Tennessee Baptists Launch Equip TN, Pairing Volunteer Consultants With Churches Needing Help
About 70 volunteers from local churches now offer free training in children's ministry, youth ministry and worship. Organizers hope to grow to several hundred within a few years.
See where this is ›FRANKLIN, Tenn. —
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has launched Equip TN, a network of about 70 volunteer consultants from local churches who offer training, coaching and leadership development to other Tennessee congregations, the Baptist & Reflector reported Oct. 30. The network met Oct. 15 in Franklin, Tenn.
See where this is ›The effort began with three leaders: Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the mission board; Bruce Raley, senior associate pastor at First Baptist Hendersonville; and Alan Raughton of the Nashville Baptist Association. Ryan Keaton, the board's strengthening evangelistic disciples team leader, now manages the network. “The network exists to strengthen churches within our associations,” Keaton said.
Equip TN draws its guiding principle from Luke 12:48. Keaton said churches blessed with resources, experience and ministry opportunities “have a responsibility” to invest in others.
The network now offers help in children's ministry, youth ministry and worship, and organizers hope to add more areas. Churches may request training or meetings at no charge, though they may choose to give a consultant an honorarium. Those pictured with Keaton in the Baptist & Reflector's coverage include Brett Brandewie, family pastor at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, and Jan Hooper, children's ministry director at Brownsville Baptist Church.
Ben Campos, the network's ethnic youth ministry consultant, has served several Hispanic congregations. The Baptist & Reflector reported that teenagers in multiple churches responded to the gospel and surrendered to God's call to ministry through his training sessions. “These early experiences demonstrate the potential of the network,” Keaton said.
Organizers hope to grow from about 70 consultants to several hundred over the next few years, keeping at least five in each “harvest field” within each ministry area so the work is shared. Consultants have no term limits and may step away when their circumstances change. Churches or associations can reach Keaton at rkeaton@tnbaptist.org or 615-426-0352.
