Save the Music Foundation

About the Organization

Organization category

Religious Organization

Country / State

United States / Tennessee

Mission

The Movement Apostolic Training Center, an educational arm of First Apostolic Church of Maryville, Inc., equips young adults and emerging leaders with practical skills, professional training, and hands-on experience to serve churches, nonprofits, and community organizations. Through focused programs in media production, sound, recording, and related technical competencies, we prepare individuals to support and strengthen the work of nonprofit and community-based groups with excellence, reliability, and impact.

Programs or services

The Movement Apostolic Training Center delivers high-impact, skills-based training that builds the operational capacity of nonprofits and community organizations while creating clear pathways for young adults into meaningful technical careers. Our core offerings include:
• Professional Media Production & Technical Training Program
Intensive, hands-on instruction in live sound engineering, multi-camera recording, audio mixing, video production, livestreaming, and post-production. Participants graduate ready to staff and support events, services, and content creation for nonprofit and community organizations.
• Nonprofit Technical Support & Capacity-Building Partnerships
Structured placements and service projects in which trained production technicians provide pro-bono or low-cost sound, recording, and media support to local nonprofits, churches, and community groups—directly increasing those organizations’ ability to communicate, document impact, and reach broader audiences.
• Workforce Development & Career Pathways Track
Career-focused training that combines technical skills with workplace readiness, portfolio development, and connections to employment or contract opportunities in the nonprofit and community media sectors.
• Youth & Emerging Leader Technical Apprenticeship
Targeted program for young adults that pairs classroom and studio instruction with real-world production experience, building both technical competence and professional confidence while addressing local needs for reliable media and event support.
• Community Access Studio & Equipment Resource Hub
Shared studio space and equipment made available to partner nonprofits and community organizations for recording, training, and content production—extending the impact of the Center’s resources beyond individual trainees.
• Ongoing Professional Development & Continuing Education Workshops
Short-term advanced workshops and skill-refresh

Detailed programs

The Movement Apostolic Training Center is a dedicated off-campus ministry training facility currently being remodeled by First Apostolic Church of Maryville. Its purpose is to equip the next generation of Apostolic leaders with specialized, hands-on training so they can transition seamlessly into full-time ministry and multiply churches and leaders nationwide.
Core Training Focus
The Center delivers comprehensive, replicable ministry models integrated with core biblical education. Training is designed for practical application and immediate deployment rather than purely academic study. Primary audiences and tracks include:
• USA Church Planters — Practical systems for launching and establishing new Apostolic churches, including discipleship pathways, leadership development, and sustainable growth models drawn from FAC’s own proven track record of growing from ~15–20 members in 1984 to well over 1,000 members today.
• Foreign Missionaries — Training focused on cross-cultural ministry, revival tools, and support structures that align with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) missions emphasis (Pastor Kenneth Carpenter has served as General Superintendent since 2013 and is recognized for foreign missions leadership).
• Music Ministers — Hands-on development of worship leaders and musicians, building on the church’s School of Music (80–90 students annually), 150+ voice sanctuary choir, and Apostolic Collective (in-house writing group and music/video studio that has produced four full albums plus singles). Training covers Spirit-led worship culture, songwriting, production, and team leadership.
• Student and Children’s Pastors — Specialized preparation for youth and children’s ministry, drawing from StrongTower Student Ministries and KidzQuest. Includes curriculum design, event programming, discipleship of next-generation leaders, and integration of athletics/character development (supported by the church’s championship sports programs and new outdoor sports complex).
• Church Production / Marketing Teams — Training in media, graphics, video, social media, and live production. FAC’s production and social media departments already reach millions of viewers (2025 combined platforms: 221,605 followers and 13.26 million impressions). Students learn to create high-quality content that extends the gospel beyond the local campus.
Program Design & Delivery
Training emphasizes:
• Replicable systems drawn from FAC’s actual ministry structure (Education, Hospitality, Outreach, Development, Arts, Technology, Upkeep, and Multi-Cultural divisions).
• Hands-on practice inside a functioning multi-ministry environment that includes a full K–12 academy, licensed daycare, addiction recovery programs, Spanish-language ministry, community outreach, and the annual Movement Conference.
• Biblical and doctrinal foundation combined with practical tools for disciple-making, church growth, and leadershi

