Honorable Mention: Resourcing Churches over 1,000
Brentwood Baptist Church
Name and Location: Brentwood Baptist Church; Brentwood, Tennessee
Denomination: Southern Baptist
Date Founded: 1968
Weekend Attendance: 4200
Senior Pastor: Dr. Michael L. Glenn
Missions Pastor: Scott Harris
Website: www.brentwoodbaptist.com
Overview: Brentwood Baptist Church has been in partnership with Fish Hoek Baptist Church (Winner of the 2007 CLA) since 2003. What began as an initial gift of $31,000 has evolved into a multi-million dollar partnership. In addition to financial resources, Brentwood has sent 6 full-time staff (fully supported by the church) to serve the AIDS and poverty ministries of Fish Hoek for a year or more. They have also sent large teams (a total of 180 people over the past 4 years) to offer short-term help, and most recently they have invested heavily in the economic empowerment arm of Fish Hoek’s initiatives.
Specific Initiatives:
- Flow financial resources to the operating expenses of Living Hope
- Fund long-term personnel to go and work at Living Hope
- Music ministry is involved in producing a CD featuring the Masi Choir and guest artists Dan Heseltine (Jars of Clay), Michael W. Smith and others with the goal of creating an income stream for Living Hope"s ministries.
- Brentwood"s bookstore hosts a permanent location to sell African goods, with 100% of the proceeds going directly back to South Africa
- A group of business people at Brentwood are sending funds to Living Way (the livelihood creation arm of Living Hope)
Engagement of the Congregation: Brentwood is an outstanding example of a local church getting behind a dynamic indigenous ministry doing effective ministry to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Their congregation is engaged, not only releasing resources, but investing in relationships and giving of themselves, serving on a number of different levels.
Judges' Comments: "For the second year in a row, Brentwood’s application has risen to the top of the judges’ pile. They continue to model values that are absolutely essential to making a difference, strengthening the local church in Africa and empowering indigenous people. They are also leveraging their influence to attract other churches and organizations willing to engage in a strategic partnership with Living Hope, releasing significant resources to the front lines."
