Youth Ministries
Welcome from the PET Youth Committee
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” – Matthew 18:5 NRSV
The Presbytery of East Tennessee is dedicated to supporting youth ministry in our individual churches, as well as collaboratively. The Youth Committee strives to provide opportunities for presbytery youth to grow in their faith, build relationships with one another, and explore ways in which they can live out their faith in a meaningful way.
Small & Mighty
One way the Youth Committee hopes to provide opportunities for faith formation and fellowship for youth in the presbytery is through our collaborative youth group program called Small & Mighty. This ministry initiative is targeted toward smaller youth groups but is open to all youth within the presbytery. Small & Mighty meets once a month for a variety of programming at different locations. Please check the 2025 calendar below for this year’s events and details.
Annual Events – Youth Summit & Middle School Retreat
Each year we offer an event for high school youth (9th-12th grade) in the early spring called Youth Summit. We also offer an annual Middle School Retreat for 6th-8th graders in the fall. Both of these events offer time for youth to meet new friends, grow in their faith, and build relationships with their home church group.
Youth Leadership
The Youth Committee realizes that in order to support youth ministry in our presbytery we need to actively help our youth grow in leadership skills and provide opportunities for our youth leaders to find encouragement and connection. High school youth are invited to apply to serve on PET Youth Council. This group of youth work with the Youth Leadership Team of the Youth Committee to learn leadership skills through training opportunities. They also help plan and lead the annual youth retreats. Youth ministry leader cohorts and continuing education events are in the works to better support the youth leaders of our presbytery.
If you need more information or would like to join the Youth Committee’s efforts to minister to the youth of our presbytery, please email us at youthcommittee@presbyteryeasttn.org
Peace & Light,
Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown
Moderator
Youth Committee
PET Youth Committee
Youth Committee Leadership
Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown, Moderator
Associate Chaplain and MAST Director
Maryville College, Maryville
Rev. Meredith Loftis, Vice Moderator
Associate Pastor
First Presbyterian, Knoxville
Youth Committee Teams
Small and Mighty Team
Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown
Associate Chaplain and MAST Director
Maryville College, Maryville
Dr. Rebecca Pierce
Elder
Bethel Presbyterian, Kingston
Mason Warren
Director of Family Ministry
Farragut Presbyterian, Knoxville
Youth Leadership Team
Holly Child
Christian Educator
Lake Hills Presbyterian, Knoxville
Sam Goins
Elder
New Providence Presbyterian, Maryville
Ryan Hughes
John Knox Staff
Carrie Pittenger
Member
New Providence Presbyterian, Maryville
Annual Events Team
Melissa Brown
Youth Director
Powell Presbyterian, Powell
Rev. Meredith Loftis
Associate Pastor
First Presbyterian, Knoxville
Rev. Louden Young
Associate Pastor
New Providence Presbyterian, Maryville
Summer Opportunities
Expanding Horizons
June 21-26, 2026
Expanding Horizons is a summer camp for high school students that takes place at Maryville College. Come explore the intersection of theology and ecology and experience the college life!
Questions? Email expanding.horizons@maryvillecollege.edu
Montreat Youth Conference
PET is organizing a group to go to Montreat Youth Conference week 2, June 14-20.
2026 Dates
Week 1 June 7-13
Week 2 June 14–20
Week 3 July 12–18
Week 4 July 19–25
Week 5 July 26–August 1
Week 6 August 2–August 8
Montreat Middle School Conference
@Maryville College
Montreat Middle School Conference will be July 15-19, 2026 at Maryville College.
The Middle School Conference is designed for youth who have completed fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade by summer 2026, and for their group leaders. Adults must be fully registered and housed with their youth in campus housing. The daily schedule includes keynote, worship, recreation, singing, small groups, and many other activities.
The conference will be held at Maryville College, a PC(USA) affiliated private college, located in Maryville, TN, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville.
Youth Summit 2026
April 10 – 12, 2026
High School Youth Summit at John Knox Center, Ten Mile, TN
Stay tuned for more information!
Questions? Email youthcommittee@
Small & Mighty
Small and Mighty is an initiative in collaborative youth ministry among churches in the Presbytery. The goal is to connect churches that would benefit from shared ministry, opening up new possibilities through pooling resources. Though aimed specifically at smaller congregations, these events are opened to any youth in the presbytery. If you are interested in learning more, or being put on the contact list for Small and Mighty events, please email Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown (youthcommittee@presbyteryeasttn.org).
Project Hope – Seeds of Abraham
December 7th
5 – 7pm
Lake Hills Presbyterian Church
Dinner included!
Assembling toiletry and winter packs for our unhoused neighbors.
Youth Council
We hope that the school year is off to a smooth start for your students and families and that you are finding time to rest as we enter the Fall season. While programming around the Presbytery continues to start up, we are excited to share two opportunities for high school youth to grow in leadership, deepen their faith, and connect with others. While Youth Council will not officially begin until January 2026, these upcoming events are an excellent way for our High School Youth interested in Youth Council to get involved this semester:
- Youth Council Interest Meeting (Zoom) Saturday, September 13 at 2:00 PM This meeting is open to any high school student who’s curious about Youth Council — whether they’ve served before or are just wondering what it’s all about. We’ll talk through what Youth Council involves, share what’s ahead for this year, and hear from a few past participants. Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ijclg9FQTr6XVoh_xCosQg
- Leadership Track at the Middle School Retreat September 26–28 at Camp John Knox High school students are also invited to participate in the Youth allow students to grow while helping lead and support middle school participants. You don’t have to be on Youth Council to participate — but we highly recommend it for any students who are interested in serving on Youth Council later this year. Click here to register: https://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/middle-school-retreat/
- What’s Next? As mentioned, the 2025–2026 Youth Council will officially begin in January, with applications opening after these fall events. Any high school student who feels called to serve more intentionally are encouraged to apply. Both the Zoom meeting and the Leadership Track are great first steps for high school students discerning what it looks like to be a leader in the church and Youth Council is a great opportunity for them to be supported and equipped to be leaders and serve both the Church and their local communities.
