What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
I enjoy the
early morning hours. I get a cup of coffee and sit in the den and watch the sun
rise over my backyard. Before my family wakes up I read my Bible and work in my
journal. The days I can do this are always my best days. I exercise two or
three times a week, ride a bike, do some martial arts, and play guitar. My wife
and I have been married for over 26 years. We have instilled a sense of balance
in our marriage by working together to guard our family time, enjoy our
children, and to be each other's best friend.
Recommended Reading
This past year I've been involved in a study group with Alban Institute. Some of the best books that I've read in that setting have been the following:
Tribal Church: Generational Change, Carol Merritt
The Prophetic Imagination. Walter Brueggemann
Spiritual Theology of Yesterday for Spiritual Help Today, Diogenes Allen
Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture and Integrity, Lovett H. Weems Jr.
Discernment as Spiritual Practice, Tony Robinson
Becoming a Blessed Church, Graham Standish
The Honest to God Church, Doug Bixby
Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father, Otets Arseny, Translated by Vera Bouteneff
What do you like most about being a pastor?
I love the special moments with people such as baptisms, baby dedications, or visits over coffee to talk about life and the Spirit. Leading worship is a privilege and I love preaching, teaching, and the opportunity to study for and prepare a message.
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
Our congregation is focusing on prayer and worship in 2010 and I hope to lead the way in both areas. To do this with any sense of integrity means that the disciplines of prayer and worship will be challenged and stretched in my life.
What's playing on your ipod/cd player?
Chris Tomlin, Dave Hunt, Randy Stonehill, Chicago, The Eagles, Pink Floyd and The Beatles.
Why should an individual visiting this website take the next step and visit First Baptist
Our downtown location gives us a diversity and feel to ministry that can't be duplicated in the suburbs. You'll find a surprising mix of friendly people under our steeple, a chance to go deep in Bible study, music that has a sense of reverence, and a multi-generational congregation that is genuinely kind and caring.
The Usual Stuff
Frank R. Lewis has been senior pastor of First Baptist Church Nashville since October 1, 1997. Prior to moving to Nashville, he was the founding pastor of the Green Valley Baptist Church in Henderson (Las Vegas), Nevada, where he served the church for ten years. Frank is a graduate of Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Frank and his wife, Lori, are parents of two children, Lauren (19) and Gregory (17). He's a published author, an adjunct professor, a Black-belt in Taekwondo, loves to kayak and ride a bike, and serves on the Board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.
What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
My wife and I have been married 37 years - I love to spend time with Jackie walking with our dog Tucker, outdoors on a lake in my boat ("Deacon"), or eating her great meals! It helps make the day better just to be with Jackie. I enjoy studying World War II - my father was a veteran of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. If I can spend a day fishing or hiking in peace, it's going to be a great one!
What are you reading right now?
The Associate, John Grisham
Fear Not, God is Already There, Ruth Graham
Where are you?, REVEAL
Streams in the Dessert devotional
Big Russ & Me: Father & Son Lessons of Life Tim Russert
What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist Nashville?
The experiences of our people are so broad and deep - we have a church open to try new ideas, to welcome newcomers, and impact our world for Christ. The church is filled with wonderful people who love the Lord and want to befriend others. I'm so thankful the Lord allowed Jackie and me to serve in the family of First Baptist Nashville! Walking the streets of downtown Nashville and engaging with our members, making new friends, and connecting with the life found in our downtown is really energizing!
In your recent reading, what insights or quotes have you found most meaningful?
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." (Jim Elliot)
"A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work."
(My dad taught me that. But when you've got such a great job as I do, it's only partly true!)
Why should an individual visiting this website take the next step and visit the church on a Sunday morning?
The downtown First Baptist Nashville church is a neat community of people from far and wide in Middle Tennessee! We are young, middle, and senior ages, with a many newcomers who have found family and quick opportunities to engage in missions and make a difference in our community. Whether helping across the street or around the world, First Baptist Nashville is making our world a better place! It's The Place to be as we love God and love people.
What CD's are you listening to this month?
Riders In The Sky!
When I am Weak, Jason Catron
The Usual Stuff
Tom Crow joined the First Baptist Nashville staff in October 2006. Prior to moving to Nashville, he served as Executive Pastor of First Baptist Charlotte, North Carolina for fifteen years. Tom and his wife Jackie are parents of two incredible adult children - Carrie and Philip. Tom and Jackie are natives of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and enjoy traveling and missions involvement. They have lived in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and North Carolina. Tom served the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam War. Tom is a graduate of Cameron University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tom is active in the National Association of Church Business Administration as a Certified Church Administrator, the Baptist Association of Christian Educators, and loves to help mentor men. In his spare time, Tom enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hiking and fishing.
Family:
Gwenn (wife), Robert Sean (16), Melodie Marie (14), and Foxie, the family's miniature Pomeranian.
Education:
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Bachelor of Music Education (Trumpet/Voice)
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas - Master of Church Music (Voice/Conducting)
Interests and Favorites:
Life Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all
your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths" is one of my favorite
verses. It brings me the calm assurance that as I seek the heart of God in
all I do, He will lead and provide direction for successful daily
living.
