Bellevue Community Church

There’s something you probably need to know about me. I’m really attracted to "a little bit of attitude." That’s reflected in my marriage. I’m trying to promote that in my parenting. That’s what I tend to hire for my ministry team. We need to respect others. We need to encourage others. We need to remain loyal and support those in leadership positions around us. But I don’t think it’s right when people check their God-given passions and personalities at the door. People who are constantly bitter or negative or condemning are a drain. At the same time, though, people who always acquiesce and never challenge and always suppress their real emotions can be just as draining. Because of that, I love people with passion, confidence and the courage to live their lives loud.

That brings me to my good friend in ministry, Dave Foster. Dave is the senior pastor at Bellevue Community Church located in Nashville, TN. He and his wife, Paula, launched Bellevue about 15 years ago. They spent their early years holding services in a middle school. Now the church has over 3,000 guests each weekend on their 280-acre campus called "Hope Park."

Dave is one of those guys that has just a little bit of attitude… OK, sometimes a lot of attitude. That’s reflected in his ministry which you can read more about on his site, FosteringHope.com. That’s reflected in his writing including his most recent book, Accept No Mediocre Life. And, it’s reflected in the new series Bellevue is launching this weekend: "A Renegade’s Guide to God." Dave will be teaching what the Bible has to say about the non-religious journey to God. You’ll be able to follow the series as it unfolds on HopePark.com by downloading both the messages and the teaching outlines. I think you’ll be both challenged and encouraged by what Dave has to share.

If I wasn’t attending a service at Granger Community Church this weekend and celebrating the baptisms of hundreds of new believers, I’d go to Nashville, endure the country music and learn about what it means to be a renegade for God. That makes Bellevue Community Church my "Cool Church of the Week."