Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee

What Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee does

The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee is a constituent diocese of The Episcopal Church, established in 1982 when the Diocese of Tennessee was divided at the General Convention. Headquartered at 692 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, the Diocese serves as the central coordinating body for Episcopal congregations, missions, and specialized ministries across West Tennessee, under the leadership of Bishop Phoebe A. Roaf (consecrated May 4, 2019). The Diocese operates a network of local congregations including the cathedral seat, St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis, alongside dedicated ministry sites such as St. Columba Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center (a 145-acre facility serving 250+ groups and 1,000+ campers annually) and Barth House Episcopal Center (a college ministry located one block from the University of Memphis). Programmatic verticals include Diocesan Youth Ministry (Diocesan Youth Council, EYC gatherings, Happening retreats), the Becoming Beloved Community Commission (formalized November 2024 for racial reconciliation work), and missional community outreach including the Recover Food, Feed Hope meal program.

The Diocese's offerings are ministry programs rather than technology products. Communications infrastructure is standard for a religious non-profit: the official website (edwtn.org), The Diocesan Communicator eNews and The Peace Newsletter, the Faithfully Memphis podcast hosted by Bishop Roaf on Anchor FM, Vimeo video streaming, and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Core "products" enumerated by the Diocese itself include Diocesan Churches, St. Columba Camp & Retreat Center, Diocesan Youth Ministry, College Ministry/Barth House, the Becoming Beloved Community Commission, Diocesan Convention, the Bishop's Missionary Appeal, the Faithfully Memphis Podcast, Do Good & Share Ministry Grants, Safe Church/Safeguarding Resources, and Diocesan Archives. No proprietary software, API, or app is offered, and no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Revenue is generated through four principal streams: (1) recurring tithes, offerings, and parish contributions from member congregations; (2) the annual Bishop's Missionary Appeal (BMA) fundraising campaign with a traditional suggested minimum contribution of $1,000 per individual or congregation, accepting cash, appreciated stock, and IRA required minimum distributions; (3) foundation and grant funding (most notably a $750,000 multi-year grant from Church Home to Barth House in late 2023 and periodic grants such as the Minkler Howell Grant from Camp Kanuga); and (4) the Do Good & Share Ministry Grant program, funded through the BMA and other sources, which redistributes funds to congregational ministry projects. The Diocese participates in the broader Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, with Bishop Roaf serving on the boards of Episcopal Relief and Development and the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity & Justice. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the organization is a private religious non-profit — not publicly traded — governed by its Bishop and Diocesan Convention.

Name

Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee

Legal name

Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee

Website

https://edwtn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, established in 1982, coordinates Episcopal congregations and ministries across West Tennessee from its Memphis headquarters, operating St. Columba camp, youth and college programs, and racial reconciliation initiatives through the Becoming Beloved Community Commission.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Religious Organizations (81311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Religious organization services
• Episcopal diocese ministry
• Youth faith formation
• Camp retreat ministry
• Diocesan governance administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes, Offerings, and Parish Contributions: Member congregations contribute through weekly/monthly tithes and offerings, which fund diocesan operations, programs, and mission work across West Tennessee.
2. Bishop's Missionary Appeal (BMA): Annual fundraising campaign inviting individuals, congregations, and organizations to contribute. Traditionally a suggested contribution of at least $1,000 is requested, though any amount is accepted. Funds support specific annual priorities such as seminarian support, small church consulting, youth programs, and racial reconciliation initiatives. Donations accepted via check, online (PayPal), appreciated stock, and IRA required minimum distributions.
3. Foundation and Grant Funding: The Diocese receives multi-year grants from foundations such as Church Home ($750,000 grant to Barth House in late 2023 for staffing, programming, and maintenance), and periodic grants such as the Minkler Howell Grant from Camp Kanuga. These support specific ministry programs and capital projects.
4. Ministry Grants (Do Good & Share): The Diocese administers the Do Good & Share Ministry Grant program, distributing grant funds to congregations for missional ministry projects, funded through the Bishop's Missionary Appeal and other sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee is a regional religious non-profit that coordinates Episcopal worship, formation, and community ministry across West Tennessee. Its core offerings include a network of member congregations, the 145-acre St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center, youth and college ministries, the Becoming Beloved Community racial reconciliation commission, and annual fundraising and governance programs such as the Bishop's Missionary Appeal and Diocesan Convention. The organization provides spiritual, pastoral, and outreach services to individual Episcopalians and member parishes under the leadership of Bishop Phoebe Roaf.

