WHY KIN?
More than 45,000 internationals live in the 9-county Knoxville Metro Area.
They represent at least 129 countries.
They represent at least 129 countries.
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Our Mission
KIN connects internationals with like-minded partners to empower relationships that embrace cultures and encourage unity. Our Vision Internationals in metro Knoxville are welcomed as neighbors, embraced as family, and enjoy lives of hope, dignity and purpose in Christ Jesus. Our Purpose Empower local internationals. Equip churches and individuals. |
Background
In 2010, a group of Christ-followers in West Knoxville serving among internationals in Knoxville came together in a multi-meeting prayer initiative. The group represented various Christian denominations, yet found unity in the Gospel and call to mission. The following year, a leadership team formed from this larger group of participants and began to lay the foundation for a robust, collaborative network working together to serve local internationals.
In 2012, with the name "Knoxville Internationals Network - KIN", this growing group hosted a series of community meetings to raise awareness of the Knoxville metro area’s cultural diversity and needs among local internationals. Ministries, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations were invited to these forums to connect and share information and resources. KIN then hosted a yearlong series of training events in 2013 entitled “Embracing Multi-Ethnic Knoxville,” which continued to increase awareness and provide opportunities for relationship building to strengthen the network as a whole. Six churches, representing five denominations, completed the workshop series.
In 2014, KIN was incorporated as a faith-based organization and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizational status from the IRS. The organization continues to grow in scope as a network, ever increasing the number of local internationals served and the network capabilities with which this service is achieved. The beauty of KIN is found in unified ministry and in the tapestry of intercultural relationships formed.
In 2010, a group of Christ-followers in West Knoxville serving among internationals in Knoxville came together in a multi-meeting prayer initiative. The group represented various Christian denominations, yet found unity in the Gospel and call to mission. The following year, a leadership team formed from this larger group of participants and began to lay the foundation for a robust, collaborative network working together to serve local internationals.
In 2012, with the name "Knoxville Internationals Network - KIN", this growing group hosted a series of community meetings to raise awareness of the Knoxville metro area’s cultural diversity and needs among local internationals. Ministries, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations were invited to these forums to connect and share information and resources. KIN then hosted a yearlong series of training events in 2013 entitled “Embracing Multi-Ethnic Knoxville,” which continued to increase awareness and provide opportunities for relationship building to strengthen the network as a whole. Six churches, representing five denominations, completed the workshop series.
In 2014, KIN was incorporated as a faith-based organization and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizational status from the IRS. The organization continues to grow in scope as a network, ever increasing the number of local internationals served and the network capabilities with which this service is achieved. The beauty of KIN is found in unified ministry and in the tapestry of intercultural relationships formed.
