Chattanooga Fellows Program

Happy Thanksgiving, Chattanooga! Wishing you a day filled with gratitude, love, and community.

We can’t wait for this Lunch + Learn. Alumni, reach out to us for a discount code!

“Because you are there at your place of business, in your field, wherever you are, how is it going to change because you were there? How does God want you to show up and change that landscape for his purpose?” Last Friday, we had the chance to meet with MyChelle Richardson Pinkerton, LMFT to hear about her vocational journey and what God has taught her through her work. We’re so grateful for stories like MyChelle’s that remind us to orient ourselves around our calling to follow Jesus. Earlier this year, Mychelle contributed to the Faith Co-Op blog. Check out the interview to hear her vocational story! https://lnkd.in/e9KZzEhf

“Gratitude is an engine of joy.” Cornelius Plantinga How often do you pause to name and notice the people, places, or processes that sustain your life and work? At the start of Thanksgiving week, I am amazed by just how many incredible women and men sustain the Chattanooga Fellows Program. Only a few months into the 2025-26 year, the Fellows have learned from six professors, eight vocational lunch speakers, over ten nonprofit organizations, eleven excellent employers, and countless others through radically ordinary hospitality. That’s not to mention the countless hidden moments of wisdom and encouragement. This is an amazing city full of talented and faithful weekday saints. To quote the philosopher-band Wilco, “Love is here, beware // Love is everywhere.” I hope this week allows us to pause and see it! Huge thanks to our Faith Co-Op team: Jonathan Ingraham and Melissa Pipkin! And to our amazing board: Kaysie Strickland, Troy Rogers, Lakweshia Ewing, Clark Taylor, Megan Cassell, CPA, Chris Gregory, Dustin A. Koehl, Michael B. Wakefield, Bill Stiles, and Dylan Honeycutt.

Do you know someone who may be interested in a year of professional development, intentional community, spiritual formation, and civic service? Early application deadline for the 2025-2026 class is this Friday! For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/dp7h7-uv.

Some incredible W&L and UVA alumni have loved the Fellows Program! Find them tagged in these pictures or give us a shout if you'd like to connect with them.

We think so too!

Today is a full day at the Faith Co-Op office. The Chattanooga Fellows Program is having its weekly class with Fellows alum, Sylvia Carpenter, where they are walking through Dan Allender’s book, To Be Told. In our new event space we have just under 30 women gathered for the Women, Work, & Calling conference watch party. One of Faith Co-Op’s desired outcomes is to give Christians from different professions and backgrounds a place to gather and grow together as they wrestle with how to glorify God through their work and service. Humbled to see that goal being revealed through these thoughtful men and women looking to seek Christ in all of life.

Yesterday I had the privilege of listening in on most of the Chattanooga Fellows Program “Views of Work” presentations. This class has been part of the program for almost 2 months now and I am so encouraged by their thoughtfulness and desire to seek the Lord in all of life, including the vocations they are pursuing! Shoutout to Ralston Hartness for his steadfast leadership of this group!

Vocational Lunches are an incredible moment every week when Fellows learn from wise women and men about their careers, vocations, and lessons along the way. Today’s guest was former U.S. Senator and Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker. Senator Corker impressed upon the Fellows the importance of asking “how can I help?” regardless of win or loss or party affiliation. He left them with the advice that civic engagement begins with cultivating a deep passion and love for the things God calls you to do - work, family, community, and the needs around you.