Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries is a Christian ministry that functions as an independent non-profit ministry. Its purpose is to reveal the presence of God to those who live, work, and play in the resort settings of Sevier County, Tennessee.   Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries is responsible for resort ministry work in Sevier County with the four main areas of attractions being the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

Listed below are different ministry programs in which SMRM works to share the Gospel with the leisure lifestyle people who live, work, and play in these resort areas.

CAMPGROUND MINISTRY

• Sunday worship services in 10 campgrounds
• Day camps for children – daily programs in the summer with Bible stories, games, crafts, music
• Family Evening Programs –nightly concerts, festivals, events with Christian witness for families
• Chaplain relationships for employees and guests –on-call response and intentional visitation

SKI MINISTRY

• Employee Devotionals and Bible Studies at Ober Gatlinburg
• Skier Sunday worship services
• Supervision of the Host Program (volunteer services for winter guests)
• Programs for international employees
• Chaplain relationship for employees and guests –on-call response and intentional visitation

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WORKERS MINISTRY

Outreach to international students working in the area –In the course of a year, there are approximately 2000 college age students from about 18 countries who work in our resort settings. God has brought the world to us and God enables us to reach into their lives. God’s work goes from here to all over the world as they return home. We relate through:

• Van transportation shopping and outings
• Individual relationships
• Gift Bags
• Bible studies and gift Bibles in their language
• Hospitality events
• Crisis Help
• Church sponsored special events such as soup dinners or park picnics

THEME PARKS/SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS MINISTRY

• Chaplain at LeConte Lodge
  • Sunday worship services at sunrise and breakfast
  • Chaplain relationship with Lodge employees
• NASCAR Speedpark
  • Employee Devotionals –More “Donut Devotionals”
  • “Innovator” employees –Intentional employees working at the park with relational skills
  • Children’s Craft Booth –Weekly in the summer with a children’s craft and balloon sculpturing

SPECIAL EVENTS MINISTRY

• Fourth of July Parade: Gatlinburg
  • Pre-Parade entertainment and witnessing to 80,000
• Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair: July, October
  • Craftsmen’s Sunday worship services
  • Cookie bag welcome and visitation program
  • Host program of booth sitting for crafters
  • Christian witness handout to 60,000 visitors
  • Children’s craft booth and face painting

PARKWAY MINISTRY

• Chaplain on the Parkway in Gatlinburg with visitation in local shops
• Visitation in local shops
• One to one witnessing and counseling
• Employee Bible Studies

RESORT MINISTRY TRAINING AND PROMOTION

• Supervision of approximately 600 volunteers per year
• Hosting Resort Ministry Training upon request
• Resort Ministry awareness and promotion speaking and conferencing