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Membership Application

Advancing the Gospel, Together

For more than 125 years, churches in Greater Nashville have chosen to stand together for one reason: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In July of 1899, thirteen congregations formed what would become the Nashville Baptist Association with a simple conviction—Middle Tennessee needed the gospel . That conviction still drives us today.

The mission is clear:

We serve churches to advance the gospel in Greater Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and around the world.

We are not an institution to maintain.
We are a family network of 150+ churches on mission.

And we believe the work is stronger when we do it together.

“Rob Turner, Pastor of The Fellowship at Mt. Juliet; Brandon James, Pastor of Green Hill Church; and Michael Darbouze, Replant Pastor of Smith Springs Baptist Church, pictured together celebrating collaboration among Nashville Baptist churches.”

Who We Are

We are pastors, leaders, and congregations who have chosen cooperation over isolation. We believe no church should have to plant alone, renew alone, lead alone, or engage its community alone.

When you join the NBA, you join a network committed to gospel advance across neighborhoods, campuses, workplaces, and nations.

You are becoming a partner.

“Rob Turner, Pastor of The Fellowship at Mt. Juliet; Brandon James, Pastor of Green Hill Church; and Michael Darbouze, Replant Pastor of Smith Springs Baptist Church, pictured together celebrating collaboration among Nashville Baptist churches.”

Why Join the Nashville Baptist Association?

Because the mission is bigger than any one congregation. When your church partners with the NBA, you gain:

  • A network of 150+ churches committed to gospel cooperation
  • Trusted relationships with pastors and leaders across the region
  • Practical help in planting, renewal, and leadership development
  • Missional strategies tailored to your community
  • Encouragement during seasons of challenge and transition
  • A voice and place in shaping the future of gospel work in Middle Tennessee

You remain fully autonomous. You gain fully committed partners.

1. Plant Healthy Churches

Middle Tennessee is growing. Communities are expanding. New neighborhoods are forming.

We help churches plant healthy congregations for gospel advance. That includes assessment, strategy, coaching, partnerships, and connecting sending churches with planters who are called to the field.

Churches plant churches.
We help make that happen.

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2. Renew Every Church

Every church has a future if it will lean into it.

We assist congregations navigating their present and also their futures. That may mean replanting, pastoral transitions, and renewed mission clarity. Through consultations, cohorts, leadership development, and peer partnerships, we walk with churches toward strength and sustainability.

Renewal is about rediscovering gospel effectiveness.

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3. Encourage Ministry Leaders

Encourage

Healthy churches require healthy leaders.

We care for pastors,  ministry staff and their families through affinity groups, leadership cohorts, transitional guidance, and one-on-one coaching. We provide care and counseling to ministry families in need and can offer support and assistance during times of crisis or transition. 

Pastoral ministry can be isolating.
Don’t do ministry alone.

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4. Engage Every Community with the Gospel

Your church’s address is no accident, it’s your church’s mission field. 

We equip congregations to understand their context and engage it strategically. Through demographic insight, missional mapping, and mobilization strategies, we help churches design a clear path for reaching their neighbors.

The goal is simple:
Every community reached with the gospel.

“Rob Turner, Pastor of The Fellowship at Mt. Juliet; Brandon James, Pastor of Green Hill Church; and Michael Darbouze, Replant Pastor of Smith Springs Baptist Church, pictured together celebrating collaboration among Nashville Baptist churches.”

What You Can Expect From Us

  • We will serve you.
  • We will listen.
  • We will show up when you call.
  • We will connect you with other churches when partnership strengthens the mission.
  • We will challenge you toward gospel clarity and courage.
  • We will celebrate what God is doing in and through your congregation.
  • Our calling is not to control churches.
    Our calling is to strengthen them.
  • You are becoming a partner.
“Rob Turner, Pastor of The Fellowship at Mt. Juliet; Brandon James, Pastor of Green Hill Church; and Michael Darbouze, Replant Pastor of Smith Springs Baptist Church, pictured together celebrating collaboration among Nashville Baptist churches.”

The Invitation

  • The churches who formed this Association in 1899 believed cooperation would accelerate gospel impact . They were right.
  • Today, the need is no less urgent.
  • Greater Nashville is growing. Middle Tennessee is changing. The nations are at our doorstep. The world still needs the gospel.
  • Your church has a role to play.
  • Join a family of churches committed to planting, renewing, encouraging, and engaging for the sake of Gospel Advance.
  • Stand with us.
  • Partner with us.
  • Advance the gospel—together.
If you would like to explore partnership with the Nashville Baptist Association, we would welcome a conversation. Let’s talk about how your church can join this shared mission for the glory of God and the good of every community.