Community Engagement
Robert and his family were members of Green Hill Church for many years, where he has served faithfully in a myriad of roles and participated in short-term mission work both locally and internationally. Through those experiences, God increasingly gave him a heart for reaching people outside the walls of the church. After years of serving at Green Hill, Robert sensed God calling him to step away from what was familiar and become part of a new work at The Church in Smith Springs.
At the church in Smith Springs, Robert is passionate about serving the body of Christ and helping the church intentionally engage its surrounding community with the gospel. He believes the local church is called both to build up believers and to go into the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. That conviction shapes his approach to teaching, missions, and community outreach.
Robert and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 30 years. They have two adult children, Jessica and Jason.
Preaching & Congregational Care
Michael Darbouze took his first lead pastoral role in 2018 at a struggling church, an experience that ignited a passion in him for church revitalization. In 2020, he completed a church planting residency, and by 2021, he was co-pastoring another declining church. Both ministries, by God’s grace, grew and transitioned into permanent spaces within two years. These experiences revealed a clear calling to replant dying churches. Prior to relocating to Nashville, Michael served as a replanting pastor in residence in North Carolina, discerning the right replant opportunity. When the Nashville Baptist Association offered the chance to replant Smith Springs Baptist Church (SSBC), Michael and his wife, Jomar, knew this was God’s direction.
Michael has a heart for caring for and equipping the body of Christ to be the church. While he understands the challenges of replanting, Michael has great anticipation and expectation to see the Lord build his church through this local gathering.
Michael is married to his wife of 23 years, Jomar. They have three young adult children, David, Michaella (Me-ka-ella), and Daniel. They are all actively engaged in the work of replanting the church in Smith Springs.
