Renew Clinic hosted its third annual fundraiser, Shining Light in the Darkness, on July 18, 2024, at the Foundry, with over 200 attendees to celebrate.

During this unprecedented occasion, Williamson College President Dr. Ed Smith delivered a message of hope for graduates to earn college credit for completing Renew Clinic’s 12-week program and a 50% scholarship for graduates and their family members at Williamson College. There was an official signing with  Renew Clinic and Williamson College.

Williamson College is an institution of higher education that offers both graduate and undergraduate programs. The college equips, or prepares, students to be on mission in the world for Christ by teaching a curriculum that integrates faith with education.

Donovan Staley

Renew Clinic is a Christ-centered addiction treatment center that was started by the Knox County Church Network (KCCN). The KCCN formed Renew Clinic as their first and primary initiative.

Since opening in 2021, Renew Clinic has provided IOP services, family support, interventions, marriage counseling, recovery coaching, educational workshops and conferences. The executive director, Sarah Keel, and the clinical director, T.K. Hindman, are both in recovery from opioid addictions, both speaking at the fundraising event.

Keel shared her vision for Renew Clinic and introduced the unprecedented signing of Williamson College scholarships to Renew Clinic graduates.

Hindman shared testimonies of two clinic graduates along with video testimonies of overcoming alcohol and drug addiction from LeeAnn, Marcus and Bradley, also clinic graduates.

Pastor Seth Hammond

Donovan Staley shared his story of living in California, surrounded by a life of alcohol and drugs when a move to Knoxville changed everything.  He found hope in the Christ-centered recovery he received through Renew Clinic.

The evening began with Seth Hammond, lead pastor of Christ Covenant Church and member of KCCN, leading with prayer. It ended with Pastor Hammond announcing an anonymous donor would be matching all gifts dollar for dollar up to $50,000.

In addition, a silent auction raised $6,000 due to the generosity of multiple donors of paintings, events and items.

The sponsors for the evening included WhiteTail Properties Real Estate, Trinity Advisors, Williamson College, UT Medical Center, Covenant Health, Dawn Walsh/ Wallace Real Estate, Enrichment Federal Credit Union, HomeChoice Windows, Doors and Floors, and Citizen Agency.

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