We are all in service to serve as Christ served.
Franklin First United Methodist Church has received a clear vision from the Holy Spirit to “Seek First the Kingdom of God” as inspired by the words found in Matthew 6:33. Jesus was speaking to the crowds, encouraging them not to worry for God will provide for our every need when he chose to say these words “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV). We trust and believe this is God’s plan for Franklin First UMC, and we work together to Seek First the Kingdom of God in all areas of our congregation.
When it comes to missions, Franklin First engages with local and international mission partners in a variety of ways. We choose to spend our money, give our time, and offer our prayers in missional ways throughout our community all in an effort to Seek God’s Kingdom first by serving as Christ served us. Jesus Christ modeled servanthood for us, and we seek to embody that very spirit in our world, sharing the love of God with all we meet along the way. We engage in missions as a congregation but also through our United Methodist connection, joining together with other United Methodist Churches to share this calling to live missionally.
We have a long and rich history of being a mission-minded congregation, and we hope that as we continue to Seek God’s Kingdom that the Spirit will always lead us to places where we are called to serve and share the light of Christ. Will you join us in this work?
Love, Pastor Carlisle, and the FFUMC Missions Committee
FIND THE WAY TO SERVE
THAT FITS YOU BEST
Here are some ways we serve.
Franklin First UMC Missions
Guatemala
Central America
Franklin First has a long history of serving in Guatemala dating back to 1999. Our visits to Guatemala have taken many different shapes and many organizations. Today, we continue our love for Guatemala with a partnership with
ACD Guatemala.
Franklin First, through the vision of several leaders, became a founding partner for ACD Guatemala (Association for Creativity and Development). ACD is a non-profit and faith-based organization with a mission to serve children and families that are exposed to vulnerable conditions, including violence and irregular migration in rural Guatemala.
ACD focuses on education, […]
Disaster Response
Wherever we are called
Disasters happen all over our nation wherever and whenever we least expect them. When disaster strikes, communities are devastated by the loss. In order to love our neighbors, Disaster Response Ministries at FFUMC equip us to be a prepared and grace-filled body of servants ready to help as needed.
We respond to disasters in two unique ways. One way we are called to serve is by sending our trained Early Response Team to assist in communities that have been impacted by the recent disaster. This ministry happens after […]
The Giving Garden & The Giving Garden on the Go
Main Campus: 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin
The Giving Garden was formed in 2009 after Franklin First UMC acquired 107 acres of land to build our new campus. While planning for the construction of our future home, this beautiful land located on the site of a former horse farm lay awaiting God’s guidance. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a small group of church members saw the potential for using this land to grow healthy produce for our hungry neighbors. From a humble start as a small pumpkin patch, the Giving […]
Liberty Elementary School Partnership
Franklin, TN
Our partnership with Liberty Elementary came about when school leaders reached out to FFUMC in need. These needs take different shapes but over the past few years, Franklin First has sought to love our neighbors by responding to these needs. Our partnership with this local elementary school is based on a larger mission for all churches in our community to partner with and support the youth in our schools.
As these relationships are formed we can more easily be aware of the needs in our community and therefore Franklin First […]
Meals on Wheels
Franklin, TN
Meals on Wheels was started at Franklin First back in 1975 when several church members noticed the need to provide warm meals to the elderly or homebound in our neighborhood. Through the years, this small group grew into a community movement including several other faith-based organizations. Today, 11 groups come together to cook meals for around 130 guests following the 8 routes the drivers follow.
Meals on Wheels is a beautiful picture of what it looks like for the community to come together to love their neighbors.
Different groups have assigned […]
Project Transformation Tennessee
Nashville, TN
Based on a model founded in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, Project Transformation Tennessee launched in 2012 to address three unique challenges with
one program:
1, How to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs
of children;
2. How to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young leaders for the church and the world; and
3. How to help churches connect with their communities.
Franklin First UMC’s Courtney Aldrich Lawson experienced Project Transformation as a college student in Texas, and the Spirit led her to bring this […]
Room in the Inn
Main Campus; Franklin, TN
Room in the Inn is a Nashville-based ministry serving men, women, and children who are experiencing homelessness. During the months of November-March, our church hosts a group of 12 individuals on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
When guests arrive from Nashville, they receive a warm dinner, a place to shower, a safe place to rest, and breakfast and lunch to go. Guests are also provided with any new clothing or toiletry needs they may have. While there were many churches that hosted Room in the Inn guests at one […]
The Blessing Box
Main Campus: 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin
The first Blessing Box on our Main Campus was established during COVID when FFUMC member Michelle Keith began painting. When a few of her paintings yielded unexpected income, Michelle wanted to follow a dream to place a free little pantry on our campus. Some handy carpenters built the first box and our middle school girls painted it. Very soon our first Blessing Box was placed at our circle drive near the intersection at Mack Hatcher.
A few years later, some local scouts came to us with […]
Take the Reins at White Fawn Farm
Franklin, TN
Take the Reins at White Fawn Farm is a therapeutic riding ministry on the south side of Franklin serving children 4-18 years of age. Interaction with the horses helps children with emotional and physical needs experience love and build confidence. Certified PATH therapeutic riding instructors lead while volunteers help with various activities. Take the Reins at White Fawn Farm is a 501c3 organization with a Board of Directors.
At one time, Take the Reins was hosted on the farm of Franklin First church members. When those church members moved away, […]
Connectional Missions
Africa University
Zimbabwe (Africa)
We have been a partner with Africa University since 2004. The university itself was established in Multare, Zimbabwe in 1985. http://www.africau.edu/
Africa University is the first fully-accredited United Methodist-related education institution on the African continent. They offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
They offer both bachelor’s and master’s programs, including several specialized programs to form new leaders called to tackle the food insecurity issues in our world. We welcome Africa University leaders to come and join us for worship and we collect special offerings to help sponsor 1-2 students for their […]
UMCOR
Everywhere
As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Committee on Relief – UMCOR – assists United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need. UMCOR comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters – famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire or other events—to alleviate suffering and serve as a source of help and hope for the vulnerable.
UMCOR provides relief, response and long-term recovery grants when events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR […]
Emenezer UMC
Nashville
Ebenezer UMC is a Nashville-based Methodist Church serving the Hispanic/Latino community. This church began in 2012 with a small Bible study and outreach program. Through the years, this small gathering grew into a worshipping body of over 60 persons with 65% of those being children and youth.
Franklin First has supported this ministry’s birth through grants, prayers, and the fellowship of many Franklin First UMC members who have worshiped with Ebenezer regularly.
Franklin First continues to support Ebenezer in our prayers and financially by providing funds for their overall budget and specifically […]