The Usual Stuff What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist? What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
Joe
Fitzpatrick has served for the past twenty years as Worship
Pastor at North Little Rock's
Park
Hill Baptist
Church. He just recently accepted the Call of
God upon his life to serve as Pastor for Worship and Music at the
First
Baptist
Church of
Nashville,
Tennessee. Previously he has served churches in
Jacksonville,
Florida, Fort
Worth, Texas, and in
Oklahoma. He holds degrees in trumpet, voice, and
conducting from Oklahoma
State
University (BME) and Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary (MCM).
Mr. Fitzpatrick is a Past-President of The Southern
Baptist
Church Music Conference and the
world-renown Grammy and Dove Award nominated recording/touring ensemble, The
CenturyMen. He has also served as
President of The Arkansas
Master'Singers Men's Chorus. He was
the producer for Park
Hill Baptist
Church's presentations of The
Greater Little Rock Easter Pageant and numerous Christian Music Concerts
held at his church and in Little
Rock's most prominent venues. These events have made an eternal
difference in hundreds of lives over the years. Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith,
Chris Tomlin, Point of Grace, Casting Crowns, Diane Bish, Steve Green, Sandi
Patty, Nielson and Young, 4Him, The King's Brass, and The Gaither Vocal Band are
just a few of the many Christian Music Artists who have appeared as a part of
Park Hill's Concert Ministry Outreach. Joe is
married to the former Gwenn Robertson of Nashville,
Tennessee. She is an Elementary Music Specialist
with the North Little Rock School District, the Children's Music Consultant for
the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and serves as Children's Choir
Coordinator at Park Hill Baptist Church.
The Fitzpatrick's have been blessed with two beautiful children, Robert
Sean, who is sixteen, and fourteen-year-old Melodie Marie. Joe enjoys running, water and snow
skiing, and spending time with his family.
Shannon Meadors, Minister to Children
They serve, they love, they know the Word of God.
Life Scripture:
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Phillipians 1:20-21
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
Committing scripture to memory, which has been a struggle since becoming a mom.
What are you reading right now? What insights or quotes have you found most meaningful?
One Girl Can Change the World by Claudia Mitchell & Kim Goad
"So will you begin now to think of yourself as a warrior princess in disguise? Can you look in the mirror and see yourself as God made you--as a person on infinite worth? Can you look at your life as something meaningful, something amazing, something with a world-changing purpose?"
Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only by Beth Moore
"Women are like that, aren't they? We long to find someone who has been where we've been, who shares our fragile places, who sees our sunsets with the same shades of blue."
What is your favorite thing about First Baptist Nashville?
The children. They make my heart happy.
The Usual Stuff
Shannon Meadors has been the Minister to Children at First Baptist Nashville since December 1, 2009. Previously, she served on staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas and Springfield Baptist Church in Springfield, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shannon and her husband, Kyle, are the parents of two very cool kids - Jacob and Ava Lauren.
What do you want to see accomplished through the student ministry of First Baptist Church?
I want to see parents empowered to become the primary spiritual developers of their students. I want to see partnerships developed between our student ministry staff and moms and dads that will allow them to feel supported, resourced and trained to become the best parents that they can be. Oh yeah, I want to have fun too!
What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
I really enjoy being at home. I travel periodically and what's most relaxing for me is being with my wife Julie and my kids Cole, Madison and Alec. I will enjoy a round of golf with Cole and Alec every once and awhile and when Duck season comes in you may find Madison and me tucked away in a duck blind on old hickory lake.
What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist?
I have enjoyed getting to know the people of First Baptist church and learning about their journeys in life. There is a great wealth of knowledge and experience in a church like ours and it seems like every Sunday I meet someone new who has a tremendous story to tell.
How would an individual visiting this website take the next step and begin attending the student ministry?
There are two great places to visit our student ministry. We meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15 in room 300 for Sunday school. This is a small group bible study that is broken up by grade as well as gender. Another great place to visit is the Edge. The Edge is our Wednesday night program where we will have music, games and bible teaching.
The Usual Stuff
Jeff Pratt joined the staff at First Baptist church in 2009. He comes to First Baptist church with over twenty years of student ministry experience. He is a graduate of Carson Newman College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Julie and they have three children: Cole, Madison and Alec.
What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist?
Their willingness to step up and serve. Just in our student area alone, I've seen parents give of their time, effort, and wisdom to help minister to our students. I have seen that kind of selfless service all over our congregation, and I'm so thankful that we have people loving people.
What do you like most about being a minister?
Getting to know our students is the top of my list! Hanging out with our youth and college students is always the highlight of my week. I love living life alongside them and learning how to better share God's love with them. I also love the fact that this whole experience has been such a learning process for me. Every day introduces a different list of new things to see and do!
What's playing on your iPod?
I've been playing "The Best of Doris Day" non-stop, as well as the newest music from Danyew.