Product overview

The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee operates as a religious organization offering a portfolio of ministry programs rather than a technology product. Core offerings include a network of Episcopal churches across West Tennessee, St. Columba Camp & Retreat Center (145-acre hospitality ministry), youth and college ministries (including Diocesan Youth Council, Barth House Episcopal Center), the Becoming Beloved Community Commission for racial reconciliation, annual Diocesan Convention for governance, Bishop's Missionary Appeal for fundraising, and various support services including Safe Church policies and ministry grants. The diocese also produces the Faithfully Memphis Podcast and maintains historical archives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diocesan Churches (Congregation Network) Network of Episcopal churches (cathedral, parish, and mission) across West Tennessee that deliver worship, sacraments, pastoral care, spiritual formation, and community ministry to local Episcopalians.
• St. Columba Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center A 145-acre Episcopal camp and retreat center in Memphis featuring old-growth forests, fields, creeks, and wildlife. Serves over 250 nonprofit, church, school, and family groups per year and more than 1,000 campers through Mud Camp and Camp Able programs; fully accessible facilities support programming for guests with special needs.
• Diocesan Youth Ministry Youth programming including the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC), Episcopal Youth Events (EYC), Happening retreats, and summer camp programs supporting faith formation, leadership development, and fellowship among youth from congregations across the Diocese.
• Barth House Episcopal Center (College Ministry) A college ministry and community center located one block from the University of Memphis campus and directly across from the university's International Center, offering worship, study space, fellowship, meals, and faith exploration for students, faculty, and the broader campus community. Open Monday–Thursday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Becoming Beloved Community Commission A diocesan commission dedicated to promoting racial healing, justice, and reconciliation within West Tennessee communities, advancing the work begun by the Task Force on Racial Healing with guidance from the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing.
• Diocesan Convention Annual gathering of clergy and lay leaders for worship, discernment, legislation, and shared governance, including elections, adoption of resolutions, and review of diocesan mission strategy.
• Bishop's Missionary Appeal (BMA) Annual fundraising appeal with a traditional suggested contribution of at least $1,000 per individual, congregation, or organization; supports diocesan priorities such as seminarian support, small church consulting, youth programs, and racial reconciliation initiatives.
• Faithfully Memphis Podcast Podcast hosted by Bishop Phoebe Roaf featuring conversations with Memphians about issues facing the community and how faith informs perspective and unites people from diverse backgrounds; distributed via Anchor FM.
• Do Good & Share Ministry Grants Diocesan grant program that distributes funds to congregations for missional ministry projects, supported through the Bishop's Missionary Appeal and other funding sources.
• Safe Church / Safeguarding Resources Policies, training, and background check programs that ensure safety and protection within diocesan congregations and ministries, governed by the Consolidated Safe Church Policy.
• Diocesan Archives Historical records and archives documenting the Diocese's history and heritage, available through the diocesan office and website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 campers served annually through St. Columba's programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• Episcopal Migration MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEpiscopal Migration Ministries (EMM), the refugee and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, partners with the Diocese of West Tennessee to welcome refugees and allies to communities across the country. The Diocese actively promotes EMM's work and supports resettlement efforts as part of its missional outreach.
• Episcopal Relief and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishop Phoebe Roaf serves on the board of Episcopal Relief and Development, which supports the Diocese's international development and disaster response capacity. The Diocese participates in ERD campaigns and programming as part of its global mission engagement within the Anglican Communion.
• Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity & JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishop Phoebe Roaf serves on the board of the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity & Justice, which supports the Diocese's racial reconciliation and justice initiatives including the Becoming Beloved Community Commission.
• Absalom Jones Center for Racial HealingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn January 2024, the Diocese's Task Force on Racial Healing consulted with Dr. Catherine Meeks, former Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, to gain guidance on developing the Diocese's racial healing initiatives that led to the establishment of the Becoming Beloved Community Commission.
• The Episcopal ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee is a constituent diocese of The Episcopal Church (TEC), part of the Anglican Communion. The Diocese participates in the General Convention of TEC, contributes to churchwide initiatives, and sends delegates to broader church leadership, including the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida: Operates DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center, which absorbed St. Columba's former Executive Director Brad Thompson in 2024. Mirrors EDWTN's combination of diocesan governance plus a major camp/retreat facility.
• Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee: Another Episcopal diocese in Tennessee with a comparable governance structure, congregational network, camp/retreat ministry, and diocesan convention model serving East Tennessee. Most direct peer given shared state geography and denomination.
• Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky: Mid-size Episcopal diocese with parallel governance, small-church support needs, and youth/college ministry structures analogous to those in West Tennessee.
• Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas: Adjacent Episcopal diocese in a similar regional footprint. Bishop Roaf grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, suggesting direct relational ties. Comparable congregational and ministry profile.
• Presbytery of the Mid-South (PCUSA): Regional Presbyterian governing body serving a similar Memphis/West Tennessee footprint with analogous presbytery-level governance, small-church support, and ministry programming.
• Church of the Holy Communion (Memphis): Flagship Episcopal parish within the diocese and operator of the Recover Food, Feed Hope ministry. Comparable community outreach scale and is a feeder for diocesan leadership (Emily Austin previously served as Minister of Communication there).
• Camp Kanuga (Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina): Episcopal-affiliated camp and conference center in Hendersonville, NC, providing grants (e.g., Minkler Howell Grant) to peer camps like St. Columba. Most direct comparator for camp/retreat operations and grantmaking activities.
• Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi: Neighboring Episcopal diocese in the Deep South serving a similar mix of urban parishes, historically Black congregations, and rural small churches. Comparable demographics, programming mix, and racial reconciliation initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• The Episcopal Church (National Church): Parent denominational body and ultimate governing authority for EDWTN. Provides shared resources (General Convention, pension group, EMM, ERD) and the canonical/ecclesiastical framework within which the diocese operates.

Regional players

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis: Catholic counterpart serving the same West Tennessee/Memphis geography with parallel governance (bishop, parishes, schools, outreach ministries). Comparable regional faith-based institutional footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCe7_imu1HDcxaRW18g4ahuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/EDWTN
• Instagraminstagram.com/episcopalwesttn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/episcopal-diocese-of-west-tn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee