In 1987 Rev. Keith Elliott, Sr. and William H. Valentine, with a handful of determined believers acted on a vision received from God to start a new predominately black church in West Knoxville. This fledgling church began meeting in the home of Rev. and Mrs. Elliott. These first meetings consisted of prayer meetings and Bible studies. In only two month, their number grew and it was obvious that the Lord had plans for this church.

As it began to grow and form its own identity, New Covenant began meeting in the banquet room of Roadway Inn on Cedar Bluff Road. In this setting, New Covenant began to grow and establish itself as a valid and viable young Baptist Church. At this location six people were baptized during the summer of 1987; this first baptism took place in the swimming pool at the Roadway Inn. At the end of 1998 the church membership was 10.

In September of 1990, after steady growth, Rev. Elliott located the first true church home for New Covenant Baptist Church. This building was located on Westland Drive, off Ebenezer Road. At the end of 1990 the church membership was 21.

In December 1992, New Covenant Baptist Church relocated to a new facility on Bennington Drive in to West Hills Community. Rev. Elliott departed for another calling and Rev. Robert James of Oak Valley Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee assumed pastorate of the church until a permanent pastor could be found.

After interviewing numerous candidates, Fredrick E. Brabson, Sr. was chosen as pastor. At the end of 1992 the church membership rose to 30.

On October 22, 1993, New Covenant’s new home was on Canton Hollow Road. New Covenant Baptist Church was a thriving, growing place of worship in West Knoxville. Church membership at the end of 1993 was 116.

In 1997, a division of the church resulted in a portion of the membership leaving. Many ministries were temporarily affected, but later retired to full and renewed operation. In the latter part of 1997, Rev. Nolan Nevels joined the New Covenant family as Associated Minister. Church membership at the end of 1997 was 392.

After much prayer, in 1998, God blessed New Covenant with a vision and a gift of 11 acres of property to use as a means of glorifying God. In 1999, a biblical led capital fund campaign entitled “Possessing Our Promise Land” was established. At the end of 1999, membership was 476.

In 2005 this congregation and pastor celebrated its ground breaking ceremony at the 10319 Starkey Lane site. Fredrick E. Brabson, Sr. presently serves as Director of the Black Church Extension for the Knox County Association of Baptists; serves on the Church Leadership, Board of Directors for the Knoxville Interdenominational Bible Institute, Vision Pastors Network for Black Church, and recently served the position of Director of Evangelism for the Knox County Association of Baptist.

New Covenant believes it’s most important mission is “Winning souls and changing lives for Jesus Christ is a Total Family Ministry.”