About Pay Grace Forward | Columbia's Financial Education Nonprofit
We're Here to Help Maury County Families Build Better Financial Futures
Pay Grace Forward was born from a simple belief: everyone deserves a chance to get ahead financially, no matter where they're starting from. We provide free financial education, one-on-one coaching, and practical resources to help our neighbors break the cycle of debt and build real, lasting stability.
Our Board Of Directors
Mack Garvin:
We’re grateful to have Mack Garvin serving on the Pay Grace Forward Board of Directors. Mack is the Senior Vice President and Chief Mortgage Officer at TriStar Bank, where he leads teams in Dickson and Maury County with a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals. A lifelong community advocate, Mack serves on several local boards and committees, including Columbia Academy, the Southern Middle Association of Realtors Legislative Committee, and the Maury County Chamber. He and his wife, Renee, live on their family dairy farm in Maury County, where they’re raising their two daughters, Madison and McKinley.
Greg Martin:
We’re honored to have Greg Martin serving as the Board Chair for Pay Grace Forward. A seasoned local developer with more than 27 years of experience, Greg brings strong leadership and a heart for service to our mission. In addition to his professional work, he has faithfully served as a mentor, meeting with many clients over the past two years to help them navigate financial challenges. Greg also contributes his expertise through service on various community boards and committees, including the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation. A proud University of Alabama graduate, Greg’s dedication to faith, family, and community embodies the heart of Pay Grace Forward.
Dennis Fisher:
We’re grateful to have Dennis Fisher serving on the Pay Grace Forward Board of Directors. Dennis is the Chief Human Resources Officer with more than 20 years of experience leading teams and developing people. In his role, he oversees recruitment, retention, benefits, training, and employee health and volunteer services—bringing a deep understanding of people and purpose to our mission. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Atlanta and is certified as both a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Dennis’s leadership and heart for helping others make him a valued part of the Pay Grace Forward family.
Marcus Houston:
We’re thankful for Marcus Houston, who has served as Treasurer and founding board member of Pay Grace Forward. Marcus brings nearly two decades of experience at First Farmers and Merchants Bank, where he currently serves as CRA Officer, helping ensure the bank meets community credit and development needs. Over his 19-year career, he has held leadership roles as Community Development Officer, Senior Banking Executive, and Branch Manager—all driven by a passion for serving people and strengthening local communities. As both a trusted banker and connector between First Farmers Bank and PGF, Marcus continues to play a vital role in advancing our mission to help families find financial freedom.
Hudson Smith:
We’re blessed to have Hudson Smith serving as both a Board Member and Master Mentor with Pay Grace Forward. Hudson has walked alongside countless clients, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance as they work toward financial stability and freedom. His leadership and heart for people exemplify the mission of PGF, building lasting relationships that restore hope and empower change. Hudson’s commitment to mentoring and serving others has made him a cornerstone of our program and a trusted voice within the community.
Who We Are
Pay Grace Forward is a Christian nonprofit ministry, about six years in the making. Our purpose is to provide a viable alternative to predatory lending in Maury County. The ministry combines financial counseling and mentoring with low-interest loans from local banks. Our goal is to help clients escape the “debt trap” of payday lenders, reestablish credit and develop a banking relationship with a traditional lender.
$589 Average reduction of expenses
200+ Families Mentored
12 Week Program
Communities Praying For Success
$0.00 Upfront costs
Local, In Person Mentorship
Our Why
In 2013, Pastor Russ Adcox noticed something troubling: Columbia, TN had 53 payday loan stores - all strategically positioned along the line between low-income neighborhoods and the rest of the city. These weren't businesses trying to help people; they were predators feeding on desperation. He gathered a team and asked: "How do we actually help families escape this trap?" Traditional banks wouldn't lend to people stuck in payday loan cycles, so the church decided to become the backer these families needed. That's how Pay Grace Forward was born - to set middle Tennessee families free from the payday loan trap by teaching financial skills they were never taught and walking beside them until they're standing on solid ground. Since 2013, we've helped over 250 families break free, but there are still families who need us, which is why we show up every Thursday night.
hear our story
Pay Grace Forward is a Christian nonprofit ministry, about six years in the making. Our purpose is to provide a viable alternative to predatory lending in Maury County. The ministry combines financial counseling and mentoring with low-interest loans from local banks. Our goal is to help clients escape the “debt trap” of payday lenders, reestablish credit and develop a banking relationship with a traditional lender.
