Inaugural Class of 2026
Nashville Fellows Program
The Nashville Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates who wish to apply their gifts in the real-world while learning to integrate a Christian worldview in all areas of life. The program is supported by area churches, including First Presbyterian. Each year, a new class of young adults joins our parish life as they grow, work, study, and serve.
Meet the Class of 2026
These four Fellows work about 30 hours a week in local businesses, nonprofits, or ministries. At the same time, they’re actively involved in our church—worshiping, serving, joining ministries, and living with host families from our congregation.
R.J. Bascom
Nashville Fellow, Class of 2026
R.J. Bascom is originally from Front Royal, Virginia. He earned his degree in Biology from Covenant College and is considering a career in physical therapy.
Samantha Bowers
Nashville Fellow, Class of 2026
Samantha Bowers comes from Marietta, Georgia, and is a graduate of Auburn University, where she studied Biomedical Sciences and Microbiology. She is interested in pursuing a career in dentistry.
Anna Robicheaux
Nashville Fellow, Class of 2026
Anna Robicheaux is from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and is a graduate of Rhodes College. Her academic background includes studies in mathematics, chemistry, and religious studies. She is particularly interested in the field of business analytics.
This program is a strategic investment in the next generation of Christian leaders—and a gift to our congregation. It nurtures spiritual formation and vocational clarity while bringing fresh energy to FPC’s ministries. It strengthens our ties across Nashville’s faith communities.
Program Overview
We are excited to welcome the inaugural class of Nashville Fellows to First Presbyterian Church! This nine-month ecumenical discipleship experience is designed for recent college graduates (ages 22–24) eager to integrate their faith with real-world service and leadership. Through a partnership between First Presbyterian Church, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and West End Community Church, twelve young adults will live, work, study, and serve in Nashville this year—four of them here at FPC.
Each Fellow also works approximately 30 hours per week in a local business, nonprofit, or ministry while gathering weekly with the full cohort to study theology and vocation.
In addition, the Fellows will be deeply involved in our church’s life: worshiping with us, joining Sunday school and midweek ministries, and serving in ministry areas. They’ll live with host families from our congregation, receive spiritual and professional mentorship from members, and become relationally woven into our community.
There are several key ways you can support this exiting ministry to nurture the next generation:
- Job Placement: Know of a business, nonprofit, or ministry hiring for about 30 hours/week? Help a Fellow find meaningful work related to their area of interest.
- Host Families: Open your home for the academic year and share life with a Fellow.
- Mentors: Meet monthly with a Fellow to offer spiritual guidance and friendship.
- Care Team Members: Join a support team providing meals, encouragement, and prayer for the fellows.
- How to Pray and Partner: Please pray for the Fellows as they grow in wisdom, faith, and calling; for strong placements and lasting relationships; and for our church to be a place of deep welcome and witness.
Want to get involved? Volunteer as a host, mentor, or care team member. Connect us with job opportunities. Most of all, invite a Fellow into your life this fall—share a meal, extend hospitality, and help them feel at home.
Sharing Family Life
One of the most impactful parts of the Nashville Fellows Program is the invitation to live a First Presbyterian family during the program. Please prayerfully consider whether you might engage in this act of Christian hospitality and open your home to a fellow. To learn more about what this experience looks like in daily life, watch the video below.
For more information or to express interest in supporting a fellow, contact us.
Gage Arnold
Director of Youth Programming
Gage serves as the Director of Youth Programming at FPC. Gage can help answer questions about any part of the ministry to children from 12 years old until high school graduation, including questions (for children or with their grown-ups) about the faith, the church, worship service resources, any ministry-wide or church-wide major event, or the spiritual nature of youth.
Since 1814
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