Joe Frejosky, Pastor of Charlotte Road Baptist Church, and David Outlaw, Pastor of Mt. View Baptist Church, presented today about their experiences from two different models of ethnic church partnerships.
The meeting centered on a shared conviction that Nashville’s growing ethnic diversity presents a strategic Gospel opportunity requiring churches to move beyond simple facility sharing into genuine Kingdom partnerships. After introductory remarks, pastors and ministry leaders described how immigrant and multicultural congregations are reshaping ministry across the city and how local churches can respond with humility, hospitality, and long-term collaboration.
A major theme throughout the discussion was that ethnic church partnerships must be rooted in Gospel unity rather than convenience or transactional arrangements. Several speakers emphasized that churches should not merely act as landlords to immigrant congregations but as ministry partners who share resources, relationships, and mission. Joe Frejosky of Charlotte Road Baptist described how his church welcomed a struggling Spanish-speaking congregation that had experienced church hurt after being displaced from another facility. Rather than treating the congregation as renters, Charlotte Road intentionally adopted a “one church, two languages” philosophy. The church integrated ministries, shared facilities and finances, combined fellowship events, and created opportunities for mutual encouragement and discipleship. Over time, the partnership grew from a small group of hurting believers into a thriving bilingual ministry with approximately fifty adults and a growing children’s ministry.
Another recurring emphasis was the importance of flexibility and sacrifice in using church property for Kingdom purposes. Multiple pastors argued that church buildings should function as ministry hospitals rather than museums preserved for comfort and nostalgia. Churches were encouraged to open unused space to ethnic congregations, ESL ministries, church plants, and outreach initiatives. Scott McReynolds explained his work helping churches repurpose underused facilities and land to support ministry partnerships, while several pastors discussed the ongoing challenge of finding affordable worship space for immigrant congregations in the Nashville area.
The meeting also highlighted the missionary nature of ministry in modern Nashville. Leaders repeatedly noted that God has brought the nations to Middle Tennessee, creating unprecedented opportunities for local evangelism. David Outlaw described Nashville as a strategic location for reaching Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, and immigrant communities through cultural engagement and Gospel witness. Evan Chase emphasized the importance of evangelizing children and families through partnerships between churches and public schools. ESL ministry was repeatedly identified as one of the most effective bridges into immigrant communities and a practical first step toward deeper discipleship and church planting.
Several speakers also addressed challenges that naturally emerge in multicultural partnerships. David Outlaw of Mountain View Baptist warned against paternalism, ethnocentrism, and unhealthy dependency within partnerships. He stressed that successful ethnic church relationships require constant communication, doctrinal alignment, mutual respect, and shared ministry ownership. Rather than one church “helping” another from a position of superiority, he argued that both churches must recognize the mutual benefits each brings to the Kingdom. He also observed that second-generation immigrant children often think culturally like Americans even when their families maintain another language, requiring churches to minister thoughtfully across generations.
The testimony of Andres and Miriam from King of Glory Church illustrated both the opportunities and instability many immigrant congregations face. Their bilingual, multicultural church currently includes people from roughly fifteen nations and has experienced rapid growth while repeatedly being displaced by changing property situations. Their story reinforced the broader call for Nashville churches to provide not only temporary space but stable Gospel partnerships that allow ethnic congregations to flourish long-term.
The meeting concluded with prayer for Nashville’s nations, for stronger partnerships among churches, and for the spread of the Gospel across ethnic and linguistic barriers. Leaders prayed specifically for unity among believers from many cultures and for churches willing to embrace discomfort, sacrifice, and collaboration for the sake of advancing God’s Kingdom in an increasingly diverse city.
If you have questions about how to contact any of these pastors, write to me: Brett Boesch