The Equip TN network is helping Tennessee congregations strengthen one another through training, coaching and leadership development.
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s network began when Randy C. Davis, president and executive director; Bruce Raley, senior associate pastor at First Baptist Hendersonville; and Alan Raughton, with the Nashville Baptist Association, saw an opportunity to strengthen churches by helping them support one another.
They had repeatedly heard church leaders express a desire to become more involved in work happening across the state.
“The network exists to strengthen churches within our associations by equipping church leaders to support and serve one another,” said Ryan Keaton, strengthening evangelistic disciples team leader for TBMB. Keaton now manages its ongoing efforts.
The network of 70 volunteer consultants from local churches is guided by Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much will be required.”
“We believe churches that have been blessed with resources, experience and ministry opportunities have a responsibility to invest in others,” said Keaton. “Just as churches generously give their time and resources to reach communities around the world, the network encourages them to extend that same missional spirit to neighboring churches.”
Equip TN encourages those churches to share resources, offer practical support, and help meet ministry needs within their associations and regions. The consultants then directly help churches address challenges, strengthen ministries, and fulfill their mission.
Signs of progress
Early results are encouraging, Keaton said. For example, Ben Campos, the network’s ethnic youth ministry consultant, has served several Hispanic congregations.
Through his training sessions, teenagers in multiple churches have responded to the gospel in faith and surrendered to God’s call to ministry.
“These early experiences demonstrate the potential of the network to strengthen churches, equip leaders and make a meaningful Kingdom impact across our associations,” Keaton said.
Room to grow
The network currently offers support in three areas: children’s ministry, youth ministry and worship. Organizers hope to broaden those offerings to address more ministry needs and reach more churches.
They also hope to grow the consultant pool from about 70 to several hundred over the next few years. “As more local church leaders across Tennessee step into leadership roles and share their knowledge and experience, we see an opportunity to build a stronger network of equipped leaders who can encourage, support and strengthen churches throughout our state,” Keaton said.
The network aims to maintain at least five consultants in each harvest field within each ministry area. That approach spreads the workload so consultants can serve other churches while keeping commitments to their own congregations and families, according to Keaton.
Network goal
Consultants face no term limits. Organizers will continue recruiting and onboarding new consultants and will allow others to step away when their circumstances or responsibilities change.
“Ultimately, our goal is to build a sustainable network that values the leaders who serve, expands the reach of available ministry expertise, and ensures churches across Tennessee have access to the training, guidance, and support they need to thrive in their God-given mission,” Keaton said.
Churches face no set limit on how many can use the network.
“There is not necessarily a limited number of opportunities available, as we have several consultants ready and prepared to serve churches through their experience and expertise,” Keaton said. “However, some flexibility in scheduling may be necessary to coordinate the church’s calendar with a consultant’s availability.”
Equip TN charges no fee, but churches and associations that can afford to may give a consultant an honorarium.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Zoë Watkins and originally published by the Baptist and Reflector.
