Zeal Church — Attraction in Nashville-Davidson

I used to attend zeal a couple years back but quit due to JD constantly preaching about giving money. I get it, we all get it, scripture tells us to give 10 percent. After sometime I decided to go back. I have been attending church with friends for the last month/month & a half. This makes the third service after returning where JD continues to preach about giving tithes. I get that they just bought a church in Franklin for 2M and now they need another 5 plus million for renovations. Don’t get me wrong I love that the church is growing but myself and friends that attend are tired of being preached to about how we need to keep giving. He likes to preach about how God will bless you if you give your money to his church. He’s not for sure when, but just trust him, God will give back to you, it says it in the scripture. Just seems like that’s all they care about at zeal. He likes to bring up in service that some of us complain because we do not have enough money to give. He will then say give up a week of coffee just so you can tithe. There are families that go to this church that do not have a lot of money, but give what they can. When is the church going to give to members who cannot financially afford to pay their bills or afford food? If he’s not harping on people, his “team” will. “Zeal needs Form 990”

Friends and I have found a new church. They talk about tithing but not every service and not all hour of service. No guilt trips, no pressure no stress. The church still has everything they need. No mega church vibes. “Remember this, GOD will provide”

zeal connect is a joke in my opinion. Remember in school when the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test would be taken so you could see where the military thought your skills would be best. That is how zeal connect works. The team and preacher talk about it as though it is something you have to do to serve GOD and others. Myself and others attend a while back because we thought it would be an honor to serve. Their church made up questions and put it on paper that we had to answer. At the end, you had to total your score to see where your talents would be the most useful.

I have always been surrounded by music and have always done extremely well in music but zeal connect thought otherwise. I gave my music contact card to the zeal connect leader who was going to give it to her husband, whom is the music director for the church band. Never heard anything back. I have made repeated attempts to try and make it be known that I would love to sing praises and glory to GOD. I guess the zeal connect counsel thought otherwise.

Honestly not that surprising because every Sunday you see the same people on the stage. Band leader, heavyset Latino man, heavyset white girl, etc. Trust me there are others out there who can sing with soul and power giving praise to the Lord. I know they want to have a great house band because that is one of zeals features. It just seems like there’s favoritism happening.

Lastly, I remember growing up in church and EVERY SINGLE CHURCH, my family went to we would see the preacher talking to the church family before and after services. NEVER ONCE have I seen JD out in the parking lot after a service or anywhere else talking to members. Sundays are for GOD and I get he is a busy man and has things going on but it seems like he’s there to stand on stage and take in all the glory from preaching about Tithing and GOD and right after says, “I’m out, gotta go get some of that...

One Sunday afternoon my granddaughter called to tell me she had found “Home” ! She continued telling me how amazing the people were, what powerful messages were given, and eventually told me of the groups she had joined. Of course asking me many times to come with her the next service. It’s no excuse, not at all, but reminded her of how hard it was for me to pack up, drive into Nashville and everything that goes with it. Of course I’m elderly, but that’s no excuse either. I finally packed up and drove to her house the day before, and had extra time with my great-grandchildren. They also love their time at Zeal. I’m so so happy I did and she was right. Before I even walked through the door, I was feeling at ease. That was something I had not felt since our church split in 1981. I needed so badly to feel that love, unconditional, and fellowship so much and no matter how many churches I attended, at the end of the service, I still felt empty. When I walked in the door, Jesus met me 🙌 . . . I was “home”again. Although I don’t get to each service, I watch on live stream. I’ve even discussed with my granddaughters selling my home and moving closer to be more involved in all that this wonderful church and people have to offer. Zeal is “home” as soon as you walk in the door. Please visit Zeal and be met at the door by the Lord,...

I’m still living in Nashville today because of the church home I found here. Pastor JD, Pastor Leah, and the rest of the team all lead so well—Sunday services are incredible and spirit-filled, but the experience at Zeal doesn’t end there!

There is a lively community of small groups, weekly outreach opportunities, and so much more. Zeal’s mission is to “lead people to reach their full potential in Jesus,” and my story is evidence of that fruit. I have discovered so much of my God-given purpose through the opportunities I’ve had serving on the dream team at Zeal. I especially love being a part of our strong next gen ministries, with Zeal Kids on Sundays and Zeal Students events throughout the week!

While I’m grateful for what the Lord has done in my life through Zeal, I’m even more grateful to see the impact in the lives of those around me. I’ve seen so many people that I love be baptized here at Zeal, and even my parents (who are in their late 60s/70s) absolutely love attending when they’re in town.

Zeal truly lives out their motto - “Love God, Love People,...