About Us

About Us

Mission

Love God and Love Others Passionately and Intentionally as Jesus Teaches Us

Values

These are the values that inspire and guide our church, because we believe God values these.

  • We value seeking God, His kingdom, and His will, through prayer, worship, service, and the study of the Scriptures.
  • We value knowing Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, trusting in His grace alone, experiencing freedom in Him, and watching for His return.
  • We value the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to live in holiness, peace, and joy and to fulfill God’s purposes for us individually and as His church.
  • We value the gospel of Jesus Christ, believing it is truly good news, and we are committed to make disciples of Jesus in our community and around the world.
  • We value the love and fellowship we experience in Christ, encouraging and helping each other as members of God’s family.
  • We value unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are committed to unity in essential matters of faith and to freedom in matters of opinion, looking to the Word of God to discern the difference.
  • We value the call of Christ to use our spiritual gifts and material blessings to serve others in love, and we are committed to develop servant hearts and generous spirits.
  • We value our congregation’s heritage of faith and grace, and we are committed to pursue simple, biblical, nondenominational Christianity.

History

In September of 1873 a small group of Christians committed to simple, biblical, nondenominational Christianity started a church in what was then known as McWhirtersville (now Donelson). They called themselves simply “Disciples of Christ, McWhirtersville, Tennessee.” The name of the church was changed to “Church of Christ, Donelson, Tennessee” in 1900, and in 1905 moved to our present location. For over 140 years we have remained here in the heart of Donelson serving this community. Though we are an independent, self-governing congregation, we enjoy close association with other Churches of Christ which come from our same heritage of faith. But we also enjoy fellowship with other Christians in our community.

The rapid growth of the community and our church in the 1950s and ’60s led to the building of our present auditorium in 1965 and an activity center in 1972. The chapel and more classrooms were added in 1987. In 2012 a faith-building campaign raised 1.5 million dollars for construction of new basement classrooms, new lobby and loft areas, additional bathrooms, as well as major refurbishing of children’s classrooms.

This congregation’s strong commitment to helping people is visible in the acquisition of a family care home for families in crisis, a benevolence center providing food, clothing, and other assistance to those in need, and our strong ties to our Pencil Partner McGavock Elementary School. Once a week our activity center is used to provide shelter for the homeless as part of the Room in the Inn ministry and it is used to provide meals and weekly ESL classes.

In recent decades, the character of our church has been impacted by a number of ministers. Those who have served as preachers include: Bob Hendren (1970- 1989); Randy Harris (1990-2000); Lipscomb University professors Mark Black, John York, and Lee Camp (2001-2003); Rob McRay (2003-2010); Earl Lavender (2010-2011); and Russ King (2011-2024).

Jim Parnell was our first full-time youth minister, beginning in 1974. He served in a variety of roles until his retirement in 2014. Frank Batson has served for many years as an associate minister and an elder. Richard Van Dyke served as an associate minister from 1994-2006.

Danny Gregg has served as youth minister from 1989-2024 and is now our worship leader. Christie Beddow is our middle-school minister, Abby Carter is our children’s minister, and Craig Thomas is our youth minister. Mark Powell is serving as our current lead minister, Drue Clark is our discipleship minister, and Russ King is our senior adult ministry coordinator.

Shepherds

Our church, like churches in the New Testament, is overseen by godly men who serve as elders. As shepherds of God’s flock, they are responsible for the spiritual direction of the church and for watching over the members of our church family. They were chosen by the congregation based on their spiritual leadership and the example of their character and family life.

Jim & Beverly Atwood

Frank & Judy Batson

Jim & Shirley Biffle

Charlie & Kathy Brumit

Kent & Judy Clinger

Rob & Kelly Lyles

Brian & Kym McDonald

(2024 Chairman)

Tommy Purkey

Stan & Jenny Romine

Keith & Alisa Taylor

Steve & Julie Taylor

Roy
Young

Ministers & Staff

Our ministers and staff are called to spend their days in service to the Donelson Church family and the surrounding community.

Please reach out to them if you need anything.

