The Bishop is Coming!
Bishop L. Jonathon Holston will visit Bama Wesley to serve as guest preacher for the Bama Wesley Tailgate Worship Service on Nov. 21, 2026
The Bama Wesley Tailgate Community is excited to host Bishop Holston at our gathering before the Alabama vs UT Chattanooga on Saturday November 21st.
We will gather to worship at 10am in the Great Room at The Wesley Foundation at the University of Alabama.
Worship will be followed by tailgate festivities with great food, games, streaming college football on TVs around the Wesley building, and more fun for all ages! Everyone is welcome and all food and activities are always free! We would love to have you join in the fun!
Don't have tickets to the game? No problem! Watch the game with us on the big screen and enjoy the comfort of tailgate snacks, air conditioning/heat, and clean bathrooms!
What is Tailgate Church?
The story of Tailgate Church begins with a powerful message delivered by Bishop Holston during the North Alabama Annual Conference. Preaching on the Road to Emmaus, he reminded us how Jesus meets people right where they are—often around a shared meal and through everyday conversation. This inspired a bold vision: why not bring worship to the places where students are already gathering? At Bama Wesley, that place is the gameday tailgate.
What started as a conversation sparked immediate excitement and prayer among our students. Recognizing the potential to reach the campus community in a new way, we pursued a ministry grant to turn this vision into reality. Today, Tailgate Church is a growing ministry that blends food, fun, and faith. While football brings us together, our mission is to build an ongoing community that supports students long after the final whistle blows.
“Jesus meets us where we are—often around food and laughter.”
Tailgate Church is our way of creating a welcoming space for worship and fellowship amidst the excitement of gameday.
Bishop
Holston
Tailgate - 9:30am-5pm
Coffee bar and grab and go breakfast options will be available beginning at 9:30am.
After the game, swing by for a restroom break and to-go snacks for your trip home.
Alabama vs
UT Chattanooga
11/21/26 Tailgate Details
Worship - 10am
We will gather in the Ken Smith Great Room to worship together as a kickoff of the tailgate festivities. This is a relaxed setting. Feel free to bring your coffee with you. There will be contemporary worship music, prayer, a short sermon, and maybe even a few Roll Tides.
Lunch - 11am
We can't get together without having some good food!
This week we will be having Pulled BBQ Pork, Smoked Mac and Cheese, Baked Beans, and assorted desserts.
Kickoff - 1pm
Head to the stadium or watch the game at Wesley on one of the TVs outside or the big screen in the Great Room. We will keep the snacks and good vibes flowing throughout the game!
