New Around the Mission
“Love Nashville” Campaign Births New Ministries
May 13, 2011
As 2011 drew near, the Rev. Thomas McKenzie asked himself a question that has plagued the conscience of many pastors: If our church ceased to exist, would the community notice that we’re gone?
He wasn’t entirely sure of the answer. When mobilized, his parish, Church of the Redeemer in Nashville, Tennessee, did make a real difference in the community. After the 2010 Nashville flood, the entire congregation had come alongside flood victims to restore and rebuild. But that involvement in the lives of others needed to continue.
“I wanted our church to see they are already people doing ministry and to intentionally consider and act on the question, how do I love my neighbors?” McKenzie explains.
His question launched an ongoing journey McKenzie dubbed the “Love Nashville” campaign. In early January, he asked the congregation to join him in praying over a period of four weeks, “Lord, how are you calling me personally to love my neighbors, and how are you calling our church to minister in 2011?”
Redeemer accepted the New Year’s challenge, and four weeks later, their prayers culminated in a meeting where 70 parishioners presented more than 25 ideas for ministries they were ready to helm. One group formed an outreach to their Muslim neighbors. Another parishioner turned his fishing hobby into a program where men from the church take kids from lower-income neighborhoods fishing. A woman unveiled a plan to confront sex trafficking in Nashville. One parishioner requested allotted mission funds to build a booth for “free prayer in the name of Jesus” at a local flea market and festival.
A little over three months later, many of these “Action Groups” are already meeting and holding events. “Soon, we’re going to have another get-together to see how it’s going,” McKenzie says. “As people report back, we will get a sense of what’s happening, and I’m sure more people will come with new ideas.”
The church’s passion and creativity have been incredible, but McKenzie reminds parishioners it’s not their energy alone that will change things. “It’s very important that they understand Jesus loves them,” he says. “Jesus loves the world and empowers us to love the world.”
With that empowerment, Nashville is on a collision course with God’s love this year.
“My hope for Love Nashville is simply that somebody experiences the love of Jesus,” McKenzie says. “Whether it’s prisoners, executives, musicians or anybody not part of our church, we desire them to experience love in the name of Jesus.”
Learn more at Love Nashville and Church of the Redeemer.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action
