Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church sits on Lebanon Pike in Hermitage, the eastern Nashville neighborhood where steady residential blocks meet the lake country of Davidson County. Pastor Breonus M. Mitchell, Sr., the congregation's thirteenth pastor, leads a community that has now called this part of Middle Tennessee home since 1880. The building could almost pass for any corner of the city, but the church's signature sign above the entrance reads "We HEAL People," shorthand for everything that happens inside.
From 1880 to the Thirteenth Pastor
Mount Gilead traces its roots to 1880, when a small group of Nashville believers gathered in the city and began what has become one of the longest continuous Baptist ministries in Davidson County. "While many years have passed since our Church was formed, one thing has stayed the same. Our mission." The congregation has now marked more than a century and a half of continuous ministry.
The current pastoral chapter began on April 3, 2016, when Pastor Breonus M. Mitchell, Sr. was called as the thirteenth pastor of Mount Gilead. Mitchell came to know the Lord and was baptized at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Nashville, where Reverend Richard D. Hunt shepherded his early faith. He accepted his call to preach on August 4, 1991, and delivered his first sermon, "What a Mighty God We Serve," from Exodus 3:1-18 on September 1, 1991, at Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Curtis W. Goodwin. He was ordained on January 15, 1995, at Watson Grove by Reverend Goodwin.
A graduate of Donelson Christian Academy and American Baptist College, Mitchell continued his studies at The Marshall Center for Christian Ministry of Georgetown, Kentucky, and at Regents Park College of Oxford University, receiving a certificate in Textual Exegesis, Hermeneutics, and Homiletics. He holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville and is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Christian Brothers University. Before Mount Gilead, he founded Greater Grace Temple Community Church in 1997 and pastored Nashville's Boyce Street Baptist Church from 1994 to 1997.
Mitchell's preaching has carried him onto The Greg Davis Show on the Impact Network, The Empowerment Encounter on The Word Network, and The Word Network's Seven Last Words of Christ. He has preached for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., NBCA International, Inc., and Lifeway's Black Church Week for the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the founding president of Breonus Mitchell Ministries, Inc., and the author of the book "A Fish Called Mercy." His motto, "Life is best lived as a journey forward," sits alongside the church's mission: "To Be a Gathering Place and Growing Community of Followers of Jesus Christ Who Give and Go Being Instruments of HEALing."
Sunday at Mount Gilead
Sunday is the heartbeat at 4004 Lebanon Pike. Two identical-style worship services bookend a full hour of mid-morning Bible study. Early Worship begins at 7:45 a.m., giving those who work early shifts or families with packed schedules a quieter service to start the week. Sunday Life Groups meet at 9:00 a.m. in classrooms across the campus, and Mid-Morning Worship follows at 10:15 a.m. Both Sunday services stream live on the Mount Gilead YouTube channel, so anyone joining from home sees the same sermon and worship set as the in-person congregation.
Worship is described as "powerful" and "engaging," with preaching that emphasizes practical, Bible-based teaching. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds," reads a Psalm 147:3 banner, summarizing the theological anchor that flows into every program. Guests are not asked to dress up. "While some like to dress up, others prefer to wear blue jeans and a T-shirt."
Children's ministry runs in parallel with both Sunday services. G412 Kids serves ages 3 through 11 with age-appropriate Bible lessons, music, games, and hands-on activities during the 7:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. Older youth, G412 Youth (middle school) and G412 Students (high school), gather for youth worship at 10:15 a.m. Each generation has its own programming rather than dropping older children into the adult service.
The Forge, Breathe, and Synergy
Three adult-focused ministries run alongside Sunday morning worship as Mount Gilead's signature offerings for grown-ups.
The Forge is the men's ministry, meeting every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on the Hermitage campus under the banner "Faith, Fire, and Brotherhood Collide." Built around Bible-based discussion, real-world application, and accountability between men, the ministry speaks directly to those wrestling with career, family, and personal struggles. "This isn't just another men's group. The Forge is where you get real, get refined, and get ready to live boldly for God." Every session includes dynamic teaching, open discussion, and time to pray, connect, and grow alongside other men.
Breathe is the women's ministry, gathering under the letters Believe, Reflect, Engage, Aspire, Transform, Heal, and Empower. Women meet for engaging Bible studies, empowerment events, mentoring circles, and outreach projects designed to help them "exhale the pressures of life and inhale God's peace." The ministry's G.I.R.L.S. Bible Study meets on Zoom on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. for women ages 25 and up, while in-person events run throughout the year. Contact goes through women@mgileadchurch.org.
Synergy is the marriage ministry, gathering couples on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Through workshops, date nights, and faith-focused discussion, Synergy aims to help couples "build and sustain God-centered marriages" using biblical principles, peer connection, and practical tools for everyday life. The ministry uses the email synergy@mgileadchurch.org and welcomes both newlyweds and long-time spouses.
Generation 412 and the Young Adult Community
Children, youth, and students fall under one banner, Generation 412, with a name drawn from 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."
G412 Kids serves ages 3 through 11 with age-appropriate Bible lessons, music, games, and hands-on activities during both Sunday services at 7:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. G412 Youth bridges the gap into middle school with interactive Bible studies and group discussions, gathering at the 10:15 a.m. youth worship. G412 Students, the high school ministry, adds Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for a Mid-Week Meet-Up that focuses on mentorship, leadership development, and real talk about faith and life. Contact runs through gen412@mgileadchurch.org, and the ministry keeps an active Instagram presence at @generation412mg.