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
Definitely in my prayer life. Our focus in 2010, as a church, is on Worship and Prayer. I know that personally, prayer sometimes takes a backseat to my "to-do list", and I hope to learn how to incorporate prayer in every part of my day. I would like to be more faithful in conversing with God about everything that's happening.
Why should an individual visiting this website take the next step and visit First Baptist Nashville on a Sunday morning?
If you're looking for a place to plug in and see God evidently working in your life, First Baptist Nashville is a great place to be! I can promise that if you visit our church, you will feel welcome! We have a fantastic group of folks who are always there to greet you with a smile on their face and point you in the right direction.
The Usual Stuff
Lauren Cann joined the First Baptist staff in September 2009. Originally from South Carolina, she graduated with a degree in Psychology from Lander University and served as a FUGE summer camp staffer for two summers. Lauren loves music and art. She enjoys taking roadtrips, shoe shopping, and browsing bookstores.
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
In this year of emphasis on Worship and Prayer, I find myself in great need of growth in both areas. I am doing more reading in both areas and spending more intentional time in prayer each day and each week. There is a growing hunger to spend more time with my Lord and less time "doing" something for Him.
What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
Most days begin in some light exercise - a strong walk or some weight lifting. Some time everyday I speak to one or more local friends for 10 - 15 minutes at least. We check one another's "pulse" and just laugh at ourselves. I am watching or listening more to Christian programs than I have in years - and trying to find something positive from each one. I don't take myself too seriously. Of course some family time every day for each in my family is important. My cell phone helps me stay in touch with my parents in Texas, my wife, and my three daughters in Nashville and Washington state.
What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist Nashville?
Our people let us be real. Maybe they make us to be real. No one worships anyone around here - not that I would be that one anyway! We are all in the discipleship trek together. They supply us with resources and time to grow, be renewed, and be a blessing to others outside our local congregation. Last year the church gave me a 30 day leave of absence for personal and ministry enrichment. Every pastor/staff member should have the opportunity, no, requirement to schedule some meaningful time away from daily responsibilities and take stock of where they are in ministry, in life, in relation to our Lord, this staff, and their family.
In your recent reading, what insights or quotes have you found most meaningful?
"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." - Vince Lombardi
"People forget how fast you did a job - but they remember how well you did it." - Howard Newton
"Few people think more than 2 or 3 times a year. I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week." - George Bernard Shaw
"One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something." - Thoreau
Why should an individual visiting this website take the next step and visit the church on a Sunday morning?
Our church is a wonderful group of all ages, and experiences who love to worship, love to be taught the Scriptures, and love to ask questions. This happens on Sunday. Numerous opportunities are available to live out one's faith in ministry and mission but Sunday morning is where it comes together for us.
What are you reading right now?
The Ultimate Gift, Jim Stovall
Anything, John Maxwell
A Diary of Private Prayer, Baille
What websites do you visit daily?
Associated Baptist press
Facebook
Christianity today
What's playing on your ipod/cd player?
Precious Memories [Alan Jackson]
When Love Finds You [Vince Gill ]
Favorite Hymns [Sam Sanders]
The Usual Stuff
Rus Roach has been at First Baptist Nashville since 1987, and prior to his ministry here he served as pastor at several churches in Texas. Rus graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of three daughters - Holly, Heather, and Hailey.
What are you reading right now?
I am not an avid reader. In addition to golf and farm magazines, I am a project reader, reading when I'm looking for specific information. Much of my reading is articles found on the internet. Currently, I'm investigating the Boomer generation and reading everything I can find regarding ministering to that large generation through the church.
What is your favorite thing about First Baptist Nashville?
The wonderful, loving, caring, generous, kind, talented, Godly people who make up this great church. I would want to come here even if I weren't on the staff.
What do you do to refresh your soul?
I'm refreshed by working on the farm, playing golf, and, lately, being with my my two quite-above-average granddaughters. We're looking forward to seeing more of the teenage grand kids who live in California.
What's playing on your ipod/cd player?
Music has been a major part of m life, but I rarely listen to it on the radio or CD player unless I'm working on a project. I listen to talk radio in the morning and when I'm driving. I have a CD of Patsy Cline's Great Hits that I play loudly in my pickup when I just need to escape.
The Usual Stuff
Sam Sanders has served on the First Baptist Nashville staff since 1988. Before coming here, Sam was on staff at churches in California, Texas, and Oklahoma. He holds music degrees from the University of Missouri and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam and his wife Barbara have two grown children and four grandchildren.
What do you do to relax and refresh?
I enjoy working on projects where I can see results and can pride in what I have accomplished. That project may be working in the yard, reworking an area in the house or remodeling project at the church. While I was once an architect wantabe, I still enjoy construction and all the changes going on around the church.
The Usual Stuff
Allen joined the staff of First Baptist Nashville in August 2001 after 33 years at the Baptist Sunday School Board/LifeWay. He holds a bachelor's degree from Auburn University and an MBA degree from Middle Tennessee. Allen and his wife Katie have two married children and five grandchildren.
