ABOUT US

Find Belonging and Purpose through Surrender to Jesus.

Woodland Park Baptist Church - Christian Church Near Chattanooga, TN - Sunday Church Service

Our Mission:

Equipping Every Generation to Find Belonging & Purpose

At Woodland Park Baptist Church, our mission is to equip every generation to find belonging and purpose through surrender to Jesus. Simply put, our goal is to make disciples of all people for the glory of God.

Our Values

  • EQUIPPING

    We are for making disciples of all generations and every stage of life.

  • BELONGING

    We are for a diverse community that provides a deep sense of connection.

  • AUTHENTIC

    We are for genuine communication that fosters growth in every conversation.

  • VALUED

    We are for acknowledging the worth of each individual in our community.

  • TRANSFORMED

    We are for impacting lives through the message and power of the Gospel.

  • SURRENDERED

    We are for encouraging a lifestyle of surrender and commitment to Jesus.

Our Vision

By the year 2030, we want to see Woodland Park as an army of men, women, and children whose lives have been transformed by the love of God and who are passionate about sharing the gospel and making disciples among their neighbors and nations.

Woodland Park Baptist Church - Christian Church Near Chattanooga, TN - Sunday Church Service

➔

We want to cultivate a lifestyle of worship, where every aspect of our lives is an opportunity to glorify God.

We want to be transformed from the inside out by the renewing of our minds and to hunger for God’s Word, reading, studying, and meditating on it day and night.

We want to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that listening and following Him becomes second nature. We want to walk worthy of our calling, love one another, and build up the Church.

Woodland Park Baptist Church - Christian Church Near Chattanooga, TN - Sunday Church Service

We want to proclaim the name of Jesus without shame or hesitation and cultivate radical, life-changing generosity through our giving.

We want to engage our local communities and neighbors, meeting physical needs and building relationships.

We want to see every adult in our church go global and experience a short-term mission trip to see how people from all nations are uniquely and pricelessly made in God’s image.

As a result, we want to see crime decrease, divorce rates drop, suicide statistics lower, addictions broken, marriages and families healed, orphans find homes, and lives transformed by the power of the Gospel, all for the glory of God.

Woodland Park Baptist Church - Christian Church Near Chattanooga, TN - Sunday Church Service

Discover Our Core Beliefs

Learn more about our church's beliefs and how they shape our community.

Our timeline

Explore the significant moments that have made us who we are today.

  • 1901

    Our Humble Beginnings

    In 1901, right in the middle of Chattanooga's muddy roads, Tabernacle Church started the Avenue Mission on Main Street. A small group of seven individuals, including Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Miller and Miss Dollie Clouse, kicked off this mission in the old Grand View Hotel. This area of town lacked a church at the time and was in need of the message of the Gospel. This marked the beginning of our story!

  • 1914

    Woodland Park Baptist Church Established

    On April 26, 1914, Woodland Park Baptist Church was organized with 26 adults. George W. McClure served as the first pastor, overseeing growth to 350 members. Successive pastors navigated challenges, including the Great Depression and World War II.

  • 1940

    Growth and New Facilities

    Under E.L. Williams, the church expanded, and a stone auditorium replaced the original building in 1942. Membership reached 2,392 by 1946, leading to outreach efforts and mission church establishments. The stone building is still standing and is now home to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission.

  • 1978

    Relocation to 7501 Standifer Gap Road

    Charles Hyder led the move to 7501 Standifer Gap Road in 1978. Wayne Barber succeeded him in 1981, contributing to substantial growth and Woodland Park's reputation as a sending church.

  • June 2007

    Move to Current Location

    Facing financial challenges in 2007, Woodland Park miraculously relocated to 6735 Standifer Gap Road. This move marked a new chapter for the church.

  • Today

    Expectant For What’s Next

    After Wayne Barber's passing in 2016, Brian Kinlaw took on the role of senior pastor in December of 2017. Woodland Park remains committed to spreading the Gospel, aiming to be a place where every generation finds belonging and purpose through surrender to Jesus. Today, we're excited to keep growing and sharing God's Word, recognizing its strength in the mighty name of the Lord!

Meet Our Church Leadership Team

Woodland Park Baptist Church - Christian Church Near Chattanooga, TN - Sunday Church Service

Ready to grow?

Put Down Some Roots

Experience the love of Christ through relationships in small groups, opportunities to serve, outreach to our community and more!

  • Find A Group

    Connect with like-minded individuals and grow in your faith through our small groups.

    Learn More

  • Join A Team

    Make a difference in the lives of others by serving through various opportunties.

    Click Here

  • Engage Local

    Discover ways to engage our surrounding community with compassion.

    Click Here
I'm Ready To Take My First Step