The lovely Robin and I visited The Gathering, at that time a ten-year-old church in Sevierville, TN, on a Sunday morning in 2008, if I remember right. We knew of the church because the founding pastor was a seminary friend of a dear friend of mine (as it turned out, that pastor was on vacation the weekend we attended; we never met him). The church was then squeezed into a former strip mall garden center (I think), and was making the most of things, holding five or six services a weekend.
Since then, the church completed a 42,000-square-foot, $11.3-million, state-of-the-art facility on fifty acres on Veteran's Boulevard, a broad bypass of much of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
The church is passionately pursuing their vision of providing a gathering-place for the community, and reaching out effectively to those in need all around. If you're ever in the area, take a chance to worship with these fine folks (their website is
here).
The lovely Robin and I visited The Gathering, at that time a ten-year-old church in Sevierville, TN, on a Sunday morning in 2008, if I remember right. We knew of the church because the founding pastor was a seminary friend of a dear friend of mine (as it turned out, that pastor was on vacation the weekend we attended; we never met him). The church was then squeezed into a former strip mall garden center (I think), and was making the most of things, holding five or six services a weekend. 
Since then, the church completed a 42,000-square-foot, $11.3-million, state-of-the-art facility on fifty acres on Veteran's Boulevard, a broad bypass of much of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. 
The church is passionately pursuing their vision of providing a gathering-place for the community, and reaching out effectively to those in need all around. If you're ever in the area, take a chance to worship with these fine folks (their website is here).
Awesome!! We love the Smoky Mountains and hope to visit there very soon!
ReplyDeleteTHIS CHURCH IS A SCAM! DON'T GO TO IT! The pastor pays himself $200,000 in donation money every year and his wife $60,000.Oh and the so called church just bought $57,000 Toyota Land Rover.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous-
ReplyDeletePlease check your facts before blasting a church online. If you are going to say terrible, untrue things about God's church...at least post your name.
I find it very distrubing that christians would judge anyone especially a pastor - when they have never walked in those shoes before. It is NOT an easy job - and it takes money to run an independant/non denom church. There is NO SUCH THING as a perfect pastor or church. I have attended this church 20+ times when I lived in the area. This Pastor is a true man of God. I have watched as this Pastor cry out in prayer for his people. He is the real deal. It is a great church filled with many great people. Their website is under construction right now but I often listen to the sermon's online. Pastor has a great gift and that is teaching His word!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery church should be totally
ReplyDeletetransparent in their use of all
Donations. Are the "facts" that
anonymous stated true or false?
It amazes me that people can make such bold and destructive statements about another person without knowing the facts and without having to post their name or take responsibility for what they say. God knows who you are.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that this pastor "Gene Wolfenbarger" daily asks for Gods wisdom to lead this Gathered flock and he is careful of what he says. If you can't see God working through him, you are blind, dead or nowhere to be found. Yes we hold our Spiritual Leaders to a higher standard, but take the plank out of your own eye first and know that God is still teaching us all how to laugh, love and lead.
I challenge anyone who is posting anything negative in this blog or any other blog that you have not prayed about your comments before you made them therefore anything you have to say that is negative in nature is NOT of God. If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all. Aren't you glad people are NOT gossiping about you like you are about him?
If you have a problem with someone, pray for them. A healthy person will examine his or her own heart and ask How can I make a difference in some ones life today. I hope my comments will make a difference for someone.
My name is Michael Rose michaelrose777 (at) gmail.com and I am not afraid.
I do not attend church nor am I a part of any church organization, but I respect anyone who shares their beliefs. I do not personally agree with a pastor making as much money as "Anonymous Mar 21, 2011 08:40 AM" claims. However, I am sure the church members are aware of how their money is being spent. You can't walk into an $11,000,000 church and not know that part of your donations will go to the operational costs,including salaries,. Another point is if you are not sure where your money goes or don't like how much the operators of the church make, either don't go or at least don't donate.
ReplyDeleteWhat anonymous said is true. I have attended the church. It amazes me, Michael Rose, that you give so blindly when the church does not provide a full disclosure of expenditures. They always say that the 'books are audited' but it is a audit that is paid for by the church. If Gene can convince the auditors that he runs 2,000 then he can justify having a salary set that high. That's why he counts 'every head, every service' + wednesday nights and kids!!! lol
ReplyDeleteAnd now the bank owns the expensive church and the gathering bunch has moved into the Majestic Theater. Wonder if Gene still drives the Land Rover and wears his expensive loafers?
ReplyDeleteWonder why people have nothing better to do but try to hurt other people
ReplyDeleteAnother big move for the Gathering. If you don't like the sermon just step next door and have a few drinks. When is this cult going to get out of Sevier County and quit taking all their members money.
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