Making God known by modeling the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ
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Most people are shocked to learn that nearly half of college students are food insecure. This means that they don't know where their next meal is coming from. Hope House provides free meals to students five days a week but it's more than a feeding program. It's an open door and a home away from home. It's acceptance without asking anything in return. It is a model of Christ's radical hospitality in action. Please consider giving today to help us keep nourishing stomachs and souls.
IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN A MEAL...
It is a place where students from all walks of life gather to eat, study, worship, pray and fellowship.
We strive to provide a place everyday where students feel safe and loved.
What we do here is simple.
view our faqs
check out our faqs for answers to some practical questions. We are a campus ministry that is sponsored by UKirk (PCUSA and Cumberland Presbyterian churches) and who believes her mission is to offer the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ. But that is who we are. It's not who we expect you to be.
wondering exactly who we are?
reach out to us
She started her career opening and managing several restaurants. She continued her passion for cooking and serving in the catering arena. Denise has been a volunteer for The Grundy County Food Recovery Program for the past six years. She has worked in the kitchen at the Hope House as a volunteer since Spring 2022 and served on the Hoopla auction committee for the past two years. Denise officially began working on July 15th and says “it will be impossible to replace Terry as Director of Hospitality”but she is looking forward to sharing her own passion for creative cooking, meeting new people and continuing the welcoming environment for the students.
Denise Schenk is a native Chattanooga resident and the mother of two. She holds a degree in Consumer Studies from UTC.
Director of Hospitality: Denise Schenk
She is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and community engagement among the student body. Her approach to spiritual formation is characterized by a profound respect for diversity, recognizing that each student's spiritual path is uniquely their own. Tiffanie lives in Chattanooga with her husband and their three children. Her academic background encompasses Biblical studies, Theology, Leadership and Spiritual Formation. She loves people, enjoys being near the water, and is always up for an adventure!
Tiffanie joined Hope House in September of 2023 and was immediately drawn in by the welcoming culture at HH.
Executive Director / Campus Minister:
Dr. Tiffanie Wilson
our staff
Suzanne Ness
Janice Gooden
Mike Morrison
Hannah Richards
Treasurer - Dru Schenk
Secretary - Jay Wilkinson
Vice Moderator - Becky Geren
Moderator - TORIA WILLIAMS
our amazing board of directors:
Heather Shaw
interested in an internship?
We have student interns that can help you feel right at home at Hope House.
more info on ukirk
The PCUSA's young adult office thought it might be helpful if all campus ministries were known by a similar name. UKirk stands for University Church, and is the name given (or in our case added on to our name) to let PCUSA and Cumberland Presbyterian students know who we are. UKirk is staffed by the PCUSA denomination and has a board made up of campus ministers and chaplains across the country.
PCUSA collegiate ministries are known by a variety of names across the country which can be confusing to newly graduated high school students trying to navigate where they fit in on a college campus.
what is ukirk?
return to questions
Good question. We are a campus ministry that is sponsored by UKirk (PCUSA and Cumberland Presbyterian churches) and who believes her mission is to offer the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ. But that is who we are. It's not who we expect you to be. We expect you to bring your real and authentic self into this space. Our primary ministry is often around supporting/advocating/journeying alongside our more marginalized communities. Did you know that almost 50% of college students across the country identify as food insecure? We try to provide resources, in the form of food (we always have an open fridge), space, and technology.
So what is Hope?
return to questions
We do offer those things, but it's not expected that you have to come to them. Some students are seeking a progressive campus ministry to share about the Bible and God and how those things inform the way we are to live in the world. But it's not necessary to participate in any programs in order to make our space your space. In fact, most don't.
So wait. Do you have like worship or bible study?
return to questions
Not only are we welcoming, we are affirming of the Queer community, and we hope to be a space that allows every one to feel joy in their authentic self.
Are you LGBTQIA+ welcoming?
return to questions
Then Hope is still a home for you. Our identity is about who we are. We have students here who identify as christian (conservative, evangelical, progressive, unsure), we have Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu students; there are those who identify as Wiccan or Pagan; we have students of multi-faiths; and some who are agnostic or atheist. Many are on the path of exploration. Honestly, sometimes we look around our space at the diversity of culture, religion, languages, ethnicities and think, "This is what the kingdom of heaven looks like."
So you're a christian campus ministry, right? What if I don't believe in God?
our faqs
To me, Hope House has been a sanctuary where I can come and be myself unapologetically and without hesitation. It gives me a place to come when I want a quiet space, genuine advice, a comfy seat or a bite to fill my stomach. Starting from the lovely smiles that greet me to the soft felt “have a good day” when I leave, the Hope House is a gem, and I will always treasure it.
"to me, Hope House has been a sanctuary where I can come and be myself"
There is a wonderful community of kind people; always loads of laughs and smiles; and an aura of peace that pervades into every interaction. It's my home away from home, and it's the community that helps me positively take on my studies and endeavors.
"Hope House is amazing!"
The Hope House gives me the opportunity to express myself and be around people who I know care for others. From fun activities to more spiritual activities, I can tell you that the Hope House is the place to be. Warm and Welcoming atmosphere. Please come in.
