The Off the Grid Project was created for the purpose of providing outdoor programs for pastoral staff to disconnect, be refreshed and build relationships with people that have a common purpose.
The “Off the Grid Project” is different than most pastoral conferences or conventions. Our focus is to help pastors break away from the demands and stress of their ministries. To have the time to reflect and evaluate their personal lives and ministry. Our desire is that each pastor will return with clarity, eagerness, and refreshment to further the Kingdom of God.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31
For more information on Off the Grid events, contact:
Kevin Perrigan
kperrigan@tnbaptist.org
423-623-2764
Event Descriptions
Off the Grid – Major League Baseball Tour - Cincinnati / Pittsburgh / Cleveland
August 17-20, 2026
(email Joe Sorah for pricing)
Do you like attending Major League Baseball games and seeing beautiful ballparks and cities? Come join other ministers on a four-day excursion of 3 games in 3 cities. The game schedule will be:
- Monday, August 17 St. Louis Cardinals at the Cincinnati Reds
- Tuesday, August 18 Detroit Tigers at the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Wednesday, August 19 San Fransisco Giants at the Cleveland Guardians
Cost is to be determined, but projected games and hotel cost based on 2 to a room should be around $700, with transportation costs to be determined. Group size will be determined by transportation availability. For more information, please contact Joe Sorah at 423-895-1481 or email at jsorah@tnbaptist.org.
Off the Grid – Pastors Backpacking Trip Rocky Mountains - Denver, CO
August 18-25, 2026
$900
The Off the Grid Rocky Mountain trip is an opportunity for those that have some backpacking experience. We will fly into Denver on August 18th. We will spend one day working with a church planter. We will have the opportunity to encourage the pastor as well as help in his ministry for a day. We will spend Aug 20 through Aug 23rd on “4 Pass Loop”. The head of the trail is south of Aspen.
Four Pass Loop is a backpacking trip through the striking Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The route gets its name from the four 12,000 ft. passes it traverses: Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon. Many hikers take 3-4 days to complete this loop, with optional side trips to Geneva Lake and Willow Pass. You’ll pass through meadows covered in wildflowers, alpine lakes, lush forests, and exposed rocky passes.
Aug 24th will be a debrief and rest day. We will fly back home on the 25th. There will be a limited number of participants. The max number will be 10 but there is a waiting list.Wives Backpacking Trip – Newport
August 31-September 2, 2026
$95
Pastors Motorcycle Tour – Newport
September 21-24, 2026
$200
The Off the Grid Motorcycle Tour will be a three-day, three-night event. Each Pastor will stay all three nights at Carson Springs Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday evening after dinner for some fellowship time. Tuesday & Wednesday morning, they will enjoy breakfast at Carson Sprigs then on the road for lunch and on a tour of the mountains of east Tennessee. They will explore new restaurants each day to gather for lunch. After a leisurely ride they will come back to Carson Springs for dinner each evening and a time gathering around the fire in the conference center lobby to share stories. Each day pastors will experience new experiences on the road with good fellowship. Thursday morning after breakfast they will depart for home. The purpose is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers.Pastors Golf Tour – Newport
September 28-30, 2026
$270
The Off the Grid Golf Tour will be a three-day, two-night event. You will enjoy playing on a different golf course each day. Each Pastor will stay two nights at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday morning at your f
irst course (Patriot Hills Golf Course). Later that afternoon you will check in to the conference center at Carson Springs where you will have a delicious dinner and great fellowship. Day two, you will wake to a full breakfast and t
hen off to (Graysburg Hills Golf
Course). You will come back to Carson Springs for another delicious meal and then relax in the setting of English Mountain. On day three, you will start with your final breakfast at Carson Springs and then on to (Dandridge Country Club)
. Each day pastors will experience great fun and relaxation while playing on three great courses. The purpose of the Off the Grid Golf Tour is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. Cost includes 2 nights in the conference center, 4 meals and 3 course/cart fees.Off the Grid – Women Mission & Ministry Hiking Trip – Newport
October 2-3, 2026
$100
Join us for a 2 day/1 night retreat at a beautiful cabin with a hot tub and 2 days of waterfall hikes in two of Tennessee’s most beautiful state parks. We will meet at noon (Central) on Friday, Oct 2 at the cabin in Spencer, TN and carpool to Rock Island State Park to hike a moderately easy 1.7 mile trail along the river to the park’s famous twin falls. We will then hike a short but steep trail called the Blue Hole, in which we will climb ladders/steps down and walk among small streams flowing along the cliffside. This does require water sandals with good traction or waterproof hiking shoes. Trekking poles are recommended, but we will help one another on this hike.