College students and young professionals ages 18 to 29 have their own gathering on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in room MG 215, upstairs next to Murray Hall. The College and Young Adult Ministry aims to "empower, equip, and engage college students and young adults to live out their faith authentically and boldly," combining dynamic worship, discipleship, service projects, and authentic community. The ministry also keeps an Instagram feed at @mgileadcya and routes questions through rjohnson@mgileadchurch.org.
A Midweek Rhythm of Prayer and Bible Study
Beyond Sunday, the church keeps a packed weekly schedule designed to turn the building into a daily-use campus.
Mondays through Fridays, Pastor Mitchell leads a Morning Devotion and Prayer call on Zoom at 6:00 a.m., anchored by Psalm 5:3 - "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." Members in any time zone can join from home or on the road to start the day in prayer.
Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. bring a choice of three Bible studies for adults. The General Bible Study and Senior Adult Bible Study meet at the MG Chapel on the Hermitage campus, while G.I.R.L.S. gathers on Zoom for women ages 25 and up. At 7:00 p.m. CST, "Faith in Focus," a virtual Bible study led by Pastor Mitchell, livestreams on YouTube and Facebook for anyone who cannot make it inside the building.
Wednesdays are the most varied night. A worship service begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by Wednesday Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. The Forge men's meeting and the G412 Students Mid-Week Meet-Up run in parallel. Open Gym takes over the church's gymnasium from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., drawing members and neighbors for basketball, walking the indoor track, and unstructured fellowship.
Sunday Life Groups and Weekday Studies
The 9:00 a.m. Sunday hour has become a small-group fair of its own. Eight different Life Groups meet in classrooms across the Mount Gilead campus, letting adults pick a setting that fits their stage of life.
- Young Adults (ages 18 to 29) gather in room MG 215, upstairs next to Murray Hall.
- Adults Journey Together (ages 34 to 49) meet in room MG 138.
- Men's General Studies gather in room MG-148.
- Women's General Studies meet in room MG-149.
- Co-Ed General Studies gather in room MG-158.
- Senior Women (ages 60 and up) meet in room MG-159.
- Senior Co-Ed (ages 60 and up) gather in the MG Chapel.
- Healing for the Hurting is a Christ-centered support group in room MG-160 for anyone processing past trauma or emotional pain.
On Tuesdays, three weekday studies keep the same spirit. G.I.R.L.S. gathers on Zoom at 6:00 p.m. for women 25 and up, General Bible Study meets at 6:00 p.m. in the MG Chapel, and Senior Adult Bible Study runs at 6:00 p.m. in the MG Chapel for adults 60 and up. Together they make weekday faith formation as built-out as Sunday morning.
Dare to Believe: A Campus on the Move
Mount Gilead is in the middle of a multi-year capital campaign called Dare to Believe, aimed at preparing the Lebanon Pike campus for the next generation of growth. The campaign targets a $3 million goal and focuses on four areas: connecting the church's Worship Center and Life Center with a unified, weather-safe corridor; becoming ADA-compliant with a new elevator; expanding seating by adding a balcony and replacing the existing pews with chair seating to push capacity to roughly 1,100; and a facility-wide refresh that includes bathrooms, LED lighting, gutters, the parking lot, exterior paint, electrical upgrades, and signage.
Members and supporters can give online, by text-to-give, in the Sunday offering, by mail, or by pledging over time. The campaign also accepts stock, crypto, real estate, and matching gifts through the finance office at finance@mgileadchurch.org. Sub-campaigns include prayers, recurring pledges, and one-time gifts, all tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Open Gym and Wednesday Nights
Open Gym has become one of the most visible community offerings, and not just for members. Every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Mount Gilead gymnasium opens its doors for basketball, walking the indoor track, and casual gathering. The church frames Open Gym as "a community space for fellowship and fitness" where physical activity and spiritual growth can happen on the same night. Anyone and everyone is welcome.
Giving, Prayer, and Staying Connected
Mount Gilead offers multiple ways for members and friends to participate from home or on the road. Sunday services livestream on YouTube, and a full archive of past sermons is available on the Mount Gilead YouTube channel. The church sends text-message updates to those who opt in, posts regularly on Facebook (facebook.com/mgileadnashville) and Instagram (@mgileadnashville), and accepts prayer requests through an online form around the clock.
Giving is available online through the church's secure giving portal, with options for one-time gifts, recurring pledges, and the Dare to Believe capital campaign. Members can also give by mail to PO Box 177, Hermitage, TN 37076, or in cash at any worship service. Stocks, crypto, real estate, and other assets can be arranged through finance@mgileadchurch.org. A volunteer sign-up collects names for serving teams across every ministry.
For non-emergency needs, the main office number 615-235-6448 reaches the staff during Hermitage office hours, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A second office at 401-A Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 105, Franklin, TN 37064 is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., giving those in the southern reaches of Middle Tennessee a closer touchpoint for asking questions, registering for events, or planning a visit.
A Hermitage Anchor Since 1880
What ties every program and schedule at Mount Gilead together is the simple sentence repeated throughout the church: "We HEAL People." From the 6:00 a.m. Monday morning prayer call on Zoom to the 10:15 a.m. Sunday worship service, from G412 Kids during both services to the Senior Co-Ed Life Group in the MG Chapel, from The Forge on Wednesday nights to Synergy on Thursdays, the ministries operate as one continuous rhythm pointing to the same mission. For more than 140 years, this Hermitage congregation has been building that rhythm one Sunday at a time.