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 25 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.
What are you reading right now?
An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown
The Wounds of Jesus, by Christina Baxter
What do you like most about being a pastor?
Getting to play guitar at youth camp with our students, conducting a parent-child dedication, Vacation Bible School, baptizing a new believer, sitting with a senior adult at the hospital and hearing their stories about life and faith, officiating a wedding, and preaching.
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
I'm overdue for a sabbatical this year and I hope to take it spending some time reconnecting with God in the outdoors. For me there's nothing like kayaking a river or a lake surrounded by the mountains out west. I also hope to experience some solitude at a monastery for a few days, to take in the annual Festival of Homiletics, and to learn some new skills in the area of pastoral leadership for urban congregations.
What's playing on your ipod/cd player?
Just got a car with 3 months of XM radio and I love The Message so much that I may become a subscriber. I also like to listen to Chris Tomlin, Dave Hunt, Randy Stonehill, and The Beatles. When I'm doing one of my heavy lifting routines I usually have Pink Floyd's Delicate Sound of Thunder playing in the background.
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
What do you do to relax and find balance in your life?
My wife and I have been married 36 years - I love to spend time with Jackie walking with our dog Tucker, outdoors on a lake in my boat ("Deacon"), or watching a good movie. It always helps make the day better to just be with Jackie no matter what activities we engage in. I enjoy studying World War II - my dad 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?
John Grisham's The Associate
Thom Rainer's Essential Church
Patrick Lencioni's The Five Temptations of a CEO
Kerry/Chris Shook, One Month To Live
My next one to find is Tim Russert's Big Russ & Me: Father & Son Lessons of Life
What do you appreciate most about the people of First Baptist Nashville?
Their acceptance and zeal for touching lives. There is a deep desire to make a difference in the 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!
In your recent reading, what insights or quotes have you found most meaningful?
I've just been reminded of Jim Elliott's quote, a favorite. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. I always chuckle a bit at the one my dad taught me, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work." 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 Church is a neat community of people from far and wide in Middle Tennessee! We are young, middle, and senior ages, with a lot of newcomers who have found a home 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
Amy Grant's, Numbers
The Usual Stuff
Tom Crow came to First Baptist Nashville in October 2006. Prior to moving to Nashville, he served as executive pastor of First Baptist Charlotte, North Carolina for fifteen years. Tom is a graduate of Cameron University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tom and his wife Jackie are parents of two 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.
The Usual Stuff
Where do you hope to experience Spiritual Growth in the coming year?
I am like most of us. I am not satisfied with my prayer life, nor with my spiritual growth. I am slowing down my "actions" and spending more time during the day just praying and listening to the Lord. This usually happens about mid morning and mid afternoon when I pull the car over or find a chapel or quiet place in the hospital and just spend some time with the Lord.
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, Chattanooga, 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.
In your recent reading, what insights or quotes have you found most meaningful?
In counseling or in family matters or in Bible study I like what John Barry, historian asks: What happened?, How did it happen?, Why did it happen?, So What?
I also like a Paul Getty quote on keeping it simple...his motto on life....Wake up early, Work hard, Find oil.
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?
Angels and Demons [Dan Brown]
And The Last Goodbye [Reed Arvin]
Blackwood's Pastoral Work
A diary of Private Prayer
What websites do you visit daily?
Komando.com (computer related)
Google Alerts (I have a number set on schools, Baptist org's, etc)
Newspapers.com
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.
