ABOUTUS




Hello and Welcome!

From the moment you step inside at New Hope Baptist Church, we hope you are welcomed as if you are visiting friends or family and greeted with genuine smiles. The reason you are visiting our church (or any church for that matter) is to worship and hear God's Word. But it can be hard to start off in the right mindset for authentic worship if your first impression is a grumpy hello or to be ignored completely. That's why our goal is to always make our visitors and members feel seen, welcomed, and encouraged. 

Spreading God's Word

New Hope Baptist Church was formed in January 1980 and the first services were held in the gymnasium at Alnwick Elementary School. 


The first pastor was the late Brother Wallace Cable.

In 1981, work began on what is now the permanent home on Dotson Memorial Road. 


The original sanctuary seated approximately 100 people. By the winter of 1984 the church began an expansion project that added 150 more seats and 7 new classrooms, under the leadership of Pastor Brooky Gray & Associate Pastor Ronnie Steele.


In April 2001, work began on a new addition, and on June 9, 2002 the first service was held in the new 500+ seat sanctuary. 


In 2014, we added our Education Building which includes our Children & Youth Ministries.


In 2022, Phase 1 of our Pavilion began, adding covered outdoor seating and a firepit area. Phase 2 will include adding bathrooms and additional storage.


Pastor Nick Payne, our Youth Pastor, joined the staff full-time beginning in 2025 and taking on the additional role of Associate Pastor. 


New Hope is continuing to grow, and with Pastor Mike's leadership, we will continue to glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do. 





Our Staff

The staff and leadership here at New Hope Baptist Church is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for everyone in our church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, please email us at info@newhopeibc.org, call our church office 865-982-3414, or CLICK HERE to send an email. 

  • Mike Parker- Senior Pastor


    Pastor Mike began attending New Hope Baptist Church in 1980 as a Charter Member. In 1994, he surrendered to the call of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


    In 1996, New Hope was without a Pastor and Pastor Mike was voted in as interim/bi-vocational Pastor. The Lord continued to bless New Hope throughout the years and in 2008, Pastor Mike became the full-time Pastor.


    He has been married to his precious wife Debbie since 1986 and she has been such a vital support to his ministry. Proverbs 31:10 states: "Who can find a virtous woman? For her price is far above rubies."  Together they have two amazing children, Josh and Rachel.


    Pastor Mike's passion can be found in the words of the Apostle Paul written in Ephesians 4:11-13: "And he gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

  • Nick Payne- Associate Pastor / Youth Pastor

    Meet Nick Payne, our Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor at New Hope Baptist Church. He began attending NHBC when he was just 15 years old, and it was here that the Lord first spoke to his heart and called him into ministry. At the age of 17, he announced his calling to preach, and since 2011, he has faithfully served as Youth Pastor, guiding and mentoring the next generation of believers with a heart for discipleship and service.

    He has been married to his wife, Danielle, since 2014, and she is an integral part of the ministry, supporting and serving alongside him in various ways. Together, they have two children, Harper and Bryer.

    He has a deep passion for seeing young people grow in their faith and is committed to helping them build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through his leadership, he strives to create an environment where youth can explore their faith, be equipped for service, and develop a lifelong commitment to the gospel.

  • Trey Smith- Choir Director

    Trey does more than lead worship here at New Hope. His love for God is evident throughout the services. 


    Trey grew up in the Maryville area and his family joined New Hope when he was young. He has developed many great relationships in the New Hope family, but the most important relationship was when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 11. 


    He, his wife Stephanie and their four (4) precious children, have been attending and serving at New Hope for many years. 


    Trey says "The Lord has been so good to me and I thank Him for His grace and mercy. God has given me the opportunity and privilege to serve Him through worship."


    Trey loves that worshiping our Savior has a way of connecting us no matter what age. His prayer before any service is that when we enter the church, that our hearts and minds are ready to praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

  • Donnie "Pudge" Smith- Music Director

    Donnie Pudge Smith is our music leader and has been at New Hope Baptist Church since 1999. Pudge was saved October 1987.


    He has been married to his wife, Patti, since 1984, and she has supported him for 41 years in the music ministry. They have 2 children Trey and Nathan, 2 wonderful daughter in laws, Stephanie and Katie, also 5 grandchildren. The Lord has blessed our family.

  • Donna Russell- Secretary / Administrator

    Meet Donna Russell, our church secretary and office admininstrator. Donna joined  New Hope in 2010 and was "called" to serve in the church office in 2016. Although she had no plans in changing jobs, God had other plans. Donna consider's serving in the office as a ministry and hopes to share the love of Jesus and His Word with anyone that God places in her path.


    Donna has been married to Mike since 1995. They have 1 son, Dylan, a daughter-in-love Fabiola, and 2 beautiful grandchildren, BJ and Joyce. 

More About?

Want to know more about our beliefs? 

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired; that it is truth without mixture of error; and that it is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried. Read more about our BELIEFS


Want to know more about Jesus? 

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14  To learn more about Jesus Christ and how you can have a personal relationship with Him. JESUS