January 14th 2024.
After serving as a senior pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church for many years, Chris Battle made a bold decision to leave his post and pursue a different calling. He felt a strong pull towards addressing the issue of food insecurity in his local community of Knoxville, Tennessee. As one of the oldest Black congregations in the city, the Tabernacle Baptist Church had a long history of serving its members and the surrounding community. But for Battle, there was a new mission that he felt compelled to take on.
In an interview with People magazine, Battle shared, "I'm doing something that's meeting a significant need in our community. I think it's literally saving people's lives." It was a big step for Battle, who had always envisioned himself as a pastor, serving and supporting others until his retirement. However, his time spent working in East Knoxville for 30 years had opened his eyes to the harsh reality of food apartheid. He was shocked to learn that many people in his own community did not have access to fresh and nutritious food. This realization deeply affected him and he knew he had to do something about it.
In 2018, Battle planted a small garden on a piece of land owned by his church and began giving away the produce to those in need. To his surprise, the community members who came to help him with his crops were not all members of his church. In fact, many of them had never stepped foot in his church before. This sparked an idea in Battle's mind. As he explained, "That's when it dawned on me that they won't come to my church, but they will come to my garden. I knew we needed to find a way to merge the two."
The following year, Battle took a leap of faith and left his job as a senior pastor. He helped to establish a farmer's market on Sundays and coordinated deliveries of produce from food banks to residents of public housing. Battle also went on to create four more community gardens, including the Battlefield Farm & Gardens where he now holds informal church services every Sunday. The congregation has grown to include not just church-goers, but also members of the wider community. Battle proudly shared, "We've got atheists, gay, trans, and straight people here. I think we even have a witch."
When asked about his decision to leave his role as a pastor, Battle confidently stated, "I've never been happier. I don't miss pastoring. I tell people, 'I pastor okra now - okra doesn't give me as many problems as some people do'." His passion for using food as a means of bringing people together and addressing food insecurity in his community is evident in everything he does. Battle's dedication to this cause has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently featured in an article highlighting the efforts of North Carolina farmers and faith leaders in combatting food insecurity.
As Battle continues to tend to his gardens and hold services at the Battlefield Farm & Gardens, he is making a tangible difference in the lives of those in his community. His journey from preacher to food activist serves as an inspiring example of how one person can make a significant impact in their community by following their calling and using their talents for the greater good.
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