Today’s hikes are not long, but they are very scenic and do require a good amount of steps/climbing. We will then eat supper together nearby (at your own expense) and return to the cabin for a fun night of games, s’mores and relaxing in the hot tub.
Saturday morning, we’ll have breakfast and devotions at the cabin and drive around 20 minutes to Fall Creek Falls State Park to hike a series of short to moderate trails to see the famous waterfall from the Gorge overlook as well as the base of the falls for a wade or swim if the weather is warm enough. If you want to google the trails, we will do Base of Falls Trail, Cane Creek Falls, Gorge Overlook, Suspension Bridge, and the Cable Trail via Lower Loop. These total around 5 miles in length. We will take breaks and have lunch in between. These are very rewarding scenic hikes that aren’t very long, but do require some climbing. Again, we will help one another, but you must be in good shape and able to handle lots of steps to do these hikes.
We will end in time for a late supper, and you can either eat together with the group or on your way home. (This meal is not included in the price).
Price per person is $100 and includes the cabin, breakfast, s’mores and snacks.
Not included: Friday lunch and supper. Eat lunch before you arrive on Friday.
Bring a lunch for the trail on Saturday. If you bring items that need to be refrigerated, you can put them in the cabin’s fridge upon arrival. Suggested high protein ideas: Peanut butter, bananas, nuts/trail mix, boiled eggs, sandwiches, cheese sticks, protein bars.
Things to bring for the hike: Waterproof shoes or water sandals with a non-slip sole, hiking/quick dry pants or shorts, water bottle, backpack or fanny pack, trekking pole recommended (or find a stick there), snacks/lunch, repellent, sunscreen.
Email Kim Cruse with questions at kcruse@tnbaptist.org.
Pastors Golf Tour – Linden
October 5-7, 2026
$275
The Off the Grid Golf Tour will be a three-day, two-night event. You will enjoy playing on a different golf course each day. Each Pastor will stay two nights at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday morning at your first course (Tennessee River Golf Club). Later that afternoon you will check in to the conference center at Linden Valley where you will have a delicious dinner and great followship. Day two, you will wake up to a full breakfast and then off to (Pickwick Landing) in the middle of Pickwick Landing State Park. You will come back to Linden Valley for another delicious meal and then relax in the setting of Buffalo River. On day three, you will start with your final breakfast at Linden Valley and then on to (Ross Creek). Each day pastors will experience great fun and relaxation of playing on great courses. The purpose of the Off the Grid Golf Tour is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. Cost includes 2 nights in the conference center, 4 meals and 3 course/cart fees.Pastors Backpacking Trip – Newport
October 19-21, 2026
$95
Experience a three-day, two-night backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. You will experience approximately 4 miles each day of the seclusion of the backcountry of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a total of 12 miles. We will begin our journey on the Appalachian Trail at Spivey Gap (US 19w) 3,200ft. We will stay our first night near Devils Creek Gap 3,400ft. We will hike through several amazing views. The second night we will stay near Temple Hill Gap 2,850ft. Both nights we will experience an open view of the sky. We will end our trip near the Nolichucky river at Oglesby Branch 1,700ft. During this trip you will experience 3 days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with like-minded pastors.