A Disciple-Making Church on North Rutherford Boulevard
North Boulevard Church of Christ sits at 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, just a short drive from the Middle Tennessee State University campus. Founded in 1947, the congregation has spent more than 75 years building a single, sweeping vision: to see 5,000 new disciples made in Rutherford County within ten years, and to spark disciple-making movements "here, near, and far." What began as a small group praying in an old renovated barn has grown into a multisite ministry that gathers every Sunday in English, Spanish, and Chinese - in person at two physical campuses and online through a third digital campus.
The motto hanging over everything at North Boulevard is simple: "We love Christ. We love the Scriptures. We love you." Members of the Senior Leadership Team describe their goal as "part of a worldwide great awakening where every person on earth has the opportunity to say 'Yes!' to King Jesus." The church's three values - loving Christ, loving Scripture, and loving people - shape every program, every campus, and every budget decision.
The Story of North Boulevard
In 1942, a group of Christians from East Main Church of Christ in downtown Murfreesboro felt called to plant a new church. For five years they prayed, fund-raised, and planned. With $5,000 they bought an old barn on the corner of Lytle Street and North Tennessee Boulevard that had already been renovated into a large auditorium. Over 150 worshipers gathered there for the first time on Sunday, June 15, 1947, and North Boulevard Church of Christ was born.
Within a year the congregation had appointed elders and deacons and hired a full-time minister, and a children's Sunday school program was soon formed. By 1952 the church had outgrown the old barn and built a new building on Tennessee Boulevard across from what is now Middle Tennessee State University. In 1961 the Sunday gatherings had grown so crowded that two morning services became the norm - a tradition that continues today.
Throughout the 1960s, North Boulevard members helped found Middle Tennessee Christian School and the Stones River Manor senior living community. A ladies' quilting ministry formed to sew quilts for a regional children's home, and that group still meets every Monday morning in the Hebrews Way Hallway of the East Campus. Food and clothing drives, special collections, a large Meals on Wheels program, and active participation in local inner-city ministry all began in those early decades and continue today.
In the 1970s the church launched a youth ministry - now known as NBYG, the North Boulevard Youth Group - that involves and serves hundreds of teenagers each year. In the 1980s the Sonshine School was created as a Mother's Day Out program teaching children in the community about God. In the 1990s the church began sponsoring professional counseling for its members through AGAPE.
By the late 1990s the congregation had outgrown its second home, and on Easter Sunday 1997 the members moved into a new building on North Rutherford Boulevard - just a few months before the 50th anniversary of the founding. In 2013 the church set out to raise $1.6 million for a new 2020 Vision; the pledges that came in totaled $6.1 million. With that money North Boulevard paid off its East Campus mortgage, planted the West Campus in April 2014, and added spaces for its Latino and Chinese communities.
The 2020 Vision also funded a TV program called A New Day that broadcast the church's teaching into 74 nations, plus the equipment needed to begin livestreaming Sunday morning services online in October 2018. By January 2020 the TV broadcast was retired in favor of full online streaming, and the livestream grew into Boulevard Online, the church's digital campus. In 2022 a New Day Vision campaign raised another $12 million, much of it dedicated to building a permanent home for the West Campus, which opened on August 5 and 6, 2023.
Five Campuses, Three Languages
North Boulevard meets in five distinct locations under one shared mission. The original East Campus at 1112 N Rutherford Boulevard is home to the main English services, the Iglesia de Cristo Latino congregation, and the Chinese campus. The West Campus at 4950 Burnt Knob Road, which opened its permanent building in August 2023, serves the western side of Murfreesboro. Boulevard Online meets digitally every Sunday morning and through the week, with services streamed live and interactive classes held over Zoom. Iglesia de Cristo and the Chinese campus (基督教会) round out the five locations.
East Murfreesboro (English) gathers for worship at 8:00 and 10:30 am, with Bible classes for all ages at 9:30 am. Iglesia de Cristo meets at 10:30 am for Spanish worship, with Bible class at 9:30 am. The Chinese campus meets in the East building for Bible and English class at 9:30 am and Chinese-language worship at 10:45 am. West Murfreesboro gathers for English worship at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am, with children's classes at every service. Boulevard Online livestreams The Gathering at 10:20 am (Central Time), with an interactive Zoom Bible class at 9:15 am and a livestreamed Auditorium class at 9:30 am.
Sunday evening services are intentionally not offered so that members can attend LIFEgroups - the church's small groups - during that time.
