Under the authority of Jesus, our Shepherds provide biblical guidance, direction, and spiritual care for the Fourth Avenue family. Shepherds (also called Elders) are selected through an intentional process that includes corporate prayer, Bible study, congregational recommendations, and the collective discernment of the present Shepherding group.
Keith and Stephanie Bain
Keith and Stephanie Bain began attending Fourth Avenue in 2003. They’ve been married since 1992 and have three children, Grace Payton, Jeb, and John. Keith works for Chubb Insurance and Stephanie is an independent sales rep. Keith and Stephanie have been involved with Fourth’s Life Group Ministry, Youth Group Parent Council, Women’s Ministry and Communications Team. Keith was appointed as a Shepherd in 2015.
Chris and Jo Barnhill
Chris and Jo Barnhill have been members of Fourth Avenue since 2001. They were married in 1988 and have two children: Davis and Madison. Davis is an attorney and lives in Nashville. Madison is working towards a graduate degree in History and lives in Franklin. Chris has a MPA Degree in Nonprofit Management, and is the Executive Director of Franktown Open Hearts, a local faith-based agency ministering to impoverished children. Jo has been a real estate agent since 2004. The Barnhills have been involved in the teen ministry (group leaders for 8 years) and in Life Group ministries. Jo co-leads the Women’s ministry, and Chris leads the JOY seniors ministry. Chris was appointed as one of our Shepherds in 2020.
Brant and Jennifer Bell
Brant and Jennifer have been members of Fourth Avenue since 2005. Starting as high school sweethearts, they have been happily married since 1990. They have four adult children and two “perfect” grandchildren. Brant has worked as a Physician Assistant with a career in orthopedics and in 2006 founded a company called 7 Springs Orthopedics. Jennifer writes curriculum for Grace Marriage, and together they direct the Grace Marriage ministry at Fourth. They serve in oversight and support for the youth group at Fourth, and Jennifer is active in the Worship Ministry and Women’s Ministry. Brant was appointed as a shepherd in 2015.
Jeff and Jennifer Crawford
Jeff and Jennifer Crawford moved to Franklin in 2012 so Jeff could join the faculty at Lipscomb University. They started attending Fourth Avenue in 2015, specifically looking for a congregation in the Franklin area where their family could serve and take root. Jeff and Jennifer have been (happily) married for 30 years and have three grown children: Maddie, Rose and Nathan. Jennifer is a first grade teacher in Williamson County and Jeff is currently working as an IT executive within a U.S. based financial services firm. Both Jeff and Jen have a passion for education and love serving the family at Fourth. Jeff was appointed as one of our Shepherds in 2023.
Keith and Brenda Crow
Keith and Brenda Squires Crow began attending Fourth Avenue in 2015, the same year they were married in March. Together, they have four children—Molly Rice (Eric), Kyle Crow, Kory Crow (Emilie), and Chandler Squires—and are proud grandparents to eight grandchildren. Keith retired from 3M in 2010 after a 30-year career in orthodontic sales, while Brenda retired in 2011 from the Williamson AM/Tennessean. They are actively involved in local ministries including GraceWorks Ministries, the Williamson County Jail ministry, and Oak Cottage for Women. In 2025, Keith was appointed as a shepherd at Fourth Avenue.
Dan and JaneLee Dozier
Dan has served on church staffs in three States. He began his ministry career as the Associate Minister at the Central Church of Christ in Valdosta, Georgia. He served as the youth and family minister at the Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee before moving to Kansas City, Missouri where he was the Preaching Minister for the Red Bridge Church of Christ. He served as Associate Minister at the Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee. He served on the ministerial staff at the Community Church in Hendersonville, TN. He also was the preaching minister for the Rural Hill Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee from 2011-2019 and then served as an associate minister there from 2020-2022. Before retiring in June 2024, he served as parttime minister at the Fourth Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, TN.
Dan received a Bachelor’s degree from David Lipscomb College, a Masters of Theology degree from Harding Graduate School of Religion, a Masters of Divinity Degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Abilene Christian University. Married to JaneLee since 1972, they have three grown and married children and love bragging on their eight grandchildren. He and JaneLee live in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Gary and Debi Shelton
Gary and Debi Shelton moved to Franklin in 1980, and quickly joined Fourth Avenue. They were married in 1978 and had a son (Ryan) in 1984. They both received their undergraduate degrees from MTSU and Gary earned an MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. Gary’s career was in Surface Transportation, in the areas of sales management and operations management. Debi worked as an accountant for a Wealth Management firm in Brentwood. Both Gary and Debi have recently retired. They enjoy volunteering for various organizations, participating in Men’s and Women’s ministries, small groups, Fourmation groups, and worship ministry. In February 2025, Ryan and his wife, Taylor brought a whole new level of love into our family. Her name is Phoebe Franklin, and we enjoy spending every moment possible with the three of them.
Mike and Paula Shinnick
Mike and Paula have been members of the Fourth family since 1994. Married in 1978, they have two children, Ellen Flannery (Jeff) and Will Shinnick (Caity), and are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren. Mike retired from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance in 2021 after a career with a National insurance carrier. Paula is a retired school teacher serving in the FSSD. Mike and Paula serve on the prayer team and have been active in the jail ministry. Mike has a passion for discipleship and became a shepherd in 2023.
Tony and Melinda Simmons
Tony and Melinda Simmons have been at Fourth Avenue since 1995. Married in 1987, they have two daughters, Morgan (husband, DJ) Stanfield and Paige (husband, Spencer) Zehring. They are enjoying their two grandchildren, Kasen and Tatum. Tony is a Regional Claims Manager for Farm Bureau Insurance. The Simmons have been involved with the Intercessory Prayer Ministry since its inception in 2001 and Tony has served as one of our Shepherds since 2010.