About BBC History
To know where you're going, it helps to know where you've been. In its short history, Brentwood Baptist Church has seen God do many exciting things. Even more exciting is what we know He will do in the future.
Brentwood Baptist Church is Established
On August 22, 1968, under the sponsorship of Woodmont Baptist Church, a mission for the Brentwood area was started in the chapel of the Baptist Children’s Home on Franklin Road. On September 8, at 2:30 p.m., sixty-five people gathered for the first worship service. On October 6, a full schedule, including Sunday School (with 77 in attendance) and Training Union.
The first converts of the new mission were baptized on November 3 at Woodmont. On November 27, Dr. Charles Treadway, long-term employee of the Baptist Sunday School Board, was called as Interim Pastor. Young Harper was asked to serve as part-time Minister of Music. A budget of $38,030 was adopted in December, with 10% allocated to the Cooperative Program.
On February 9, 1969, the mission voted to become a church and agreed to assume an indebtedness of $4,000, which the Nashville Baptist Association had advanced for the lot on Franklin Road. The name “Brentwood Baptist Church” was adopted on March 19, and on April 3 the Trustees filed papers of incorporation with the Secretary of State. The church was duly constituted on Easter Sunday, April 13.
Brentwood Baptist Calls the First Pastor
In January of 1970, a call was extended to William G. Wilson, Pastor of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, to become the first full-time pastor. He began his ministry on March 1. As the church grew, other full-time staff positions were added. For the first three and half years, Brentwood Baptist met at the Baptist Children’s Home. In February of 1971, the church voted to begin construction of facilities on Franklin Road.
On February 28, 1971, the groundbreaking service was held and construction began on a multipurpose building, at a cost of $452,700.
On March 5, 1972, the first service in the new sanctuary-gymnasium was held and the indebtedness on this building was retired on December 26, 1978.
In 1978, the second phase of the building program began: a sanctuary and additional educational facilities. Construction (costing $1,600,000) was completed approximately two years later.
On January 6, 1980, 1100 people gathered for the first worship service in the new sanctuary. By the 20th anniversary celebration, the indebtedness of the second phase was retired.
Brentwood Baptist Continues to Grow
Since the beginnings of Brentwood Baptist Church, God has multiplied the efforts to fulfill His Great Commission.
In February 1987, the church began dual Sunday School and worship services each Sunday. By July 31, 1988, the church had a total membership of 1,771 and a Sunday School enrollment of 1,539. In 1988, the church budget grew to $1,123,091 with average monthly budget offerings of $86,170.
Brentwood Baptist continued to maintain mission education programs for all ages. Two significant missions were sponsored: Bell Road Baptist Chapel (1978) and Moores Lane Mission (1983). In 1986 Bell Road Chapel became Bell Road Baptist Church, and Moores Lane Mission became Clearview Baptist Church. Ministries to prisoners, the deaf, and internationals were an early part of the on going missions outreach.
Dr. William Wilson joined the staff of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1990. In August 1991, the church called its second pastor, Dr. Michael L. Glenn.
Brentwood Baptist Selects a New Location
In October 1996, the church voted to purchase 30 acres at 7777 Concord Road. In June 2002, the church moved to the new 175,000 square foot building.
The Franklin Road facility was sold to Living Word Church allowing a Christian witness to continue in downtown Brentwood. The mission of Connecting people to Jesus Christ is the driving force behind all that the church does. The continuing demographic and geographic changes in the Brentwood area present new opportunities for ministry and witness. The Brentwood Baptist members have committed to grow and exercise their spiritual gifts to live as Christ’s disciples and to extend Christ’s message throughout the world.
Mission’s Outreach continues through Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church; Life Community Church; Sequoia Church in Ottawa, Canada; Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Little Rock, Arkansas; the Appalachian Region; and numerous local ministries!