Off the Grid

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.

For more information on Off the Grid events, contact:
Kevin Perrigan
kperrigan@tnbaptist.org
423-623-2764

Experience a unique way to share the Gospel to hundreds of men and women as they hike the Appalachian Trail. Approximately 2,000 people a year attempt to complete the 2,200 miles track on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. We will set up locations along the AT while hikers attempt to arrive in Hot Springs NC before Trail Days. You will be able to hand out food, water, cut hair, provide a warm fire, hand out tracks, a cup of coffee and share the gospel. We encourage you to bring baked goods and bottled water or soft drinks. The cost includes two nights stay at Carson Springs Conference Center and 5 meals.

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.

Experience a two-day hike in the Great Smoky Mountains. You will spend one night at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and two meals and lunch Saturday.

The Andrews Bald hike is a 3.6-mile roundtrip, moderate-difficulty trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that starts at the Clingmans Dome parking lot. Hikers descend for the first 1.8 miles through a spruce-fir forest, making the return trip uphill. The trail ends at a high-elevation grassy bald with scenic mountain views, and is known for its wildflowers, especially azaleas in the summer.

Middle Prong Trail is the best waterfall hike in the Smokies. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. The trail begins at Lynn Camp Prong and the Thunderhead Prong, at the point where the Middle Prong of the Little River officially begins. From the trailhead hikers will cross a metal footbridge over Lynn Camp Prong. Over the course of the first couple of miles you should keep an eye out for violets, crested dwarf iris, wood sorrel, rue anemone, foamflower, toothwort and trilliums, if you’re hiking in the spring and early summer months.

At four-tenths of a mile from the trailhead hikers will reach the Lower Lynn Camp Falls. This 35-foot, multi-tiered waterfall is one of the more impressive falls in the park, especially during the wetter months of the year. Indian Flats Falls, will be your final destination on this hike.

During this trip you will experience 2 days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with mission and ministry-minded women. For more information contact Kim Cruse at kcruse@tnbaptist.org.

The Off the Grid Motorcycle Tour will be a four-day, three-night event. You will begin your tour at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center with a morning breakfast and spend the next day traveling the rolling hills to the east side of the state. The second night you will stay half between Linden Valley and Carson Springs. Wednesday evening you will arrive at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and enjoy a delicious dinning and relax around a quiet fire in the lobby with great fellowship. Breakfast Thursday morning is also included as you travel home. Each day pastors will experience new experiences on the road with good fellowship. 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.

Did you hear about the big one that got away last year at the Ministers Destin Fishing Trip? Why don’t you join us for this year’s trip? You are invited to join us for 8 hours of deep-sea fishing on the Swoop II Party Boat. The group will fish on Thursday, June 25. A dinner reception is planned for Wednesday, June 24 at Cinco Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, FL. A list of hotel options will be provided for those who sign up.

Cost for one day of fishing is $200. You will need to provide your own transportation to Walton Beach. Group size will be limited to the first 30 that sign up. For more information, please contact Joe Sorah at 423-895-1481 or email at jsorah@tnbaptist.org.

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 $750, 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.

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.

Experience a three-day, two-night backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. You will experience approximately 6.7 miles each day of the seclusion of the backcountry of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a total of 20.3 miles. We will begin our journey on the Appalachian Trail at Devil Fork Gap at 3,300 ft. We will stay our first night near Big Butt at 5,000 ft. Big Butt is a panoramic view of 360 degrees. You will be able to see our next campsite from that point which will be 6.7 miles away. We will hike through several open fields with amazing views. The second night we will stay near Camp Creek Bald @ 4,900 ft. Both nights we will experience an open view of the sky. We will see several shelters and many incredible vista views. We will end our trip at Allen Gap at 2,300 ft. During this trip you will experience 3 days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with like-minded pastors’ wives.

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.

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 first 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 then 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.

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.

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.