A Three-Campus Family in Nashville and Franklin
Christ Presbyterian Church gathers under one vision across three locations in Middle Tennessee. The original congregation meets on Old Hickory Boulevard on Nashville's west side, where the church has stood since 1984. A second campus, Music Row, meets in Wightman Chapel at the Scarritt Bennett Center, a few blocks south of downtown Nashville and within walking distance of many of the city's music industry offices and studios. The newest campus, Cool Springs, worships in Franklin, just south of Nashville, in a space on Seaboard Lane that the congregation moved into in November 2021. Each campus has its own lead pastor, musicians, and volunteer teams but shares the same vision, doctrinal commitments, and pathway of discipleship.
The shared vision is short enough to memorize: "To be a Bible-centered, prayer-driven church committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ." The shared mission names three commitments that shape everything from Sunday worship to weekly small groups - worship God in spirit and in truth, encourage one another to love and good works, and serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace until the Lord comes again. Those commitments show up in the church's name for its three-step discipleship pathway: Worship, Encourage, Serve.
Sunday Worship at Old Hickory Blvd
The Old Hickory Blvd campus is centrally located, multi-generational, and explicitly welcomes Christians, spiritual seekers, and skeptics. The main gathering is a 9 a.m. service in the Sanctuary, followed at 10:30 a.m. by a Sunday School hour for all ages, with nursery care provided for children six months through three years. The campus sits where Old Hickory Boulevard intersects with the neighborhoods of Nashville, Franklin, Bellevue, Brentwood, and Forest Hills, and the 49-acre property the church purchased in 1984 still anchors the work.
Worship at Old Hickory Blvd blends classic and contemporary music with thoughtful liturgy expressed in a warm, relational, and accessible way. The music ministry draws on an eclectic mix of historic hymns and newer worship songs, supported by an Adult Choir and a Kids Choir. Teaching is expository, working through books of the Bible so that every sermon is derived from a text of Scripture in a way that is warm, relational, accessible, and relevant to believers, seekers, and skeptics alike.
A Welcome Center with a large circular counter just outside the Sanctuary doors is staffed on Sunday mornings to help guests find their way. Coffee and tea are available on the way in, and guests can park in lots P1 or P8. Each Sunday morning at 8:50 a.m., the Old Hickory Blvd service is livestreamed, with a replay available on demand at 10:30 a.m. and thereafter. Sign language interpretation in ASL is provided at the 9 a.m. service every Sunday. Each spring, the church also supports Camp Dove, an overnight camp for deaf youth and their siblings.
Sunday Worship at the Music Row Campus
The Music Row campus meets in Wightman Chapel at the Scarritt Bennett Center, 1008 19th Avenue South. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m. and is livestreamed at the same time. Metered street parking is available, and free parking is offered in the large and small lots off 18th Avenue. Once inside Wightman Chapel, a Host Team member greets guests at the main chapel entrance facing 19th Avenue, answers questions, helps with seating, and points families toward the Kids building. Coffee, donuts, and time for fellowship follow the service.
The Music Row congregation describes its worship as a rich blended service that connects to the deep theology of the church's tradition and the contemporary life of Nashville. The music engages hearts and minds through historical hymns and contemporary songs, with a band that reflects the musical character of the city. Teaching is expositional in nature with an emphasis on Biblical literacy and storytelling, addressing both hearts and minds.
The Music Row House, a separate property the church purchased on 17th Avenue South in 2025, hosts hospitality and discipleship events throughout the week and serves as staff offices. The campus runs College Lunches after the 9:30 a.m. service, monthly Newcomer Lunches for those exploring the church, and other gatherings for young adults.
Sunday Worship at the Cool Springs Campus
In Franklin, the Cool Springs campus meets at 325 Seaboard Lane, Suite 100, with two Sunday worship services in the Sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. A Sunday School hour for all ages is offered between the services at 9:45 a.m. The 8:30 a.m. service is livestreamed, with replays available on demand.
The Cool Springs liturgy pulls from both the ancient and the modern, with a mix of strings, piano, guitar, and drums. The teaching is exegetical, working carefully through specific passages of Scripture and emphasizing Biblical literacy and storytelling in an approachable way. The Lord's Supper is a weekly part of the service, and the Communion Table is described as the centerpiece of weekly worship.
A Welcome Desk is staffed on Sunday mornings with coffee available, and the Kids Check-In Desk in the Kids Hallway is the first stop for families with children from birth through third grade. The campus also gathers for seasonal events throughout the year, including an all-church retreat weekend at Deer Run called Camp Cool Springs.
