My name is Brent Manor. I'm the founder of Kingdom Come Life along with my wife, Barbara. So here is the short version of how I got here:

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I grew up in a Catholic family, going to a Catholic school 1st thru 8th grade.  Never read a Bible, and was sure God was going the send me to hell. Became an atheist in 9th grade and studied science planning to be an anthropologist. I'm an avid reader and study things I take an interest in. Thought I had it all worked out... until I didn't. I had been taught in high school that they had figured out life came from the primordial soup of a young earth. Years later, scientists said "oops! sorry, we have no idea where life came from on Earth, so it must have come from outer space.

 Enter-agnostic. I got no idea who or what is in charge if anything.

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So life goes on until my mother suddenly passes away. I had a history of never being there for my close family members when they needed me the most, and I was at the end of my rope. My son who was a believer set up a service at his church for grandma.  While I was at the service, I was depressed and just wanted out of this place. I'd only once been in a protestant church, and I didn't like it. I found out that day that my mom had been saved in that church just a few months before her death. At the end of the service, I was looking for a quick exit. The preacher was saying something I don't remember, and I suddenly felt this intense surge in me. This need to ask for forgiveness. I ran up and got on my knees and told God if you're real, I need you right now. 

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Well, I found Jesus. I gave my life to Him. I read the Bible over and over. Different translations, different study bibles. I was mentored by several pastors and took classes through several different Christian colleges. I’ve been ordained by 2 denominations. I was and am committed to serve Christ in any way I can. But one lingering question bothered me: With only one book- the Bible, why are there over 1500 Christian denominations in the US alone? Why 39,000 denominations in the world? Another question that bothered me. Why is the history of the church abandoned? Atheists know the history better that 90% of Christians. We went on to plant a church-Athens Vineyard Church. We said the same thing we are saying now- we need to be discipled, we need to be a loving, caring church. We did all kinds of things in our community- giving away school supplies, doing "drive-by barbecues"- just showing up in lower-income neighborhoods and grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. Having "feed the need" dinners every Wednesday at the church. Our people were so blessed and honored to do these things for those in need. Over the course of 2 decades, I have spent a tremendous amount of time reading, listening, and being mentored by saints and scholars.

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So here we are. We've lived in Knoxville now for 10 years. And after COVID-19, and the outbreak of an important social justice movement, we know it's time to plant here, in a city we love. We see the need and we see the technology is available to do "church" safely, but still build community.  It is time to show our community what being a disciple looks like.