The Off the Grid Project was created for the purpose of providing outdoor programs for pastoral staff to disconnect, be refreshed and build relationships with people that have a common purpose.
The “Off the Grid Project” is different than most pastoral conferences or conventions. Our focus is to help pastors break away from the demands and stress of their ministries. To have the time to reflect and evaluate their personal lives and ministry. Our desire is that each pastor will return with clarity, eagerness, and refreshment to further the Kingdom of God. Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
For more information on Off the Grid events, contact Kevin Perrigan kperrigan@tnbaptist.org or 423-623-2764.
Event Descriptions
April 7-9, 2025 – Pastors Backpacking Trip – Newport $95 Experience a three-day, two-night backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. You will experience approximately 5 miles each day of the seclusion of the backcountry of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a total of 14 miles. We will begin our journey on the Appalachian Trail at Sams Gap at 3,700 ft. We will stay our first night near Big Stamp 4,994 ft along the trail. We will hike through several amazing views. The second night we will stay near Little Bald at 5,168 ft. Both nights we will experience an open view of the sky. We will see several shelters and many incredible vista views. We will end our trip at Spivey Gap at 3,200 ft. During this trip you will experience 3 days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with like-minded pastors. REGISTER
May 5-7, 2025 – Golf Tour – Linden $250 The Off the Grid Golf Tour will be a three-day, two-night event. You will enjoy playing on a different golf course each day. Each Pastor will stay two nights at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday morning at your first course (Ross Creek). Later that afternoon you will check in to the conference center at Linden Valley where you will have a delicious dinner and great fellowship. Day two, you will wake to a full breakfast and then off to (Pickwick Landing) in the middle of Pickwick Landing State Park. You will come back to Linden Valley for another delicious meal and then relax in the setting of Buffalo River. On day three, you will start with your final breakfast at Linden Valley and then on to (Tennessee River Golf Club). Each day pastors will experience great fun and relaxation of playing on great courses. The purpose of the Off the Grid Golf Tour is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. Cost includes two nights in the conference center, four meals and three course/cart fees. REGISTER
May 16-17, 2025– Missions & Ministry Women Leaders Hiking Trip – Newport $71 Experience two days of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and spend the night in the beautifully renovated Maple Lodge at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center.
On the first day, we will meet at 12:30 PM at Carson Springs and drive to the trail entrance. Here we will experience an approximately five-mile round trip to Alum Cave Bluff. The trail begins by crossing Walker Camp Prong and Alum Cave Creek on log bridges, leading hikers through an old-growth hardwood forest. Hiking through the narrow tunnel of Arch Rock is a highlight of the hike. As the trail climbs up, we reach a rocky outcrop known as Inspiration Point after 2 miles. This is a good place to view the rugged valley while surrounded by mountains. You will be 3,061 ft.
The second day we have breakfast together then hike part of the Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion. This 8 mile trail gains 1800 feet elevation so you may want to bring a trekking pole. Charlie’s Bunion is known for its stunning views of the Smoky Mountains as far as you can see.
These are strenuous hikes so participants should be prepared for lots of hills on uneven terrain, and crossing creeks on slick rocks. Bring good hiking shoes, a water bottle, snacks for the trail, and a hiking pole, if desired.
If there is enough interest, there will be a second group of non-hikers who can stay and play at Carson Springs, enjoying some unplugged time with other women or even some solitude. There are board games, short, walking, trails, books, and rocking chairs to relax and enjoy the days. The hiking group will join you in the evenings for a campfire and s’mores.
During this trip you will experience two days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with mission- and ministry-minded women.
Cost is $71 for the first night and breakfast on Saturday. If you’d like to stay the second night, you can pay an additional $45 on arrival. REGISTER
May
19-22, 2025 – Motorcycle Tour – Linden $265 A three-day, three-night event. Enjoy a beautiful ride across the state of Tennessee in the Springs time. You will begin your journey by arriving at Linden Valley Baptist Conference center on Monday night. After a restful sleep you will wake to breakfast prepared by the Linden Valley staff. You will then ride to Lynnville for lunch and then to Fall Creek Falls. Your second night will be in the great town of Athens. After breakfast you will ride to Tellico Plains, Cherohala Skyway and Deals Gap for Lunch. You will then ride the Dragon and end your day at the Smoky Mtn Harley Davidson in Maryville. And then on to Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center for your last night with dinner and great fellowship. After a filling breakfast Thursday morning you are free to hit the road for your home. Each day pastors will enjoy new experiences on the road with good fellowship. The purpose is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. The cost includes 2 nights at each of our conference centers, one night in Athens, and three meals. Meals that are on the road are at your expense.