What a Sunday Morning Looks Like
A gathering at North Boulevard runs about an hour. The Boulevard Worship team leads the congregation in singing, with lyrics projected on screens so everyone can follow along. Songs are followed by prayers of thanks and a Scripture-based message. After the sermon, a few more songs prepare the room for the Lord's Supper, which is celebrated every week as a remembrance of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. A gluten-free, dairy-free option is available at every campus. Online hosts and chat moderators stay on to greet newcomers, share "win stories," and walk through the three main takeaways from the message in a brief segment called The Big Three.
Dress runs the full range - some people come in suits and dresses, others in jeans and T-shirts. The church's own advice is simple: "Whatever you wear, we just really hope to see you next Sunday!"
Bible Classes Throughout the Week
Bible classes for every age meet at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings at every campus. Boulevard Online also livestreams the Auditorium class at 9:30 and runs an interactive Zoom Bible class at 9:15 am. Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm bring another round of classes, including Boulevard Kids classes at every campus and a "Dig Deeper" online class for adults. On Saturday mornings at 7:00 am and Monday through Friday at 7:00 am, the Daily House of Prayer gathers on Zoom for a shared prayer time that anyone can join. The Boulevard Online community also gathers on Tuesday mornings for the international "Among the Nations" LIFEgroup and on Thursday evenings for True North, a livestreamed gathering for teens.
LIFEgroups and Dgroups: The Heartbeat of the Church
North Boulevard describes itself as "a church of small groups, not a church with small groups." Two distinct kinds of small groups run throughout the week.
LIFEgroups are long-term groups of 6 to 16 people - men and women, marrieds and singles, believers and seekers - who meet weekly or twice a month in homes, communal spaces, or online. The goal of every LIFEgroup is to become a spiritual family, built around three rhythms: SEEK (pursuing God through study and prayer), SOCIALIZE (deepening relationships), and SERVE (caring for one another and others around them). LIFE Lessons, weekly videos and discussion guides that follow the Sunday sermon, are provided for any group that wants to use them.
Discovery Groups (Dgroups) are smaller, same-gender groups of 3 to 5 people committed to discipling one another. They meet regularly in public, communal spaces or online with deep accountability, focusing on Scripture, prayer, fasting, serving, and disciple-making. The goal is multiplication - each member is equipped and encouraged to eventually lead a new group.
Small groups are organized by campus. East Murfreesboro, West Murfreesboro, and Boulevard Online each have their own Small Groups Coordinators. Heather Mehaffey serves as the Small Groups Coordinator for the West Campus.
Boulevard Kids: Birth Through Fifth Grade
Boulevard Kids is the children's ministry at North Boulevard, organized at each physical campus under the leadership of Amy Sain, the church's longtime Children's Minister. Jordan Shirley serves as the Boulevard Kids Minister on the West Campus. Children's classes are offered from birth through sixth grade on the East Campus and birth through fifth grade on the West Campus, with a safe, secure check-in system at every entrance.
On the East Campus, Nursery and Preschool Praise are offered during the 8:00 and 10:30 am services, and combined classes for all ages meet at 9:30 am. Wednesday evening classes for all ages meet at 6:30 pm. On the West Campus, Nursery (0-18 months), Toddler Praise (18-36 months), Preschool Praise (3 years through Kindergarten), and Elementary Praise (1st through 5th grade) are all available during the 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am services.
The War Room, a dedicated prayer team for Boulevard Kids, lifts up prayer requests sent to warroom@boulevardkids.com confidentially every day. Boulevard Buddies provides a calm, supportive space for children who need extra help during Bible class. HOPE Special Needs Ministry serves families with special needs on the West Campus.
The Sonshine School, a Mother's Day Out program directed by Mechelle Alexander, meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the East Campus. It serves children from 12 months old (and walking) through Pre-Kindergarten, follows the Rutherford County School calendar, and teaches a Christ-centered curriculum. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year opened February 9 and the program is currently full.
NBYG: The North Boulevard Youth Group
Middle and high school students are served by NBYG, a thriving youth ministry that has been a hallmark of North Boulevard since the 1970s. David Skidmore has served as the Youth Minister since 2001, and his self-described mission is to be a "sycamore tree" to the teenagers of NBYG - "lifting them above the distractions of the crowd so they might see the approaching Savior more clearly." NBYG meets on both campuses - NBYG East at the Filling Station (the church's teen center at 1112 N Rutherford Blvd) and NBYG West on the west side of town.
