Special Recognition
Brentwood Baptist
Name and location: Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee
Denomination: Southern Baptist
Pastor: Dr. Mike Glenn
Date Founded: 1968
Total Church Membership: 4,000
Website: www.brentwoodbaptist.com
Outstanding Involvement and Effectiveness in the Fight Against AIDS:
Long before many supporters of the Willow Creek Association and World Vision became acquainted with Fish Hoek Baptist Church, the 2007 Courageous Leadership Award winner, Brentwood Baptist Church recognized that church's uncompromising commitment to serve those affected by AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa. Brentwood's first-year commitment of $31,000 in 2004 has evolved into a multi-million dollar partnership with Fish Hoek's Living Hope Center, including:
- $1.1 million (part of a $2 million capital campaign) enabling Living Hope to complete its main campus;
- funding for life skills educators, lay counselors, and support groups; and
- resources for home-based care.
The partnership, however, is not just financial. Over the last four years, Brentwood Baptist has sent more than 150 members of the congregation to serve in short-team missions involving medical care, construction, staff training, and music workshops. In addition, the church currently has three members serving Living Hope on a long-term basis.
Impact on the Congregation:
Brentwood Baptist's partnership with Fish Hoek's Living Hope Center is mutually beneficial. Fish Hoek's pastor John Thomas visits Brentwood Baptist at least twice annually, including preaching to the entire congregation. Through publications, newsletters and, of course, first-hand accounts from members of the congregation visiting Cape Town, church members and attendees are knowledgeable not just about the partnership, but about the plight of those infected with and affected by HIV. In addition, the church leadership has introduced Living Hope to numerous other churches. Brentwood Baptist's commitment is exemplified by the partial funding of Living Hope's operating expenses, a ministry portfolio often overlooked by donors. Moreover, in March, Brentwood hosted the first ever Living Hope Partners Conference, in which nearly 60 U.S.-based supporters of Fish Hoek met with staff from the church and Living Hope Center.
Pastor's Quote: “[Living Hope] embraces and we affirm—a comprehensive approach to ministering to those with HIV/AIDS and to those who are at risk ... We wanted our partnership efforts to not only address HIV/AIDS, but also to strengthen the local church (both in America and in Africa); this partnership has fulfilled both of these goals.”
Comments from the Judges: “Outstanding example of a local church getting behind a dynamic indigenous ministry doing effective ministry to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Brentwood is consistent in their international mission in Cape Town, South Africa and their faithfulness serves as suitable inducement for other churches to do the same.”
