Governor Bill Lee Annnounces 2023 Day of Prayer. Watch the video >

In Tennessee,
everything is possible

when non-profit organizations, faith-based communities, and state government work together to improve the lives of every Tennessean.

Our vision

The Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative

... was created by the Tennessee legislature in 2019 in response to Governor Bill Lee's vision to leverage the power and possibilities of Tennessee's faith communities and non-profit organizations -- in partnership with state government -- to solve the state's most challenging issues.  

A medium shot of the Tennessee State Capitol building partially obscured by a cherry blossoms.
The Tennessee State Capitol
A long shot of the Chattanooga riverfront.
Chattanooga Riverfront
A wide angle shot of the Country Music Hall of Fame
Country Music Hall of Fame
A medium shot of a sign reading Memphis TN
A landscape shot of bridge straddling a body of water.
A landscape shot of a mountain range

Our objectives & ROLES

"Progress moves at the speed of relationships."

With over 11,000 houses of worship and 30,000 non-profit organization across Tennessee, the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative is uniquely positioned as a nimble and proactive problem-solver for the state's diverse challenges -- from prisoner re-entry to foster care, affordable housing to mental health.

Icon of Hands Shaking

Connect

Icon of a Speedometer

Amplify

Icon of a Laptop

Resource

Icon of a Graduation Cap

Educate

Icon of a Column

Serve

Our purpose

Mobilizing Tennesseans To Care For
Our Most Vulnerable Communities

10,000
Houses of Worship
30,000
Non-Profit Organizations
23
State Departments
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
"Government is not the answer to some of our greatest problems... We the people are the ones to address our greatest problems."

Governor Bill Lee

Inaugural Speech • Jan 19,2019

How CAN WE PARTNER WITH YOU?

Connect Today

Our Staff

Lance Villio
Executive Director
Appointed by the Governor
Dr. Monty Burks
Deputy Director
m.burks(at)tn.gov
Erik Lokkesmoe
Senior Advisor, Strategy & Communications
erik.lokkesmoe(at)tn.gov
Rachel Riley-Coe
Director, Correction and Reentry Initatives
rachel.rileycoe(at)tn.gov
Leah Moyer
Director, Every Child TN
leah.moyer(at)tn.gov
Dr. Omaràn D. Lee
Regional Director
Middle Tennessee
omaran.lee(at)tn.gov
Dr. Edward Stephens III
Regional Director
Western Tennessee
edward.stephens(at)tn.gov
Dr. Emily Hager
Regional Director
Eastern Tennessee
emily.hager(at)tn.gov
Shelbi Ball
Special Projects Manager
shelbi.ball(at)tn.gov
Annie Morel
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
annie.morel(at)tn.gov

The Tennessee Prayer Initiative

Prayer changes everything. We invite people of all faiths to join us in praying for the state of Tennessee and our leaders. Sign up to receive a short prayer guide each day, giving you the opportunity to pray for:
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    The Governor
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    Commissioners
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    Legislators
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    Judges

Sign up to receive Prayer Guides

Thank you!

You've been subscribed to our daily prayer guides.
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La Iniciativa de Oración de Tennessee

La oración lo cambia todo. Invitamosa personas de todas las religiones a unirse a nosotros en oración por el Estadode Tennessee y nuestros líderes. Regístrese para recibir una breve guía deoración cada día, dándole la oportunidad de orar por:
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    EL GOBERNADOR
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    COMISIONADOS
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    LEGISLADORES
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    JUECES

Regístrese para recibir Guías de Oración

¡Éxito!

Comenzará a recibir correos electrónicos de oración en los próximos días.
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