To Reach the Needs

If you’ve been to Brentwood Baptist or one of our regional campuses, you’ve probably heard us talk about the Middle Tennessee Initiative. Today, we want to share four ways we are reaching out and meeting needs throughout Middle Tennessee. Historically, there are four ways the church has always impacted culture. It’s been by addressing issues related to poverty, education, and healthcare. As a result, evangelism has naturally flowed out of those things. We believe the best way to address these specific issues is to let the church do what it’s been called to do—a lot of which we’ve already been doing! God is calling us to meet their physical needs while we reach their spiritual needs.

1. POVERTY

Over time, people have become enslaved to it. It’s a vicious cycle they can’t get out of. And even if they tried, they wouldn’t know how. For centuries, it’s been the church who’s fed, clothed, and sheltered those in need. We want to break the bonds of poverty in Middle Tennessee and influence men, women, and children to find their worth in Christ and work toward what He’s calling them to be and do.

2. EDUCATION

Most colleges were started with a Christ-centered foundation. In years past, public schools always acknowledged the importance of integrating spirituality and education. What if we got involved in our local schools— tutoring, landscaping, helping teachers—just to be a blessing and do something good? Our schools would look different.

3. HEALTHCARE

Just like educational institutions, hospitals have always had a faith-based beginning. Just look at a nearby example: St. Thomas Hospitals in Nashville. What would happen if we partnered with them and continued providing free, quality healthcare in local communities through our Medical Dental Unit? We’d earn the right to be heard.

4. EVANGELISM

Sharing the gospel and making disciples is at the root of everything we do. It can be difficult with the backlash of our culture against Christianity, but in order for people to know Jesus, we have to tell His story. That happens by meeting needs and building relationships. If we address poverty, education, and healthcare, evangelism comes naturally and opens doors for us to share Jesus with people all over Middle Tennessee.