The youth calendar is packed. Recent and ongoing activities include candle-making afternoons for high school girls, Sunday Night Live gatherings in host homes, fall retreats at TAG Camp in Lynchburg, Tennessee and Taylor Christian Camp in Holland, Kentucky, paintball outings, bonfires, and short-term mission trips that have included Ensenada, Mexico. Ignite, the college ministry, runs its own fall and spring retreats and connects with MTSU and other local campuses.
Adult Ministries for Every Stage of Life
North Boulevard organizes adult ministry around life stage and interest.
- Band of Brothers is the men's ministry, a brotherhood that serves the church, builds one another up, and holds each other accountable to righteous living.
- Boulevard Women develops real relationships among women and builds each other up in their walks with Christ.
- DRIVE is the young adult ministry for adults 18 to 35, offering Bible studies, retreats like Selah at Barefoot Republic Camp, bonfires, and small groups that help young adults navigate this stage of life. BLOOM, a monthly women's brunch and Bible study at Eggs Up Grill on Veterans Parkway, is one of DRIVE's signature gatherings.
- Enrich Marriage Ministry strengthens marriages through mentoring, encouragement, and shared experiences. A twice-yearly Marriage Mentorship Program pairs newer couples with "well-seasoned" couples for guided conversations.
- Thrive Singles Ministry helps singles grow in faith, build community, and serve boldly as singles in Christ.
- Young at Heart is the active-retirees' ministry for adults 55 and up, with day trips, excursions, travel, and good food together.
- Living Color helps people explore their unique God-given personality traits and how those traits fit into ministry and daily life.
The Counseling Center
North Boulevard's Counseling Center offers affordable Christian counseling with high levels of privacy and professionalism. The center is located off-campus to ensure confidentiality. Nathan Jernigan, M.A., LSPE, LPC-MHSP, serves as the Counseling Minister and offers individual psychotherapy, premarital counseling, marital therapy, family therapy, and psychological testing. AGAPE provides oversight, and fees are set on a sliding scale. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the counseling receptionist, Beverly Bryan, at 615-896-1305 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Celebrate Recovery and Grief Support
Celebrate Recovery meets every Monday night from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the East Campus. The program follows the familiar Christ-centered 12-step format to help people work through hurts, habits, and hang-ups, with adult, teen (The Landing), and children's (Celebration Place) tracks. Childcare is available for infants through kindergarten.
Two distinct grief ministries walk with people through the death of a loved one. GriefShare runs a 13-week support group at the West Campus on Wednesdays, with both daytime (10:00 am to noon) and evening (6:15 to 8:00 pm, with childcare) sessions. Life After Loss, offered at the East Campus, includes an 8-week Sunday-morning class during the Bible class hour, plus monthly Life After Loss Luncheons in the East Campus Fellowship Hall. DivorceCare at the West Campus helps people heal and rebuild after divorce or separation.
5-in-10: A Local Disciple-Making Goal
North Boulevard's signature local outreach initiative is the 5-in-10 plan: an audacious goal to see 5,000 new disciples made in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, and across Tennessee within ten years. The church invites everyone - members and neighbors alike - to be part of this effort. A series of free Discovery Bible Study bookmarks and resources from New Day Resources help anyone host their own Good News Study in a home, workplace, or coffee shop.
Other local ministries include the Food Pantry at the East Campus (which fills food bags for homeless students in Rutherford County); Meals on Wheels (which has prepared and delivered six nutritional lunches a week to homebound neighbors for over 45 years); the C.A.R.E.ing Hearts ministry for chronic disease patients, survivors, family members, and caregivers; Prison Ministry, which serves residents at the County Correctional Work Center and the local jail; Inner City Ministry; the Juvenile Detention Ministry; the Atlas Ministry (packing and delivering food bags for homeless students); and Stepping Stones, which serves women and children experiencing homelessness. The Orphan Care ministry mobilizes the church to care for the orphaned and oppressed, anchored in Isaiah 1:17.
Global Missions
North Boulevard financially supports a network of missionaries and disciple-making movements around the world. Active mission partners include Aaron and Marisa Bailey, working with displaced refugees in Mozambique; Harry and Audry Brown with New Generations Ministry in West Africa and Asia; James and Anita Forlines with Final Command Ministry in North Africa and the Horn of Africa; Life Transformation Ministry in the Horn of Africa; Shodankeh and Santa Johnson with New Harvest Ministry in Sierra Leone; Lawrence and Patience Oduro with a holistic ministry in Ghana that includes a hospital, water wells, a school, and hundreds of churches; Joseph Shulam in Israel; and Miguel and Jhoana Suarez in Armenia, Colombia, serving with Great Cities Missions. Each of these partnerships emphasizes Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) - indigenous, rapidly multiplying disciple-making efforts that train new disciples to make more disciples, several generations deep.