What to Wear
Across all three campuses, visitors are invited to dress in whatever is most comfortable. Some arrive in their Sunday best or dresses; others wear jeans or something more casual. As Music Row puts it, "It is what's in the heart, not the outward appearance that matters most."
Children and Students
Programming for children from birth through fifth grade is offered at every campus on Sunday mornings, with a consistent philosophy of partnering with parents as the primary disciple-makers in their children's lives. At Old Hickory Blvd, Kids Ministry runs at 9 and 10:30 a.m., with full programming for children from six months through Kindergarten during the worship service and additional activities during the Sunday School hour. At Music Row, Nursery care and classes for children six weeks through five years are offered during the worship service, and Kindergarten through third graders are released during the sermon for age-appropriate teaching on the second floor of Fondren Hall. At Cool Springs, nursery care through Kindergarten is available during both services, with first through third graders attending a class during the sermon. Fourth and fifth graders at every campus attend worship with their families and receive Kids Worship Guides with questions designed to spark family discussion.
Children's ministry uses The Gospel Project for some ages and The Biggest Story and Foundations of God's Word for others. All adult volunteers are background checked and trained, and the staff, elders, deacons, and volunteers train regularly on safety and emergency protocols. Children with special needs are welcomed at every campus with individualized care plans, access to fidgets and quiet spaces, visual schedules, and one-on-one buddies as needed.
Youth Ministry for middle and high school students is a major focus at each campus. At Old Hickory Blvd, students gather for Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday Night Live at 6:30 p.m., with the middle school gathering at the Hope House. At Music Row, the youth group for grades 6 through 12 meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at a host home, with a Sunday lunch and study from 12 to 1:30 p.m. that rotates between SATCO and host homes. At Cool Springs, students in grades 6 through 12 meet for Youth Sunday School on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and for Youth Group on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., with food, fellowship, games, and Bible study. The youth ministry takes an annual summer mission trip to Belize to work with The Belize Project, one of the church's Missional Partners.
Adults: Men, Women, Young Adults, and Senior Adults
Christ Presbyterian organizes its adult ministry into Men, Women, Young Adults, and Senior Adults, each with its own rhythms and study opportunities. The church's Bible study catalog includes studies on covenants, the miracles of Jesus, the Old Testament, the prophets, the Psalms, the minor prophets, prayer, the Holy Spirit, hermeneutics, evangelism, the Sermon on the Mount, and more, with audio, video, and workbook resources available.
Women's ministry offers Bible studies across the campuses. Cool Springs hosts a Wednesday morning study from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with childcare provided, plus a Thursday evening option hosted at a member's home. Old Hickory Blvd hosts seasonal study groups in several formats and on different days of the week, including Tuesday morning, Monday evening, and other times. Throughout the year, special events include fellowship dinners, pottery nights, retreats, happy hours, and outreach events.
Men's ministry includes a year-round Tuesday morning Bible study at Cool Springs at 6:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, seasonal study groups at Old Hickory Blvd that meet on weekday mornings, and Pizza & Pint Nights and an annual Men's Overnight Hike at Cool Springs. At Music Row, monthly Third Thursday Happy Hours bring men together at the Music Row House.
Young Adults ministry at Music Row is designed for those in their twenties and thirties, a demographic the church recognizes as transient in a city that draws many young professionals. The Young Professionals program is a weekly, three-month study for those 18 to 35 that meets at the Music Row House, with study nights and social events aimed at helping newcomers integrate into the church and the city. Senior Adults ministry at Old Hickory Blvd serves those 65 and older with study groups and special events.
Wednesday Nights at Old Hickory Blvd are a major gathering point for the whole church. The evening starts with dinner, followed by programming for all ages: adult studies, Adult Choir and Kids Choir rehearsals, kids programming, Wednesday Night Live for middle and high school students, and DivorceCare and GriefShare support groups. Mom's Mornings at Music Row gather mothers at the Music Row House on Wednesday mornings for coffee, a devotion, fellowship, and a craft for children.
Special Needs Ministry
Christ Presbyterian's Special Needs Ministry works to make sure that friends and neighbors with special needs feel welcome, and is described as one of the church's distinctive treasures. Programming for kids and adults with special needs is offered on Sunday mornings at each campus, along with monthly events and a quarterly Special Saturday program with Bible stories, music, and crafts. A monthly Special Needs Caregiver Support Group meets at Old Hickory Blvd during the Sunday School hour for coffee, prayer, and connection. Gigi Sanders leads the ministry as Director of Special Needs Ministry, with Anne Holland Clinton serving as Special Needs Coordinator at Old Hickory Blvd.
