Our Goal
The ministries of The Operation Andrew Group seek to unite believers through hands-on ministries that tear down walls and build connections so that believers may present one loving face of Christ to those who do not know Him.
How We'll Get There
By partnering churches of varying ethnic and denominational groups, The Operation Andrew Group helps churches go around, above or through whatever separates them to focus on their common mission of showing love and truth to each other and to people in need in their communities.
Mission Statement
The Operation Andrew Group exists to unite and encourage the body of Christ for furthering the gospel in word and deed throughout the community to the glory of God.
History of The Operation Andrew Group
During the first four days of June 2000, the Middle Tennessee Billy Graham Crusade was held in Nashville. The Executive Committee of the Crusade was deeply moved by all that it saw God do as racial, ethnic, cultural, and denominational walls were broken down for the purposes of evangelism. As the Crusade ended the Executive Committee agreed that some ongoing strategy needed to be developed so that the good things that the Crusade produced might continue and expand. A special committee was appointed and before the end of the year The Operation Andrew Group was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 ministry organization. A board of directors was recruited, funds were raised, modest office space was secured, and a deeply committed Christian lady who had been in the banking industry for several years was hired as the Executive Director.
The first major ministry of The Operation Andrew Group was the Gathering held in January 2002 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in downtown Nashville. Over 150 churches agreed to suspend their Sunday evening service so that their congregations might join with other believers in a joint service of worship and praise. About 8,000 attended. Noted preacher and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, was the preacher. The event was held the following year in May with well-known pastor and evangelist, Tony Evans, as the speaker.
In 2003, the board felt that the ministry would be strengthened by having a pastor as its director. After stepping down as the pastor after 15 years with Christ Presbyterian Church, Dr. Charles McGowan became The Operation Andrew Group's first president.
In addition to the Gathering many other less visible ministries were begun and continue today. Among these is an annual Honor Banquet for pastors and spouses, leadership and training seminars for pastors and church leaders, and fellowship events for pastors, congregations and local church and business leaders. The Operation Andrew Group is also an annual sponsor of the National Day of Prayer observance, in partnership with the YMCA, and since 2004 has been active in its expansion throughout Middle Tennessee. The organization is also partnering with numerous local churches to bring the Luis Palau festival to Nashville in the spring of 2007.
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Staff and Board Members
 The board itself after much prayer and deliberation appoints the board of directors of The Operation Andrew Group. The primary qualification is to be a mature, deeply committed Christian who is faithful and active in his/her local church. Beyond that we seek those who are community leaders and have a reputation of being men and women of great integrity. We seek to reflect in our board of directors our commitment to racial, ethnic, and denominational diversity as well as the inclusion of both men and women as full participants. It is the expectation of our board that each member will be an agent of good will for the ministry.
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Board of Directors
Mr. George Yowell, Chairman
Pastor L.H. Hardwick, Vice Chairman
Mr. Sam Bartholomew , Secretary
Rev. Henry Coles , Jr., Treasurer
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Mr. Michael Arrington
Mr. Al Bodie
Rev. William Buchanan *
Rev. German Castro
Mr. Jon Davis
Mr. Marty Dickens
Mrs. Marcia Echols
Mr. Jack Faris
Rev. Enoch Fuzz
Mrs. Eleanor Graves
Dr. B. Alicia Griffin, DDS
Mr. E. Howard Harvey *
Mr. Danny Herron
Mr. Frank C. Ingraham
Mr. Lee Jennings
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Mr. J. M. “Journey” Johnson
Mr. Bill Lee
Mr. Christopher Parker
Mr. Jimmy Pickel *
Bishop George Price
Mrs. Karen Robinson
Mr. Steve Robinson
Ambassador Joe Rodgers *
Mrs. Edna Salyer
Mrs. Sharon Skaggs
Mrs. Janet S. Slayden
Mr. Rusty Sumrall
Mr. William E. Turner, Jr.
* Past Chairman |
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Dr. Don Finto
Dr. Millard Reed
Mrs. Clark Brittain
Mr. Mark Ezell
Mr. Kelvin Jones
Mr. Hope Hines
Dr. Forrest Harris, Sr.
Staff
Dr. Charles E. McGowan, President
Rev. Bob Cook , Vice President
Mrs. Hilary Barnett, Executive Administrator
Joanna Duco, Director of Development
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