Statements

Mission

We seek to unite the Body of Christ as we partner with the local church to love God and our neighbors.

Background

Founded in 2000 by members of the Middle Tennessee Billy Graham Crusade Executive Committee, this key group of local Christian leaders agreed that the good work of unity, serving, and praying together should continue on an ongoing basis as the new millennium began. By expanding points of connectivity, Nashville churches would be able to accomplish greater unity in Christ for future generations. Dr. Charles McGowan became the first President and led Operation Andrew Group to accomplish two city-wide "Gatherings" to join in worship and praise together. The Bible verse, John 17:21, was the central mission of the organization. Dr. McGowan and a host of committed volunteers initiated regional events for congregations to pray and to encourage and equip pastors for ministry. The following Presidents Mike Arrington, Rhonda Lowry, and Michael Nolan served faithfully in connecting Operation Andrew Group to the community need through ministries. Linda Leathers, joined the organization in 2020, as the first full-time President.

Building strong relationships launched Operation Andrew Group's three initiatives which serve the region today: congregation and Metro Nashville Public Schools partnerships through United4Hope and beginning fall of 2023, Franklin Special School District, strategic workplace mentorship through Oak Project and to encourage, equip and support Middle TN pastors through United4Pastors.

Annually, Operation Andrew Group hosts a Fall Benefit, entitled CALLED, to honor the Joe and Honey Rodgers Civic Leadership recipients. Now in its third decade, Operation Andrew Group is serving an increased number of churches, stimulating unity with fresh impact in the gospel, and equipping our communities with hope.

Impact

Operation Andrew Group seeks to unite the Body of Christ as we partner with the local Church to love God and our neighbors. Operation Andrew Group is a diverse group of churches that work through a unique group of ministries to accomplish that mission. Operation Andrew Group is the entity that brings churches of all denominations together to impact the Nashville community for good.

Operation Andrew Group's top accomplishments: 1) United4Hope is expanding church-school partnerships with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. This project strategically partners volunteers and resources from churches to accomplish four pillars: Increase student achievement, encourage family engagement, support teachers, administrators, and faculty, and provide much-needed classroom supplies. We currently have 94 congregational partners serving 64 MNPS schools, will be launching partnerships with the Franklin Special School District fall of 2023, and are looking to pair more congregations with schools on the church partner waitlist. We are also currently launching the seventh year of the Oak Project mentorship program, business leaders share knowledge, skills, and a Christian framework with the next generation of professionals seeking guidance in their work and faith lives. Over 400 mentees and mentors have been involved in the program. 2) Pastor Engagement through the launch of United4Pastors in February 2023 at a gathering of 200 pastors at the Geodis soccer stadium, where the Barna research on the State of Nashville was presented. United4Pastors is designed for pastors to build intentional and respectful relationships with a diverse group of local congregational leadership. 4) CALLED, the 2021 Fall Benefit, featuring the Joe and Honey Rodgers Christian Civic Leadership Awards, raises investment to implement and expand partnerships and programming.

Needs

Operation Andrew Group's goals for 2023: 1) Increase the number of church community partnerships by adding 23 new school partnerships with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools through United4Hope to serve students, 2) Launch United4Pastors and provide them with the State of Nashville data, 3) Ensure the ministry has the financial and human resources needed to achieve these goals, 4) To expand United4Hope beyond Davidson county.

CEO Statement

I was in the room twenty years ago when the discussions were taking place about the need to establish the Operation Andrew Group to continue the impactful efforts of the Billy Graham crusade in Nashville and the surrounding region. The founders' passion was birthed out of the proven success that local congregations may come together and accomplish God-sized tasks for the Kingdom. We celebrate the gospel, which we have in common, and respect our unique differences. Now 20 years later, I am incredibly grateful for the privilege to lead this impactful organization into its next decade of ministry. Operation Andrew Group is poised to build on its strong foundation to bless, equip and serve our community and beyond in strategic ways. It inspires me to meet with pastors and dream together about how Operation Andrew Group is positioned to bring Christians from all walks of life together to serve beyond the walls of their churches and lay aside potential division to demonstrate the love of Christ. The possibilities for future ministry initiatives are unlimited. We desire to continue to make a difference by loving our community and sharing the hope of Christ. Operation Andrew Group is positioned now more than ever to advance the cause of Christ by uniting Churches to love and serve the Nashville community.

Board Chair Statement

Our hope for Nashville and Middle Tennessee is that we will all join together to make our communities better places to work and live. Operation Andrew Group and the faith community can and will do our part in the days ahead working with other community organizations to spiritually and socially benefit Middle Tennessee.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Religion- Related  - Christianity
Secondary Category:	Education  - Elementary & Secondary Schools
Tertiary Category:	Community Improvement, Capacity Building  - Community Improvement, Capacity Building N.E.C.

Areas Served

Operation Andrew Group serves the Middle Tennessee region as we work alongside pastors and local congregations throughout the region. We have key United4Hope partnerships in Davidson and Williamson Counties, recruit OAK Project mentors and mentees from the region.

TN - Davidson

TN - Williamson