Care Ministry, Weddings, and Memorials
The Care Ministry walks alongside people through milestones and difficult seasons. At Old Hickory Blvd, the Care Team offers DivorceCare and GriefShare on Wednesday nights. DivorceCare is described as a welcoming and supportive environment for anyone navigating separation or divorce, regardless of circumstances, background, or marital status. GriefShare is a 13-week seminar and support group designed to help people heal from hurt and loss. The Care Ministry also operates a Meal Team for families facing surgery, illness, or the loss of a loved one, a Bereavement Team that helps with visitation and funeral services, a Prayer Team that meets weekly to pray over the worship service, and an Offering, Communion, and Host Team that serve in once-a-month rotations.
Church members facing concerns about abuse can reach out to Todd Teller, Pastor of Care, or Cheryl Roach, Director of Care, at Old Hickory Blvd, or to Russ Ramsey, Lead Pastor, or Melanie Rainer, Director of Care, at Cool Springs. Weddings are hosted at the church for members and regular attenders, except in the months of May and December, and inquiries are handled through the Care Ministry.
Becoming a Member: The CPC 101 Path
Membership at Christ Presbyterian is built around mutual care, accountability, and shepherding by elders and pastors. The path to membership runs through CPC 101, an informative and interactive eight-week class that walks participants through the church's mission, vision, and values, as well as the foundations of the Presbyterian faith. CPC 101 is offered at each campus on a rotating basis during the Sunday School hour. After completing CPC 101, prospective members apply for membership and meet with a pastor or elder to share their story. Newcomer Coffees at Old Hickory Blvd and Newcomer Desserts at Cool Springs are held periodically for those still exploring, and Newcomer Lunches at Music Row are open to anyone curious about the church.
What Christ Presbyterian Believes
The church's statement of faith begins with a broad embrace of biblical and historical Christianity, summarized in the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds and shaped by the five solas of the Protestant Reformation: Scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and to God alone be the glory. The church's constitution comprises the Westminster Standards, including the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Presbyterian Church in America's Book of Church Order.
On the Bible, the church teaches that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, without error in its original manuscripts, and the basis for all essential beliefs. On God, it affirms the classical doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three Persons, equally loved, honored, and adored. On Jesus Christ, it confesses him as fully God and fully human, the sole Mediator who restores the broken relationship between God and people. On the Holy Spirit, it affirms that he indwells followers of Christ, works with the Word to guide them in truth, and empowers believers for service.
Salvation is understood as activated when the Holy Spirit gives people a new heart and enables them to trust in Jesus alone. The church teaches that God will restore the entire creation to a condition of beauty, rest, joy, perfection, and freedom. Good works are seen as the natural outcome of authentic faith rather than the means of earning God's acceptance, and obedience to God's commands is described as an essential prerequisite for true human flourishing. On baptism, the church practices infant and believers' baptism by sprinkling, viewing it as a sign and seal of God's covenant of grace but not as inseparably connected to salvation. The Lord's Supper is celebrated regularly as the other sacrament of the New Testament church.
From Hillsboro High School to Old Hickory Boulevard
Christ Presbyterian Church met for the first time on January 4, 1981, under the leadership of its Founding Pastor, Dr. Cortez Cooper, with four generations gathering in a new congregation at Hillsboro High School. In the spring of that year, the congregation joined the Presbyterian Church in America, a relatively new denomination at the time. Scotty Smith was called as Assistant Pastor. The church spent its first years as a mobile congregation, setting up and taking down the elements of worship every Sunday.
In 1984, the congregation purchased forty-nine acres on Old Hickory Boulevard for $450,000 and held its first service in the new permanent home on May 13, 1984. Two years later, in September 1985, Christ Presbyterian Academy opened its doors as a ministry of the church, and in the same year Salama Urban Ministries was founded to serve in the Edgehill Community of Nashville. Both have grown steadily since their inception.
