Frank and to the Point

PUBLISHED IN THE EVANGEL // July 17, 2008

Pastor Frank Lewis

by Dr. Frank Lewis, senior pastor

First Baptist Nashville has enjoyed a rich history of ministry with college students over the years. This fall as the new academic year begins we are rolling up our sleeves and rolling out the red carpet to reach out to students in a meaningful and significant way. I am pleased to announce that a new worship service for College Students, developed by Josh Crosby, First Baptist Nashville's student minister, will begin on August 19.

Helping students bridge this transitional period in life is a worthy effort. Researchers tell us that many students graduate from high school and rarely if ever attend a church while they are in college. After graduation these students pursue careers and other interests in life, but never quite reconnect with any church.

My good friend Dave Hunt is returning to help me lead a worship service for students on Tuesday nights at First Baptist Nashville. Dave is a singer-songwriter with an incredible gift for leading students in worship. I will be leading a life-application Bible study for the students each night, and Josh along with a team of other volunteers will help us make this outreach effort effective. Here's where many of you come in.

We are going to need an army of volunteers to pull this off. We need to run shuttles to the campuses of Belmont and Vanderbilt before and after the service each week. We need prayer partners to be present each week to be available to meet students and pray for them as they feel led to share prayer requests. Students enjoy refreshments and we need hospitality volunteers to assist us in providing refreshments each week. Greeters at the doors and in the hallways will give us a secure and inviting presence. All volunteers are welcome to participate in the worship experience each week. I think you will be blessed and energized by being a part of this new ministry opportunity. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact us via email at josh.crosby@firstbaptistnashville.org.

On August 19, we're having a pre-launch service where we'll do all of our volunteer training. We'll also have a time of prayer for the new service and for those involved. Dave Hunt will lead in a time of worship and this will give us a chance to do a "run-through" before students join us the next week. If you're curious, join us! If you can't join us, pray for us.

Another bridge is being built because of your commitment to minister at First!

Blessings!
Frank Lewis