Upward trending attendance leads to new Hope+Stand home

New Hope+Stand Church campus officially opens Sunday at 9:30am

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The pastors and members of Hope+Stand Church have transformed what was once a Hecks Discount Store and later a BIG LOTS! into the newest and most modern worship facility in the region. Once you drive onto the newly paved, large parking lot and step inside the building, you know you are in your new home.

Cumberland Hope Community Church and The Stand came together in 2015 at Cumberland Hope’s Towe String Road location with Co-Pastors Billy Smith and Joey Smith from their respective churches. “Attendance has trended up since,” said St. John. An about a hundred or so weekly attendance has steadily increased so much, in fact, the church grew to three Sunday morning services; 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am. “People love different service times, and we now have two in the new building at 9:30am and 11:00,” said St. John.

Some changes church goers will notice right off are the increase in greeters from two to 14 plus the three entrances as worship guides are handed out. The fire marshal places the capacity numbers in the sanctuary a shade more than 500. “We have 360 seats and can add more,” said St. John.

Of the 41,000 square feet facility only 26,000 was developed leaving room to grow. There’s so much more space for modern technology including room for kids, according to St. John.

As you enter, the membership (and multi-purpose) room is immediately to your right. To the left of the entrance is a small kitchen, cafeteria area. “You know we’re big on coffee,” St. John laughs. Common Ground Coffee Shop in Downtown La Follette is a ministry of Hope+Stand.

The church is unique in that there is not a traditional Sunday School per say. Members actually come together in small groups for Bible Study at a time and venue, a home, a restaurant, that works for them through the week. Children’s Church takes place simultaneously with adult church. Then there’s Saturday’s 9am prayer service at the church. St. John credits that weekly time in prayer with the church’s success.

Every member is involved, engaged in some way with Hope+Stand. St. John says everyone has a place to showcase their talent, grow their faith and serve the Lord. “Everyone has a purpose,” said St. John.

Welcome home. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/30/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)