Harpeth Heights Church Family,

As most of you know, Brandon Owen has been called to a new church. Like you, we were sad to hear this news, but we certainly wish Brandon and his family well in his new opportunity, and we’re excited for the work the Lord is calling him to do there. While this news is not what we would have wanted, we want you to know that as soon as we became aware of this, we began preparing and planning for the future. We’re excited about what God has in store for Harpeth Heights, and we’re reminded in transitions such as these of the benefits and shared support that the larger Brentwood Baptist family provides. We hope to share an update soon, which will include more details about the process for identifying and confirming the next Campus Pastor for Harpeth Heights.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is our Senior Pastor right now?


Fady Al-Hagal, who currently serves as our Church Multiplication Minister, will be serving as your interim Campus Pastor. Fady is highly relational, incredibly pastoral, and uniquely gifted to provide wisdom and leadership to you during this season of transition. Our North Region Associate Executive Pastor, Bill Ferrell, will work closely with your campus staff regarding day-to-day campus operations during the interim period. Aaron Bryant, our North Regional Lead Pastor, will ensure that your staff is cared for and supported as they continue to provide leadership in each ministry area of the church.

Who is on the Team tasked with searching for our next Campus Pastor?


Both Bill Ferrell and Aaron Bryant will provide guidance to a search team that’s comprised of Harpeth Heights members and select Staff Resource Team (SRT) representatives. We’re grateful that the following Harpeth Heights members will be serving on the search team:

Patsy Grooms (church member and SRT member)
Gary Woodard (church member and deacon chair)
Rebekah Martin (church member)

How does the search process work?


Aaron Bryant will ultimately direct the search, and candidates will advance through steps:

    • Initial screening and phone interview.
    • Answer a series of written questions related to theology and ministry practices.
    • Complete the PLACE and Strengthfinders Assessments.
    • Evaluation of sermons either in person or by video
    • Meet with full search team.
    • Once a final candidate is selected, they will be reviewed/approved by the full Brentwood Staff Resource Team and ultimately hired by the Board of Trustees.
    • During the process, the search team will provide monthly updates to the congregation.

What can I pray for during this time of transition?


Pray for Brandon Owen and his family. Pray that God will use Brandon in his next ministry opportunity to be fruitful for God’s Kingdom.

Pray for your campus staff during this transition, and for church leadership to have wisdom and unity of heart and mind during this search process.

Pray for the next Campus Pastor. Pray for him and his family as God stirs their hearts to come to us. Pray for their transition to us and their future ministry with us.

What is the search team focusing on when looking for a Campus Pastor?


A pastor who can articulate a sense of calling and confirmation to this specific ministry assignment, and how God has been preparing him for this moment. We want to identify someone who desires to develop and lead the campus staff and provide pastoral leadership to the congregation, as much as they feel called to preach and teach. An ability to cast vision for reaching this community with the gospel is essential, as well as the ability to implement that vision among the staff and congregation.

What is the timeline for the search?


While there is no definitive timeline for the search, we believe the Lord will guide us quickly to what He has in store for us next and allow for a timely but measured transition to occur in 2023.