The Pastor Search Committee unanimously recommends
Dr. Thomas West
to be Nashville First’s next Senior Pastor.
Five years ago Dr. Thomas West and his wife Elizabeth followed the call of God to plant a church in the global city of London, England. His keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of center-city ministry, coupled with his heart to see the transformative power of the gospel unleashed in a post-Christian culture, make him the perfect fit for Nashville First Baptist Church and our vision of reaching and engaging downtown Nashville and beyond. Dr. West brings a wealth of innovative and adaptive leadership and a missionary heart that will reinvigorate us to reach our city for Christ.
About The Wests
Thomas and Elizabeth are both from Montgomery, Alabama, and grew up attending First Baptist Church of Montgomery. They are high school and college sweethearts and were married in August 2009 after many years of dating. Thomas and Elizabeth spent nearly ten years in Raleigh, North Carolina, before moving to London in June 2019.
Background Information
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
2019–Present
Founding Pastor, Redeemer Queen’s Park (London, England)
Summer 2023–Present
Equip Teacher, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC)
2021–Present
Theological Consultancy (London, England)
2017–2019
Discipleship Pastor, Providence Church (Raleigh, NC)
2011–2017
College & Equipping Pastor, Providence Church (Raleigh, NC)
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2017
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Systematic Theology)
2011
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity (MDiv, Christian Studies) 2011
2008
Auburn University, Bachelor of Arts, 2008
SEARCH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
MELINDA CULLEN
Thomas cares deeply about people and will love our congregation well. He has both the capacity and the heart to shepherd our church body while also leading us to reach outward and change lives in the heart of our city.
BRENNEN FEBLES
Thomas is a missionary at heart, doing the difficult and patient work of planting a church in the highly secular, global city of London. He is a gifted communicator with sound theology who has the ability to build bridges and create a winsome and effective ministry in the city of Nashville.
CHEY GETHERS
I am excited about Dr. West’s ability to preach a sermon that can connect with people of differing backgrounds and generations. I am also excited about his wife, Elizabeth, and how she partners with him in connecting with people. Dr. West and Elizabeth are very approachable and want to live life alongside us.
RENEE MATTHEWS
Thomas is intelligent, humble, wise, engaging, and full of both spiritual conviction and compassion for the lost. He is relatable and engaging, confident yet humble. Throughout our many conversations, both he and Elizabeth have mentioned things that I (and others) have specifically prayed for. That is no coincidence—that is the Holy Spirit at work!
CHARLES OVERBY
Thomas has amazing people skills that will serve him well as our pastor. His enthusiasm is contagious! He is mission-minded with a clear vision for advancing the Kingdom. He will inspire us, and he will challenge us. His leadership will help revitalize Nashville First in ways that we cannot imagine.
MELITA THOMAS
Dr. West holds a high view of Scripture and can articulate fine points of doctrine in ways that feel easily accessible and understandable. His gospel-first mentality allows him to build genuine relationships with people from all walks of life and tackle tough questions while being simultaneously winsome and unwavering in his convictions. That’s critical in reaching an increasingly secular culture for Christ!
JAN WILLIAMS
Thomas brings unique enthusiasm, coupled with a forward-looking approach, to lead us in serving downtown Nashville and beyond. For months we carefully searched for just the right combination of intelligence, education, ministry background and experience, and inclusive personality that will serve all aspects of NFBC. We are overwhelmed that God brought just the right person to us in Thomas.