2026 Annual Meeting Keynote – Jeremy Rose

Jeremy Rose, Pastor of Axis Church delivered the keynote address at the Nashville Baptist Association Annual Meeting for 2026. He talked about the role of the association in helping bring together Axis and First Baptist Madison. The following is a summary of the keynote speech.

Last year, two churches gathered as one in Madison, marking the beginning of a new chapter built on decades of faithfulness. First Baptist Church of Madison had served its community for 88 years, but its leaders recognized that the church did not exist simply to preserve its name or its history. It existed for the name of Jesus Christ. By partnering with another congregation, they chose to open their hands and allow what God had provided through generations of faithful members to continue serving the gospel.

That story reminds us that we are never starting from scratch. Every work of God builds on what God has already been doing. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” It is his church, not ours. Buildings, resources, ministries, staff, and opportunities are things God has entrusted to us. A healthy church that asks, “How can we help?” is faithfully stewarding what God has given. Likewise, a struggling church that says, “We need help,” is not admitting failure. Asking for help can be an act of faith, trust, and humility.

That kind of cooperation may be especially important for the future of ministry in Middle Tennessee. Nashville continues to grow, while many churches and ministry leaders face significant challenges. Church planting remains important, but revitalization offers another opportunity. Instead of always starting from scratch, what if we also strengthened congregations that have faithfully proclaimed the gospel for generations? What if churches shared buildings, staff, resources, leadership, encouragement, and experience rather than trying to accomplish the mission alone?

This is one of the great opportunities of a local association. Strong churches can ask how they can help, and churches needing strength can freely ask for help. The Nashville Baptist Association can help create the relationships, trust, and pathways that make those partnerships possible. Cooperation requires humility on both sides because humility says, “This does not have to carry my name or happen my way.” It moves us from thinking about “me and mine” toward “us and ours.”

Ultimately, our cooperation must remain centered on Jesus. We may have different histories, cultures, worship styles, resources, and preferences, but we share the same Savior and the same mission. Nashville has too many people who still do not know Christ for churches to spend their energy protecting brands or competing with one another.

The question before us is not simply, “How can we grow our church?” It is, “How can we advance the gospel in Nashville together?” Perhaps the answer begins when churches open their hands and say, “Jesus, whatever you have given us belongs to you. How can we use it for your kingdom?”