Hendersonville First United Methodist Church sits at 217 East Main Street in the heart of Hendersonville, Tennessee, just north of Nashville in Sumner County. The congregation lives out a single mission - "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world" - through four movements: Know, Grow, Serve, and Share. HFUMC is known in the community for offering two distinct Sunday worship styles, a long-running nonprofit preschool called Children First, and a unique weekday respite program called Friends First that serves adults with early-stage dementia, Parkinson's, and similar conditions.
Two Sunday Mornings, Two Worship Styles
Every Sunday the church gathers twice, and the contrast between the two services is part of the draw.
The 8:30 AM traditional service fills the Sanctuary with classic hymns, liturgy, and the church choir. Most worshippers arrive in business casual, though no one is expected to dress up - the church teaches that people come to God as they are.
At 10:45 AM, the contemporary service moves to the Gym. Modern worship songs lead into a sermon, a praise band carries the music, and a coffee bar keeps things relaxed. Shorts, jeans, and dresses all show up in equal measure.
Both services are also livestreamed on YouTube, and sermon recordings are archived online for anyone who wants to catch up later.
Children First Preschool
Children First Preschool is a nonprofit childcare center serving children ages 6 weeks through 6 years old, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its philosophy centers on three principles: learning, playing, and exploring, and the staff keeps low child-to-teacher ratios so each child can build a strong self-identity.
Erica Steen is the Director, and Emma Oaks is the Assistant Director. Together they lead a team with deep early-childhood experience. Parents can schedule a tour by calling (615) 824-8954.
HFUMC Kids: Nursery Through Sixth Grade
The church's children's ministry picks up where the preschool leaves off and runs alongside Sunday morning worship.
Nursery care is available every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to noon, staffed by trained and screened caregivers. Preschool Sunday School meets 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with age-appropriate Bible lessons, worship, crafts, and play time. Elementary Sunday School runs the same 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. hour with interactive large-group worship, games, and skits that then break into small groups by grade.
Sixth graders also have a Sunday-night Confirmation class that walks them through the basics of the Christian faith and Methodist identity, along with service projects and retreats. Brittany May serves as Director of Children's Ministries.
HFUMC Youth
The youth ministry welcomes students in grades 6 through 12 and meets them where they are. The motto is "Real Faith. Real Fun. Real Friends."
On Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., middle schoolers and high schoolers gather together and then split into age-appropriate small groups. Sunday nights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. bring dinner, games, music, teaching, and small groups together in the Youth Lounge on the third floor. David Hall is the Director of Youth Ministry.
A Wide Range of Adult Sunday School Classes
Adult formation at HFUMC runs through more than a dozen Sunday School classes meeting around 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., so newcomers can almost always find a fit.
Waymakers (Room M-209) gathers singles and couples in their 30s and early 40s for video- and discussion-based studies. The Foundry (Room M-221) reaches a similar demographic of singles and couples in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Faithbuilders (Room M-208) is geared toward late 40s through young 60s, with Right Now Media video series alternating between Bible lessons and topics like parenting teens or aging parents. Pathfinders (Room A-231) is for growing families in their 40s and 50s, with peer-led Bible study and a yearly family retreat. Community (Room AW-235) welcomes young professionals, newlyweds, and new parents.
For older adults, Good News (Room AW-233) and Genesis (Room AW-235) host active fellowship and mission engagement, while the Followers Class (Room M-205) is one of the oldest at the church, ranging from those in their 20s to their 90s. Ben Alexander (Room M-207) brings together singles and couples 60 and over, Friendship (Room CLC-251) is a lay-led group, and Poe Williams (Room CLC-250) carries decades of United Methodist tradition. Searchers (Room CLC-253) works through the Bible chapter by chapter.
Renew Young Adults (Room M-306) reaches ages 18 to 24, and Companions meets twice a week - Sunday mornings on Zoom and one weekday meal out - for adults in their golden years.
Friends First Respite Care
One of the most distinctive ministries at HFUMC is Friends First, an adult respite care program held in Genesis Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The program welcomes adults in the early to middle stages of dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke recovery, and similar conditions.
Participants enjoy a safe, fun, and respectful day with social activities, lunch, snacks, and drinks, while family caregivers receive four hours of respite. There is also an ongoing caregiver's support group led by Julie Vero, a retired licensed clinical social worker from the church. Cindy Wasden directs the ministry. A one-time $75 enrollment fee applies, along with a $50 per-day program fee. The program is closed on church and federal holidays.
ImpACT Sumner and Community Outreach
The Missions Committee coordinates the church's community outreach under the banner of ImpACT Sumner, working with a network of local partner ministries. These include Grace Place, the Shalom Zone, the Hendersonville Samaritans Association, Children Are People, and Room In The Inn, among others. The group also sends teams on youth mission trips and runs an Amazon Wish List for outreach supplies.
Stephen Ministry
HFUMC runs a Stephen Ministry program in which trained lay volunteers walk alongside people facing grief, illness, divorce, loneliness, spiritual crisis, or other life difficulties. Each Stephen Minister completes a 50-hour course, a background check, and ongoing supervision. The ministry is strictly confidential. Anyone interested in receiving care can reach the Stephen Leaders at stephenministry@hfumc.org.
United Women in Faith
The local chapter of United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) gathers women of all ages for mission, Bible study, and fellowship. The larger circle meets on the first Tuesday of each month, with social time at 10:00 a.m. and a program at 10:30 a.m. Three smaller circles - Esther, Hannah, and Lydia - meet at different times and focus on specific missions including backpacks for Sumner County schools, supplies for Gene Brown Elementary, and support for Children Are People.
Young at Heart
Older adults ages 55 and up find community through Young at Heart, which meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. for fellowship, a program featuring community musicians or guest speakers, and a shared meal. RSVPs go to Deanna Fuqua at (615) 969-7287.
What HFUMC Believes
The church teaches classical Christian doctrine from a Methodist perspective. God is the one living and true Creator, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully man, who died on the cross for the sins of believers and rose again three days later. The Holy Spirit is God's presence living in believers, giving power for Christian living and ministry. Salvation is a gift received by confessing sin and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord. The Bible, inspired by God, is the rule and guide for faith and practice. Jesus will return to receive believers and judge the living and the dead.
Planning a Visit
HFUMC is located at 217 East Main Street in Hendersonville. The church reserves parking spots near the door for visitors, families with small children, and anyone with mobility needs. Dress is up to the individual; coffee follows each service, and visitors are invited to meet the pastors afterward. Nursery care is available from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
For ongoing connection, the church offers a weekly newsletter, a free Right Now Media account with thousands of Bible-study videos for all ages, and an active calendar of Bible studies, small groups, and fellowship events throughout the week. Online giving is available through the church's Realm platform. Plan a visit or watch the livestream to learn more.