Mark Powell​

Lead Minister

Danny Gregg

Worship Minister

Drue Clark

Discipleship Minister

Abby Carter

Children's Minister

Christie Beddow

Middle School Youth Minister

Craig Thomas

High School Youth Minister

Janice Henegar​

Office Manager​

Jennifer Sherrill​

Administrative Assistant​

Cindy Farrar​

Weekday Preschool Director

Russ King

Senior Adult Ministry Coordinator

Mark Powell​

Mark Powell became Lead Minister of the Donelson Church of Christ in fall 2024. Before coming to Donelson, he was dean and professor of theology at Harding School of Theology in Memphis, where he taught for 22 years. Mark holds degrees from Lipscomb University, Emory University, and Southern Methodist University, and continues to teach as an adjunct professor in Harding University’s Doctor of Ministry program. Mark has also served in preaching ministry, urban ministry, church planting, and adult education for churches in Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee. He is originally from Conyers, Georgia, just east of Atlanta. Mark and his wife Debbie have been married since 1995 and have three adult children. Mark enjoys the outdoors, college football, and NASCAR racing. What he is most passionate about, though, is worship, following God’s lead, preaching God’s word, and helping the Donelson church participate in God’s global mission starting in Nashville.

Danny Gregg

BIO COMING SOON

Drew Clark

Drue Clark began serving as Donelson’s Discipleship Minister in August of 2023. This followed 6 years of serving in the role of Associate Minister of Church Life at DCC. He is a graduate of Lipscomb University, with a B.A. (Ministry & Theology: Preaching and Youth Ministry) degree and a Master of Divinity degree. Drue grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire, where his family has served the Kingdom of God for many years. He also is a trained Spiritual Director. Drue is married to a wonderful nurse named Arden as of August 2020. They enjoy eating Mexican food and walking the greenway. Drue is an avid golf, donut, and baseball enthusiast! If you have any questions for Drue (or would simply like to grab lunch!), feel free to email him.

Abby Carter

Abby has attended Donelson Church of Christ since she was five years old. She and her husband and children are so thankful to be a part of the family here at Donelson. Abby enjoys creating beauty in the most ordinary places. She is always planning an event and preparing for the next thing. Making sure children feel loved and accepted is her passion. Serving within this ministry has been such a special experience. Being able to work alongside the Bible teachers that poured into her as a child is indescribable. Abby’s ultimate desire in this role is to create a place for families to raise their children to love the Lord. It takes a village and our Children’s Ministry team is here to love your child and share the love of God with them.

Christie Beddow

Christie Beddow has been the middle-school Minister at Donelson since 2014. Before moving to Nashville, she was sent and supported by Donelson as a missionary to Olomouc, Czech Republic where she served from 2006 until 2013. Christie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Disorders. Christie’s goal is to minister to the middle schoolers in such a way that they will live in confidence that they are completely loved by God and that they can serve the church no matter their youth. Christie is married to Peter Beddow and they attend Donelson together.

Craig Thomas

Craig Thomas serves as our youth minister. He is from Colorado and received his education from Harding University (Bachelors), and Lipscomb University (Masters & Spiritual Direction certification). Craig is married to Shyann and they have two kids named Marian and LeeRoy. Shyann and Craig met on the short term mission field in Zambia. Missions is a huge passion of both their lives. Craig enjoys many different disciplines such as reading, photography, woodworking, running, basketball, hiking, golf and more. He seeks to combine his love for learning with participating in old and new activities to reach the hearts of the youth in the church so they can know how deeply loved by God they are.

Janice Henegar​

Janice Henegar has been a member of the Donelson staff since 1980. She is currently serving in an administrative roll. Janice has called Donelson home since 1958. She and her husband, Greg, both grew up here at Donelson. They have three adult children and three grandchildren all members of the Donelson family.

Jennifer Sherrill​

Jennifer Sherrill began working as a part-time Donelson staff assistant in June 2014. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Studies with a Child Development and Family Studies concentration. Jennifer grew up at Donelson and attends with her husband, Craig, and their three children.

Cindy Farrar​

Cindy Farrar has been with the Donelson Preschool for 33 years and the director for 23. She is married to Bob and has 4 grown sons, Lance & Annie, Tyler & Jamey, Matt & Lauren and Chris. They all attended preschool here at Donelson. Her love of children and them knowing, learning and loving Jesus is her mission here at the Preschool. She enjoys gardening, thrifting, and loving on her 10 beautiful grandchildren.

Russ King

In January 2025 Russ began as our part-time Sr. Adult Ministry Coordinator. He facilitates our ministry for – and by – those who are 60+ years of age. The ministry includes various opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, service, and fun. Russ and his wife, Donna, enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren who are scattered across the U.S.