith-based in their business plan.

However, most Knoxville businesses are simply Christian in the way they deal with employees and customers - with honesty, fairness, hard work, good humor and love.

If you have favorite Christian businesses in Knoxville that you'd like to share with our community, please use the form at the bottom of this page to let us know.

Our Featured Christian Business

We begin this series with Hiking 4 Jesus, a youth ministry duo that weaves together original speech and song.

I saw Hiking 4 Jesus perform at a college chapel service, and I was blown away by how well Preston and Tom work together, and by how moved and inspired the students and college professionals were by the end of the service.

You really don't see that every day -- especially not in a college setting, where people can be a bit emotionally detached.

But it wasn't just moving; their message and delivery was relevant, smart, and very well woven together.

I personally left the Hiking 4 Jesus service inspired to begin my series of articles on Christian businesses in Knoxville - something that has been on my mind for some time.

Hiking4Jesus is the combined ministry of best friends, Christian singer/songwriter Tom Wiesner and Christian speaker/author Preston Fields. After years of ministry on their own, Tom and Preston felt that God was calling them to share their faith and God's love, together, through their friendship and talents.

With a unique blend of story and song, biblical reflection and honest, straightforward talk, Hiking4Jesus is able to powerfully engage High School and College youth in an entertaining, fun and meaningful way.

Christian Artist Tom Wiesner first felt called to ministry after a particularly powerful experience at Catholic World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada in 2002 and wasted no time officially launching his career in 2003 with the release of his first project "the likes of you."

In 2006, Wiesner released his second project "come to the water." He is a frequent featured independent artist on various Christian music and College radio stations and is the co-founder of Hiking4Jesus. In addition to his ministry, Wiesner is an ER nurse in Knoxville, TN and a youth ministry leader at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church

Christian speaker and author Preston Fields was called to youth ministry while working with abused children through Catholic Charities and as a Sunday school teacher in the local Juvenile Detention Center. Since then, he has partnered with several ministries as a retreat leader, keynote speaker, author, and is co-founder of Hiking4Jesus.

Currently, Fields is the Director of Volunteer Services in the Center for Campus Ministry at Maryville College and is a youth ministry leader at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. He has earned a B.A. in Religion and a B.A. in International Studies and is currently working on his first book.

It has only been a year since the ministry was formally launched in Knoxville and Preston and Tom are already crisscrossing the nation as keynote speakers and entertainers at youth rallies and retreats. Presentations topics include everything from Christian Friendship, Confirmation, and Graduation Retreats.

“Sharing our faith with others through our friendship is the key to this ministry,” said Tom. “I feel it is so important for our youth today to find what’s truly real in life. Working hard to find true Christian friendships and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ are perhaps some of the best foundation stones to build on.”

Preston said that “the response from the community has been overwhelming. We’re constantly getting notes and e-mails from the young people, youth ministers, and parents about how much they appreciate our ministry.

“I have no idea where this ministry will take us, but I’m confident that with Christ in my heart and my best friend by my side, it’s going to be quite an adventure.”

Click here for more information on booking or contacting Hiking 4 Jesus.

If you'd like to share a story about favorite Knoxville Christian business with us, please write it first, then copy and paste it, along with your information, into the form below.