July 30-August 5, 2025 – Off the Grid Rocky Mountains – Colorado $1,100 An opportunity for those that have some backpacking experience. We will fly into Colorado Springs on July 29. We will spend one day working with a church planter. We will have the opportunity to encourage the pastor as well as help in his ministry for a day. We will spend Jul. 31 through Aug 3 on “4 Pass Loop”. The head of the trail is south of Aspen. Four Pass Loop is a backpacking trip through the striking Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The route gets its name from the four 12,000 ft. passes it traverses: Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon. Many hikers take 3-4 days to complete this loop, with optional side trips to Geneva Lake and Willow Pass. You’ll pass through meadows covered in wildflowers, alpine lakes, lush forests, and exposed rocky passes. Aug. 4 will be a debrief and rest day. We will fly back home on Aug. 5. There will be a limited number of participants. The max number will be 10 but there is a waiting list. REGISTER
September 8-10, 2025 – Ministers’ Wives Backpacking Trip – Newport $95 Experience a three-day, two-night backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. You will experience approximately 6.7 miles each day of the seclusion of the backcountry of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a total of 20.3 miles. We will begin our journey on the Appalachian Trail at Devil Fork Gap at 3,300 ft. We will stay our first night near Big Butt at 5,000 ft. Big Butt is a panoramic view of 360 degrees. You will be able to see our next campsite from that point which will be 6.7 miles away. We will hike through several open fields with amazing views. The second night we will stay near Camp Creek Bald @ 4,900 ft. Both nights we will experience an open view of the sky. We will see several shelters and many incredible vista views. We will end our trip at Allen Gap at 2,300 ft. During this trip you will experience three days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with other ministers’ wives. REGISTER
September 22-25, 2025 – Motorcycle Tour – Newport $200 The Off the Grid Motorcycle Tour will be a three-day, three-night event. Each pastor will stay all three nights at Carson Springs Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday evening after dinner for some fellowship time. Tuesday & Wednesday morning, they will enjoy breakfast at Carson Sprigs then on the road for lunch and to tour of the mountains of east Tennessee. They will explore new restaurants each day to gather for lunch. After a leisurely ride they will come back to Carson Springs for dinner each evening and a time gathering around the fire in the conference center lobby to share stories. Each day pastors will experience new experiences on the road with good fellowship. Thursday morning after breakfast they will depart for home. The purpose is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. REGISTER
September 29-October 1, 2025 – Golf Tour – Newport $270 The Off the Grid Golf Tour will be a three-day, two-night event. You will enjoy playing on a different golf course each day. Each pastor will stay two nights at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center and enjoy breakfast and dinner each day during their stay. They will arrive Monday morning at your first course (Clench View Golf Course). Later that afternoon you will check in to the conference center at Carson Springs where you will have a delicious dinner and great fellowship. Day two, you will wake to a full breakfast and then off to (Sevierville Golf Club) in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains. You will come back to Carson Springs for another delicious meal and then relax in the setting of English Mountain. On day three, you will start with your final breakfast at Carson Springs and then on to (Dandridge Country Club). Each day pastors will experience great fun and relaxation of playing on great courses. The purpose of the Off the Grid Golf Tour is for each pastor to break away and disconnect from their everyday ministry to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with like-minded ministers. Cost includes two nights in the conference center, four meals and three course/cart fees. REGISTER
October 3-4, 2025 – Missions & Ministry Women Leaders Hiking Trip – Newport $85
Experience a two-day get-away at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center, situated on the banks of the beautiful Buffalo River. You will spend one night at the Conference Center. The registration fee covers your overnight stay plus dinner on Friday evening, breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
There will be a hiking option and a “stay and play/gardening” option. Those who opt to hike will travel together to Mousetail Landing State Park for a 3 mile hike (or an 8 mile more difficult option — depending on the group’s preference). As we enjoy the woods, trails, lake and fields, we will share God stories, funny experiences, mission outreach ideas, and just enjoy being together in God’s creation. Kim Cruse will facilitate the hiking group.
Those who opt to stay at the camp can choose to help clean up the camp’s gardens, mulch, or plant fall bulbs, fish by the river, go for a walk and look for deer, play board/card games, relax on the swings and rocking chairs, or bring a craft project to work on. Martha Pitts will facilitate this time.
On Friday evening, the two groups will join together for a bonfire with s’mores, storytelling and laughter.
Aside from morning devotions, there are no “sessions”. Just free time to relax and enjoy being together or alone with the Lord, or some of both.
During this trip you will experience two days of beautiful scenery and good fellowship with mission- and ministry-minded women.
We will meet at Linden Valley Conference Center at 1pm on Friday and finish before supper on Saturday. Cost $85. You may stay a second night if you choose for an additional $45, payable upon arrival. REGISTER
October 7-13, 2025 – Fly Fishing Trip — Montana $1500 Different than the small streams experience in East Tennessee. It provides a excitement and anticipation of big fish, big rivers and more time to disconnect. The trip is more remote and unfamiliar which gives the pastor more of a disconnect and reliance on one another. The OTG Montana trip provides more than three days to disconnect, it provides a full six days which includes time on the river, fellowship as well as a ministry element by connecting with a local church planter. We will be flying into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and staying in a beautiful cabin overlooking the Montana mountains. We will spend four days on Yellowstone River catching big trout and enjoying the incredible landscape of Montana. REGISTER
October 20-22, 2025 – Pastors’ Backpacking Trip – Newport $95 Experience a three-day two-night backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail. You will experience approximately eight miles each day of the seclusion of the backcountry of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a total of 22miles. We will begin our journey on the Appalachian Trail at Devil Fork Gap at 3,300 ft. We will stay our first night at 4,130 ft along the trail. We will hike through several open fields with amazing views. The second night we will stay near Camp at Divide Mountain at 4,403 ft. Both nights we will experience an open view of the sky. We will see several shelters and many incredible vista views. We will end our trip at Spivey Gap at 3,200 ft. During this trip you will experience three days of beautiful scenery, no cell phones and good fellowship with like-minded pastors. REGISTER