Brian Milano
The Three Angels Mission Group, formed in Manchester, Tenn., two years ago, is continuing its outreach and growth, increasing weekly attendance, and solidifying a permanent worship location as the city’s first Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The mission group, which began holding regular services in early 2023, has grown from fewer than 10 members to 21 official members as of December 2026, with weekly attendance reaching between 30 and 35 people. The congregation now meets in a rented building along a main road in Manchester.
“This has been something people talked about for more than 20 years,” said Cliff McIntyre, pastor, who has helped lead the mission effort. “There was always the desire, but it took time for the right opportunity to come together. Now the work is continuing.”
The mission group was supported initially by members from churches in Tullahoma and Murfreesboro in Tennessee. While those congregations remain nearby, church leaders said the lack of a local Adventist church in Manchester created a gap for residents who were unable to travel.
“Without a presence here, you can’t really reach people,” said McIntyre. “There are people in Manchester who never go to the surrounding towns, and there was no Adventist church here at all.”
After meeting for roughly a year in another denominational church, the congregation relocated to its current building in 2025. The property was purchased by a private investor and made available for rent, allowing the church to adapt the space for worship, classes, and community engagement.
“We searched for well over a year for something we could afford,” said McIntyre. “Places like this just don’t open up often. It really felt like God opened the door at the right time.”
The mission group also received substantial donated furnishings from another local church that closed. Chairs, a pulpit, a piano, sound equipment, and other supplies were given to the Manchester group before it had even secured a permanent meeting place.
Phyllis Starks, a founding member of the mission group, said the church has seen steady interest from residents who were previously unconnected to the denomination. Outreach efforts have included an evangelistic series, ongoing Bible studies, mailed flyers, and door-to-door visits.
Named for the three angels’ messages of Revelation, the church emphasizes Bible-based teaching, small-group studies, and personal outreach.
“The Bible Belt can be challenging because everyone says they already have a church,” said Starks. “But, when people start seeing what the Bible actually says, it opens their eyes. Our prayer is that lives will continue to be changed because this church is here.”
A Manchester Hispanic Mission Group was also launched October 15, 2024, expanding the outreach and ministry efforts in the Manchester area.
Kentucky-Tennessee | April 2026
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