Target Audience

The Movement Apostolic Training Center serves a dual audience of emerging leaders and the organizations that need their skills:
Primary Audience – Emerging Leaders & Trainees (Ages 18–30)
Young adults and emerging leaders seeking practical training and hands-on experience across multiple ministry and technical tracks, including:
• Media production, sound, recording, livestreaming, and technology
• Music leadership and production
• Church planting
• Overseas missions planting
• Student and children’s ministries
These participants are equipped through structured programs that combine skill development, real-world application, and leadership preparation—creating clear pathways into service, employment, and long-term impact.
Secondary Audience – Churches, Nonprofits & Community Organizations
Local churches, nonprofits, community groups, and faith-based organizations across the greater Blount County / East Tennessee region (and partner networks beyond) that need trained personnel and technical support in the above areas.
These organizations benefit through deployed trainees, capacity-building partnerships, shared studio and equipment resources, and professional development opportunities that strengthen their ability to serve their communities effectively.
By developing skilled young leaders across these complementary tracks while simultaneously supporting the churches and nonprofits that need them, the Center builds a sustainable pipeline of trained talent and measurable capacity across the region.

Geographic Focus

United States, Tennessee (USA), Blount County (TN), Alcoa (TN), Knoxville (TN), Maryville (TN)

Current projects

Current Projects
Here is a clear, grant-ready summary of the church’s current projects drawn directly from the credibility worksheet:
1. Movement Apostolic Training Center (Primary Current Project)
We are actively remodeling a dedicated off-campus ministry training facility.
This center will deliver specialized, hands-on training for:
• USA church planters
• Foreign missionaries
• Music ministers
• Student and children’s pastors
• Church production and marketing teams
Students from across the nation will receive comprehensive, replicable ministry models integrated with core biblical education, enabling them to move directly into full-time ministry. The project already has site plans, cost estimates, fundraising strategies aligned with our giving history, and timelines that prioritize debt-free completion. This is the central initiative for long-term multiplication of Apostolic churches and leaders.
2. Sanctuary Capacity Expansion
Our main sanctuary is approaching full capacity.
We currently have detailed architectural and engineering plans in development to install stadium-style riser seating that will add approximately 800 additional seats. This is a phased, cost-effective upgrade that does not require new construction and will support continued church growth and larger revival events.
3. Academy & Daycare Sports and Education Complex
We are actively planning a major onsite sports and education complex that includes:
• A large gymnasium for basketball and volleyball games
• Two auxiliary gyms for practices and multi-purpose events
Once completed, the existing gymnasium will be remodeled into two stories of additional classroom space. This will significantly increase enrollment capacity for both Apostolic Christian Academy (K–12) and the daycare while expanding athletic and extracurricular opportunities. The new complex will also be available free to the public for community sports and events.
4. Recently Completed – 2025 Outdoor Sports Complex
In 2025 we completed a $1.5 million state-of-the-art outdoor sports complex featuring a turf baseball field, large bleacher seating, a concession building with bathrooms, and two batting cages. The entire project was funded through giving with zero debt, finished on schedule, and integrated into existing operations without reducing support for any other ministry.

Organization goals

Our goals are to advance disciple-making, equip churches of all sizes, and multiply healthy leaders and congregations.

The Movement Training Center is the primary way we will achieve this.

Through the Center we will:
• Train church planters, missionaries, music ministers, student and children’s pastors, and production teams
• Provide practical, replicable ministry models combined with solid biblical education
• Equip leaders who can plant churches, strengthen existing ones, and multiply disciple-makers
• Develop professional audio and video production capacity so the gospel can be clearly communicated through media and worship
These goals build on more than 41 years of consistent fruit, debt-free growth, and a proven culture of disciple-making. The Training Center allows us to scale what God has already established and release it for the wider Church.

