In October 2025, First Baptist Church of Hermitage, founded in 1940, prayerfully concluded its ministry and generously gifted its building to the Nashville Baptist Association. Out of that legacy has come a new opportunity for gospel advance in our city. The property is now known as the Bullington Ministry Center and is being developed as a launching point for new churches and ministry initiatives.
With a main gathering space that seats approximately 100 people, the Bullington Ministry Center is best suited as a “starting location” rather than a permanent home. Yet that is precisely what makes it so valuable. It provides an accessible, affordable environment where new congregations can take their first steps, establish rhythms of worship and discipleship, and grow toward long-term sustainability. This space gives the Association a tangible way to support church planting and renewal throughout Nashville.
When the NBA received the property, it was in need of considerable repair. Both the main building and the parsonage had experienced water damage. The parsonage had also been affected by vandalism and had been occupied for a time by individuals experiencing homelessness, leaving it in need of substantial cleanup and restoration.
On Saturday, February 7, a team of students and leaders from Tulip Grove Baptist Church led by Brian Joines (associate pastor at Tulip Grove) joined NBA staff and volunteers to help remove damaged contents and begin reclaiming the space. After receiving an orientation on how the Association works to unite churches in planting new churches and renewing existing ones, the team went to work with energy and joy. Their service marked an important step in breathing new life into this property.
Our long-term vision is for the Bullington Ministry Center to serve as an incubator for gospel-centered ministry in Nashville. Portions of the building are well suited for a homeschool cooperative. The parsonage will be renovated for ministry office space available for lease. The main worship space can accommodate multiple congregations, allowing churches to gather on Sunday mornings and afternoons.
What once represented an ending is now becoming a place of new beginnings. We are grateful for faithful churches, generous volunteers, and God’s ongoing provision as we steward this opportunity for the advancement of the gospel in our city.
If you would like to learn more about opportunities at the Bullington Ministry Center, please contact Randy Howell, Operations Manager for the Nashville Baptist Association, at [email protected].
Nik Lingle (Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church – Nashville, TN)
Renewal Strategist
Nashville Baptist Association