Let’s be honest, we’re all busy.

This group intends to be a place where you can grow spiritually in community, NOT to make you feel stressed out by adding obligations to your life.

Who remembers the Choose Your Own Adventure books from our elementary years? I loved those. That is the gist of this group. You’re in charge, and you get to choose your own adventure.

Do you want to read the book? Great.

Would you rather listen to the audiobook? Super.

Do you hate reading and are already wondering what in the world you were thinking? That’s cool, too.

Would you rather listen to a podcast? Noice.

For real, you can show up doing NONE of the above.

Whether you read every word, listen to every podcast, or not, still come! As the group engages in a time of prayer and discussion, I am confident you will glean wisdom and find community. We all learn and grow in different ways, and I trust that God will move in your life.

About me

Hey there. I’m Erin Gray. I am a Christ-follower, wife, mom to college-aged kids and a dog, and have called East Tennessee home for over 20 years. I love, you guessed it, Jesus, books, and coffee. I’m a self-proclaimed nerd, life-long learner, and enjoy geeking out over Interpersonal Neurotheology.

When I am not spending time with family, working out, or reading, I work as a full-time firefighter-paramedic and part-time as the director of a local food pantry/diaper bank. I hold numerous Firefighting certifications, a Paramedic IC license, a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies of Religion and Communications, and an MEd in Neuroscience and Trauma. How all that fits together or what God plans to do with it all, well, your guess is as good as mine. I’m just along for the ride, and it sure has been fun to see how He uses every bit of it.

I joke that books are my love language, but really, words in general, including podcasts. It dawned on me at the end of 2025 as I did my annual “Year in the Books” post to social media, that I had read some amazing books that had changed my life. So I thought, why not take it a step further than gifting my favorite books from the previous year and share that with others while keeping Jesus at the center and throwing in coffee, since everything is better with coffee. Keep scrolling for all the deets!

Wednesday, Feb. 11th, 8:15 am-10 am Where: The Empty Cup in the vault 9111 Executive Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37923

Tuesday, March 17th, 8:15 am-10 am Where: Intrepid Nitro Coffee and Tea Bar 11432 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932

Wednesday, April 15th, 8:15 am-10 am Where: Riverside Coffee Shop 16239 US-70, Lenoir City, TN 37772

Tuesday, May 19th, 8:15 am-10 am Where: Ramblin’ Joe’s Coffee (Originally Ugly Mug Coffee 108 S. B St. Lenoir City, TN 37771

Each month, we will meet at a different coffee shop to support local small business owners.

Spring 2026 Schedule

Frequently asked questions

  • This group is targeted at women who are already followers of Christ, but anyone is welcome.

  • The group meets once a month, with the dates varying due to my rotating fire department schedule. Making friends and meeting with them outside of the monthly group is encouraged!

  • The time commitment is totally up to you. We all have natural ebbs and flows to our schedules. Invest as much or as little time as you want. There is no expectation, other than expecting Holy Spirit to grow each of us.

  • There is no cost to be in the group, but each group member is responsible for their own hardcopy or audiobook and coffee at the group meetings.

Still have questions? Reach out!