Leadership

• Kenneth & Penny Carpenter – Senior Pastors (since 1984 – 41+ years)
• Chad & Fallon Erickson – Associate & Administrative Pastors of First Apostolic Church of Maryville, Inc., President of the Movement Apostolic Training Center
• Zach & Lauren Hammond – Student Pastors and technical director (since 2010 – 16 years)
• Nolan & Flannery Carpenter – Children’s Pastors
• Jacob D. Sullivan – Headmaster, Apostolic Christian Academy
• Melissa J. Ricketts – Assistant Academy Administrator
• Amy Gomez – Daycare Director

Strategic priorities

Strategic Priorities
1. Launch and fully equip the Movement Training Center
Complete the facility remodeling and outfit the audio and video studios with professional equipment so hands-on training can begin.
2. Train and release the next generation of leaders
Develop church planters, missionaries, music ministers, student and children’s pastors, and production teams who are ready to step into full-time ministry.
3. Provide practical, replicable ministry models
Combine solid biblical education with real-world systems and tools that students can immediately apply in local churches.
4. Build strong media and production capacity
Equip leaders to communicate the gospel effectively through professional audio, video, and digital content.
5. Multiply healthy churches and disciple-makers
Create a sustainable pipeline of trained leaders who will plant and strengthen churches across the nation.

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Community Services, Education, Faith Based, Research and Evaluation, Technology, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

Funding Needs – Movement Apostolic Training Center
The most immediate and critical funding need for the Movement Apostolic Training Center is specialized studio equipment for the audio and video production facilities that will serve as core training environments.
Priority Needs
1. Audio Studio Equipment
Professional-grade recording, mixing, and monitoring systems for the dedicated audio studio. This equipment is essential for hands-on training of music ministers and production teams in songwriting, live sound, recording, and worship production.
2. Camera & Video Studio Equipment
Professional camera systems, lighting, switching, and post-production tools for the video studio. These resources will equip students in the church production and marketing track to create high-quality video content, livestreams, and media resources.
These two areas represent our highest-priority funding gap right now. Properly outfitting the audio and video studios will allow the Training Center to deliver the practical, industry-relevant training required for music ministers and production/marketing teams — two of the five core tracks the Center is designed to serve.

Why This Matters
The Training Center is already being remodeled as a dedicated off-campus facility. Completing the audio and video studios with professional equipment will:
• Enable immediate, high-quality hands-on instruction
• Prepare students to step directly into full-time ministry roles
• Support the production of original music and media content that extends the reach of Apostolic churches
• Align with our existing strengths through Apostolic Collective and the church’s production department
All equipment purchases and studio build-out will follow our established debt-free model. Grant funds designated for these items will be used solely for the stated purpose under Board oversight, with no impact on existing church or academy operations.

Impact & Recognition

Success stories

Starting with approximately 15–20 members in 1984, the church has grown to well over 1,000 members. During this same period we constructed an 80,000-square-foot multi-purpose campus (sanctuary, classrooms, gymnasium, daycare, and K–12 school) valued at roughly $28 million, completed for approximately $18 million and fully paid for with no debt. In 2025 we also completed a $1.5 million outdoor sports complex, again with zero debt.
Community Recognition
In the 2025 & 2026 Maryville Daily Times “Best of Blount County” awards (approximately 200,000 votes cast), the church and its ministries received four first-place rankings:
• #1 Church
• #1 Pastor
• #1 Private School
• #1 Daycare

Major funders

To date, all funding for The Movement Apostolic Training Center, has come from the regular and sacrificial offerings of our members.
We have no major external foundation or corporate funders. Our financial support has consistently come from within the congregation.

Partnerships & Collaborations

The Movement Training Center will build on existing relationships that provide real-world training opportunities, student engagement, and pathways for graduates.
Key partnerships that support the Training Center include:
• Community youth sports programs — AAU basketball and baseball teams regularly use our facilities. This gives production and student ministry trainees hands-on experience in event coverage, live media, and youth engagement.
• Local churches and ministry networks — We already host the annual Movement Conference, which draws pastors and leaders from across the nation. These relationships will provide internship, mentoring, and placement opportunities for Training Center graduates.
• Second Harvest Food Bank and community outreach partners — Students in various tracks will gain practical experience serving alongside these organizations, applying ministry models in real community settings.
• Blount County first responders and civic groups — Ongoing relationships create opportunities for students to develop communication, media, and pastoral care skills in public-facing environments.
These partnerships give students immediate access to practical ministry experience and help ensure graduates are well-prepared to serve in local churches and communities.

Website & Social Media