A Global Missions Encounter is held once a year at the East Campus, gathering all adult classes in the auditorium to hear updates and prayer needs from missionaries on the field.
What We Believe
North Boulevard teaches from the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and perfect Word of God. The church confesses belief in one God who lives in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and in Jesus Christ as God who became human to save us from our sins. Members believe that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus as both Savior and Lord, and that saving faith demonstrates itself in obedience to the will of God. Water baptism by immersion is taught as the point at which a believer dies to the old self and is raised to new life in Christ.
The church teaches holiness as a calling to live a life that reflects the purity, morality, and ethical standards of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the church as the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, the temple of the Spirit, the family of God, and "the pillar and ground of the truth," whose core mission is to make disciples of all nations. The church looks for the personal return of Jesus Christ, when He will raise all humanity from the dead - to eternal life for those who have believed and to eternal death for those who have refused.
The Statement of Faith includes three points of clarification on current issues: the church stands for the sanctity of life and against abortion; defines marriage as between one man and one woman; and emphasizes racial reconciliation as a Gospel priority, welcoming believers of every ethnicity into the Kingdom of God.
Leadership and Organization
The spiritual oversight of North Boulevard rests with a group of Shepherds (elders): James Farley, Edwin Willhite, Peter Patton, Nick Horton, Dan Hibdon, David Garman, Don Daniel, Kimball Bullington, John Bowen, and Sam Bagwell. A large bench of Deacons - including Ben Bohannon, Tim Bowling, Adam Bryson, Fernando Casajuana, Bob Chappin, David Coggin, Russell Countess, Tim Haddock, Don Harrison, Steve Henegar, Tom Hodges, Stephen King, Jeffrey McClain, Jeff McConnell, Jason McPherson, Brian Monroe, Dustin Najar, Bill Pearcy, Paul Perry, Shane Reeves, Mark Smith, Michael Strickland, Richard Templeton, Edet Udofia, Brent Walker, Merv Whittenburg, Ron Wright, and Richard Yates - serve alongside them.
The Senior Leadership Team is led by Glenn Robb, the Senior Staff Member, who grew up in Greenhill, Alabama and has served as a church-planting missionary in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Atlanta, Georgia, and Murfreesboro. Kelvin Teamer serves as Adults Minister and brings more than two decades of ministry experience from the Bouldercrest Church of Christ in Atlanta, along with a Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University. David Hunzicker leads the West Campus, having served there since 2017. Amy Sain has served as Children's Minister since 2006. David Skidmore has led the youth ministry since 2001. John Magnuson, a Murfreesboro native and graduate of Riverdale High School, Lipscomb University, Pepperdine University, and the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies, leads Boulevard Online and directs New Day Resources. Shawn Frazier has served as Worship Minister since 2015.
The church supports the work of New Day Resources, an organization led by John Magnuson that produces disciple-making tools - including Discovery Bible Study bookmarks, the book A New Day, the 10-week devotional Following Jesus, and the practical guide Follow Me - and runs the annual New Day Conference each September in Lebanon, Tennessee. The School of Disciple-Making, the School of Christian Thought, the monthly Disciple-Making Training (held online on Zoom), and the ReMission Southeast Regional Gathering all flow out of that work.
Practical Details for Visitors
The East Campus office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and can be reached at 615-893-1520. The West Campus office is open the same hours at 615-867-8300 (text 615-551-5678). The general email is care@nblvd.org. For online giving, North Boulevard uses Tithely, with statements available through the Church Center app at boulevard.to/app or boulevard.to/getapp. The Church Center app is the main tool for registering for events, joining small groups, viewing the directory, and managing giving.
Every gathering is about an hour long, and there is no dress code beyond "come as you are." Gluten-free, dairy-free communion is offered at every campus. Children's check-in requires about ten extra minutes on a first visit, and all Boulevard Kids volunteers have completed background checks. Secure check-points at every children's area, plus safety teams at every campus, help keep the children's ministry safe. Parking is free at both physical campuses.
Whether a visitor walks through the doors of the East Campus on Rutherford Boulevard, the West Campus on Burnt Knob Road, or joins Boulevard Online from across the globe, the welcome is the same: a church built on loving Christ, loving Scripture, and loving people - and a community determined to keep making disciples here, near, and far.