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While the idea of a men's transitional housing program has been tossed around amongst The Mission leadership for several years, it only began to form into a real possibility in the summer of 2021. For ten years, people had been leaving Hancock County and going into treatment programs, only to successfully complete them and then never return home.

Granted, this is the best case scenario for many people - one of the first things that has to happen to get clean and sober is to change one's "people, places, and things." However, there are some people who would like to at least have an option to come back home without having to move back into a situation that is dangerous to their sobriety. Also, to bring hope back into the county, some of the success stories have to have the ability to come back!

Another situation that comes up on a regular basis is that of men who are being released from incarceration at the Hancock County Jail and have no safe place to call home when they walk out the door. In July 2021, a small trailer was rented to temporarily house a man who was facing this exact situation. He had been incarcerated for a few years and the only places he had to go when he was released would have quickly led him back into the same lifestyle that had landed him in jail in the beginning.

Three months later, a three bedroom home in Sneedville became available and the Greenes were able to purchase the property, with the intent of The Mission transforming it into a place to address these housing dilemmas. The house has now been renovated into a beautiful home that will house up to 5 men (including the house manager). An open house and dedication service was hosted in April 2024 to mark the beginning of this new journey.

When you read the New Testament, you won't go far before you encounter the concept of discipleship. Few relationships are a better model of this idea than that of Paul and Timothy. As the plans were being made for this program, this concept was at the forefront of discussion regarding the vision for the relationships that will be formed with the men who become residents.

Scripture can be taken from several of Paul's letters, but especially Philippians and the two letters to Timothy, that outline the character that the men in the program will be expected to strive toward. Throughout the fall of 2021, while the plans were being made to move forward with the project, different variations of the name were tossed around, but it was certain to focus on discipleship, and the life of Timothy just continued to stand out, as an example of being willing to accept advice and search for accountability through mentors and the other seasoned Christians around us.

There was never a more extraordinary example of the above Scripture than Tim Pratt.

If you ever met him, you came into contact with Jesus through him. You saw His light through Tim's blue eyes and you saw someone who loved like Jesus does, or at least as close as one can find here in this world. Though small in stature, he was a giant in the faith and an encouragement to more people than could ever be numbered. His smile was a mainstay of Fairview Knox Church. Every Sunday. Every Wednesday. Every outreach event. Every other Sunday afternoon. He was always there, faithfully serving and being Jesus - not just to the lost and hurting on the streets on Knoxville during Motel Ministry, but to the rest of us, too.

Shortly after the name of The Timothy Project was chosen, Tim Pratt passed away following a very brief battle with COVID-19. In an attempt to honor his life and legacy, the "Timothy" portion of the official logo is a replica of Tim's signature, and the first home opened as a part of the transitional housing portion of the ministry was named the Pratt House.

Tim's shoes will never be filled. No one could ever come close to taking that precious spot... but we can all learn and take inspiration from a life well-lived and strive to be more like him, and therefore more like Christ. His faith, character, and personality will continue to be an inspiration behind the vision of this program throughout the entirety of its existence.

"His Lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.'"

Matthew 25:23

The primary purpose of The Timothy Project is discipleship. One of the ways to foster growth for these men is to ensure residents on campus a safe place to maintain a sober lifestyle, while learning skills that will permit them to continue to prevent relapse and foster personal growth after leaving the program and transitioning into becoming a productive and thriving member of society.

The Mission is a ministry whose existence is solely dependent upon the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. As such, the atmosphere of The Timothy Project is expected to reflect that. This will be accomplished not only by the participation in Mission activities and regular church attendance, but by the conduct and behavior of all participants and staff, both inside and outside the house. Guidelines have been established to create boundaries that will encourage men to achieve the intended levels of personal and spiritual growth throughout their time in the program.

The Timothy Project goes beyond simply providing a safe and sober space for those living on campus. The program also includes discipleship for men who participate in recovery support meetings at The Mission, as well as those who are currently incarcerated and participating in the jail-to-work program.

These men are encouraged and taught how to maintain a sober lifestyle, partially by participating in these activities inside an environment that has been created with the goal of allowing them to separate from the expectations placed on them by the world and immerse themselves in a season of recovery, accountability, and discipleship. The vision is that this atmosphere will allow these men to walk back out the door as enriched men of God, able to walk in the fullness of God's calling on their lives.