On June 8, 2025 the members of Smith Springs Baptist Church held their last Sunday service. A brave group of 25 people voted to temporarily close the doors of the building they have welcomed people into since 1966. After three decades of decline, the congregation came to the decision to give the property, deed and all assets at 2760 Park Dale Drive to the Nashville Baptist Association (NBA) so that another gospel work might continue in the Smith Springs community.
The leadership of the NBA connected with Michael Darbouze and asked him to come and lead the replanting efforts. Michael was graciously sent out by Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina in July 2025 to service as a replant pastor. Michael, Jomar, David, Michaella (Me-ka-ella) and Daniel began the work of building meaningful local relationships to invite people to join them in the work of replanting a church that closed its doors.
Michael and his household connected with a local sending church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Green Hill Church. Other partnerships continued to form over the next year and has now grown to multiple local churches: to include The Fellowship Church (Mt. Juliet), Tulip Grove (Mt. Juliet), Grace Community Church (Brentwood) and Antioch First Baptist Church (Antioch). The NBA and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board have also been strategic partners to the replant.
With partnerships in both TN and NC, the replanting efforts in Smith Springs have garnered the financial and physical support needed to breath life back into this local ministry. The building has experienced a refresh to both the interior and exterior of the facility. There are now ADA accessible bathrooms and a welcome center for people to gather and connect. A new preschool and elementary age area are being built out and the sanctuary has received a welcomed touch up. The exterior has been brightened up with painting and removing trees that presented a barrier to people passing by.
Most importantly, there are people that will gather in this refreshed space to praise God, do life together, and welcome people into the love of Christ. Green Hill Church has sent out 37 men, women and children to be the church in Smith Springs. This multi-cultural, multi-generational gathering exists to be a community of people that shares the love of Christ with the Smith Springs community.
With meaningful relationships already established with the Smith Springs Elementary School and some local neighbors, the church in Smith Springs looks to continue to share the light of the Lord’s love with all they encounter. The relaunch in August 2026 marks, what they believe to be the beginning of a mighty move of God in their local community. They are fully persuaded that this replant will soon be a thriving ministry that the community will not want to ever see close its doors again.
