In the Church Planting priority area of the Nashville Baptist Association, we are committed to reaching our communities with the gospel, by walking alongside church planters and the churches that send them. Here is how we are doing that in 2024.

First, we are connecting churches with church planters, in an effort to Help Churches Help Churches. For example, church planter Juan Natal is in talks with the leadership of Rosedale Baptist Church about sharing their campus space. Likewise, we have connected planter Monterrey Lee with Third Baptist Church for a potential partnership.

Second, we are encouraging pastors to identify potential church planters from within their congregations. Travis Tullis at Priest Lake Community Church is working with me to recognize and develop men in his church.

Third, we are helping church planters settle into two of our main target Church Planting areas. Robert Vickers of Way Truth Life Church is in the Church Planting process in Lavergne, with the NBA and TBMB. Gary Morgan is preparing to launch Story Church in downtown Nashville.

Our Churches Planting Churches webinars have been going strong since October of 2022. Most recently, we heard from Gary Morgan about apartment ministries. This month, I will speak about how your church can plant or be a part of a church.

Finally, we are starting a Church Planters Cohort called “Pioneers” in May. This will be a space of collaborative learning, where local church planters can help each other grow by sharing ideas and best practices. Areas of focus will include strategic planning, action steps toward church growth, financial planning strategies, vision casting, discipleship strategies, and more. We will also discuss how ministries like those in nearby apartment communities can be good outreach for church planters.

If you would like more information about the Church Planting process, or how you and your church can help, send me an email using the address below or call the NBA office.

Dwayne Lewis
NBA Church Planting Strategist
dlewis@nashvillebaptists.com