Missions and Outreach
We believe service to God and neighbor is an essential Biblical mandate.
Serving in ministry and mission is an important part of our discipleship as Christians.
“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?’
“The King will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.’
Matthew 25: 37-40 (MEV)
ABOUT MISSIONS
We connect the called to the calling. Our members seek to put God's love into action for the transformation of the world. We equip and empower congregants to address the tangible and spiritual needs of our neighbors. Come serve with us!
MISSIONS TEAMS
See below for information on our active Missions Teams deeply engaged in this work of service in our community:
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Join Career Transitions each week for networking opportunities and career success advice from professionals across Greater Nashville.
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We are a group of Christians at Brentwood United Methodist Church who believe that all creation is sacred and that as Christians we are called to be stewards of and to take actions to restore God’s creation.
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The Middle East North Africa Initiative works to provide training and financial/relational support of pastors and local churches in the MENA region so that they are empowered to share the strength and support of faith through their local churches with their neighbors in word and deed.
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The Race & Faith Team pursues racial justice, peace, and reconciliation within our church and greater community through education, relationships, advocacy, partnering, and action.
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The Refugee & Migrant Ministry's mission is to develop a structure and process for BUMC members to promote compassionate care for immigrants.
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The Repair & Restore Ministry is a group of women and men volunteering to help people in our church community in need of home repairs or maintenance.
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Room in the Inn provides programs that emphasize human development and recovery through education, self-help and work, centered in community and long term support for those who call the streets of Nashville home.
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Our South Africa Outreach program supports our three partner schools in pursuit of education, healthcare, nutrition, and safety for children in the Howick, South Africa area.
Strategic Partners
We are invested in generational change. Our Strategic Partner relationships are 20+ year examples of our long-term missional impact. Strategic Partners are nonprofit organizations that were formed out of BUMC and now operate independently with ongoing support from our congregation. These partnerships remain a church-wide priority.
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Harvest Hands is a catalyst for Christ-centered, holistic community development working alongside our neighbors to further education, healthy living, spiritual formation, and economic development in South Nashville.
Harvest Hands began as a vision of the late Dr. Howard Olds—former pastor of Brentwood United Methodist Church—to partner with an under-resourced neighborhood in Nashville for positive change. The idea centered on sharing resources, experiences, and expertise of the church in relationship with neighbors in South Nashville. In 2007, Brentwood United Methodist Church hired Rev. Brian Hicks to lead the effort in making this vision a reality.
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Healing Housing is Williamson County's first transitional living program with a mission to shelter and love women healing from addiction. Opened in early 2017, Healing Housing’s two homes provide a safe, supportive environment where women who have completed drug treatment can continue to grow in their sobriety.
The faith-based program offers life-changing opportunities for women in need, including access to counseling, life skills training, savings programs, individualized healing plans, required outside employment, money management & budgeting courses, mandatory guided 12-step work, opportunities for weekly Bible study, community involvement, and mentorship.
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The Ministry Leadership Center (formerly The Center for Youth Ministry Training - CYMT) equips leaders and faith communities for transformational ministry so future generations may embody Christ’s love in the world. MLC offers specialized education and practical training in children’s, youth, college, and community ministry through their graduate and certificate programs. MLC’s Ministry Transformation Lab helps congregations reimagine ministry for their community.
In 2005, a task force was created with members from Brentwood United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church (Nashville) with the intention of exploring the possibilities of starting a youth ministry training program. In 2006, with the approval of both the First Presbyterian Session and the Brentwood United Methodist Church Council, the Center for Youth Ministry Training was born. In 2025, CYMT broadened its mission and became the Ministry Leadership Center (MLC) to equip leaders in all kinds of ministry roles, across diverse contexts, and empower them to transform their communities.
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Separate from our South Africa Outreach Lay Team, South Africa Outreach is also the umbrella ministry that we use to refer to our three partner schools in South Africa — Brentwood Pre-Primary School, Angels' Care Centre, and Thembelihle Primary School. Each of these schools run independently from BUMC, but are supported annually through sponsorship and aid funding, the fundraising for which is the primary focus for our South Africa Lay Team.