Dr. Cooper departed in 1985, and the church's next Senior Pastor was Dr. Peter Doyle, remembered as a deep thinker, theologian, and teacher. In 1988, Charles McGowan was called as Senior Pastor; under his leadership the church established a strong identity and vision for the future, and Christ Presbyterian Academy was expanded to a K-12 school. Dr. Ray Ortlund, a Biblical scholar and prolific writer, became Senior Pastor in 2004 and later founded Immanuel Church, Nashville's first Acts 29 congregation. Dr. Wilson Benton and his wife Pam came out of retirement to serve as Interim Senior Pastor in 2007 and stayed for a full five years. Rev. Scott Sauls began as Senior Pastor in 2012 and led the church through its growth as a multi-site congregation, planting new churches and launching the Nashville Institute for Faith & Work.
Multi-Site Growth and a New Senior Pastor
The Music Row campus held its first service on October 4, 2015, meeting at the Scarritt Bennett Center. The Cool Springs campus held its first worship service on October 7, 2018, originally meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel before moving into its current space on Seaboard Lane, with the first service in the new building held on November 14, 2021.
In 2015, Rev. Sauls and Missy Wallace launched the Nashville Institute for Faith & Work, an independent 501(c)(3) ministry that supports the integration of faith and work as part of the church's discipleship pathway. In November 2023, Pastor Sauls submitted his resignation, and Dr. David Filson was appointed Interim Senior Pastor. The church elected a Senior Pastor Search Committee chaired by elder Warren Asmus and began a 21-month search.
In early 2026, the congregation voted to affirm Rev. Paul Goebel as the church's next Senior Pastor. On April 28, 2026, Rev. Goebel received transfer affirmation from the Nashville Presbytery, and he was formally installed at Old Hickory Blvd in a service that fall. Rev. Goebel came to Christ Presbyterian from Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, where he served on staff since 2008 and most recently as Associate Pastor and member of the church's Executive Leadership Team. He is an ordained PCA minister, holds a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, and serves on the North Texas Presbytery's Theological Examination Committee. He is married to Jenni, and they have three daughters.
Christ Presbyterian Academy
Christ Presbyterian Academy is the largest ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church. The school opened in 1985 and expanded to a K-12 program in 1988. The academy is recognized as a separate ministry of the church but shares in its gospel mission, and the church holds an annual CPA Sunday to celebrate the school's gospel impact in the lives of students, families, and faculty.
Missional Living and Outreach
Missional Living at Christ Presbyterian organizes the church's outreach across four categories: Church Planting, Global, Mercy & Justice, and Public Faith. Local and global Missional Partners include Salama Urban Ministries, founded by the church in 1985 and still serving the Edgehill Community, alongside partners working in church planting, refugee support, hunger relief, women's transition, and faith and work integration. The Missional Advisory Team guides the allocation of mission dollars.
City Serve Days mobilize the congregation to serve neighbors and Missional Partners in tangible ways. A monthly First Fruits Food Drive at Cool Springs supports GraceWorks Ministries. Every summer, the youth take a mission trip to Belize to work with The Belize Project. The church also hosts an annual Global Missions Conference with missionary testimonies, keynote messages, and learning sessions, and runs City Groups that meet in homes for fellowship, prayer, and discussion.
Leadership and Pastoral Team
The pastoral team is led by Senior Pastor Paul Goebel, who serves across the three campuses. Dr. David Filson serves as Associate Pastor and Theologian in Residence. Lee Eric Fesko is the Pastor of Discipleship, Todd Teller is the Pastor of Care, Eric Van Zee is the Pastor of Missions, and Russ Ramsey is the Lead Pastor of the Cool Springs campus. At Old Hickory Blvd, Melanie Beasley directs Children's Ministry, Mac Purdy directs Youth Ministry, Gigi Sanders directs Special Needs Ministry, Cheryl Roach directs Care, and John-Mark McGaha directs Worship & Arts, with Mark Slaughter as Choir Director and Lauren Brett as Director of Adult Ministries. At Cool Springs, Melanie Rainer serves as Director of Ministry and Nate Evans as Director of Youth & Families.
Giving
Christ Presbyterian partners with Pushpay to provide online giving, with separate giving portals for each campus. Giving statements are accessible through an online account. Gifts can also be made by mail to the Old Hickory Blvd address, with the campus name (Old Hickory Blvd, Music Row, or Cool Springs) designated in the memo line. Stock and securities gifts are coordinated through Serena Lawson, Director of Finance. The Christ Pres Legacy Fund provides a vehicle for estate planning and other major gifts, supporting new and existing kingdom work locally and globally.
The church draws its vision for giving from 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Every gift, the church teaches, goes directly toward following Christ in his mission of loving people, places, and things to life.