Advent House, formerly known as Terrace House, was purchased in 1980 from the estate of Dr. Ira Childs, a university professor. Dr. Childs often provided housing for worthy students and had stipulated that the house continue to be used to serve the needs of students. This factor helped make the purchase of the house affordable to the church and a seemingly divinely appointed opportunity.

Through the vision of Harold and Beverly Duckett, the Knoxville First Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Advent House is the official ministry presence of the Adventist church at the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, a campus with around 27,000 students. Many of the students who meet here are from other area schools and some are recent graduates who’ve made Knoxville their home and Advent House their social and spiritual community.

The residency program exists at Advent House to provide low-cost housing and leadership opportunities. Residents are asked to support the ministry through regular attendance at events, helping to keep the house in good order and welcoming those who come to the house for events or just to hang out.

In 2005, the North American Division established Adventist Christian Fellowship organization led by former Advent House director, Pastor Ron Pickell. Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) is the umbrella organization for Adventist ministry on college and university campuses in the US, Bermuda and Canada.

The mission of ACF/NAD is to:

• Build Christian fellowship chapters on non-Adventist campuses that honor God and nurture the spiritual lives of students.

• Engage students in the mission of the Church through relational evangelism and Christ-like student fellowships.

• Empower local ACF chapters, churches and sponsors through pastoral support, professional training and access to resources.

Now Advent House is home to ACF @ UTK. It is the goal of ACF to facilitate an atmosphere of

• belonging to a community

• believing in an unbelievably loving God

• becoming a messenger of that love to others

ACF desires to encourage students to mature in their faith, minister to the needs of others, and be involved in mission.

Advent House is a place to study between classes, attend a Bible study, enjoy a home-cooked meal, seek guidance or counsel, be part of a Friday-night worship service or just hang out and take a nap during a free hour. And Advent House is a place to journey with God.

Thank you for taking this journey with us.