News Summary
Ben Mandrell has been unanimously recommended as the next senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. The pastor search committeeโs decision follows Mandrellโs successful tenure at Lifeway Christian Resources. A congregational vote will determine his appointment after he delivers a sermon on July 13. Mandrellโs leadership style and vision for engaging the community were key factors in this recommendation, amidst a transitional period for the church following Steve Gainesโ departure.
Memphis, TN โ Ben Mandrell has been recommended as the next senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, one of the largest congregations in the Memphis metro area. The churchโs pastor search committee has unanimously put forward Mandrell for the position ahead of a congregational vote that will take place following the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, July 13.
Mandrell, who is currently the CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, will deliver a sermon at Bellevue that day in view of a call to serve as senior pastor. The church, which has seen considerable changes in leadership over the years, most recently had Steve Gaines at the helm, who announced his transition from the senior pastor role to focus on itinerant preaching starting in September 2024.
The decision to recommend Mandrell comes after his successful tenure at Lifeway, where he has led the organization since August 2019. Under his leadership, Lifeway has not only survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic but also achieved four consecutive years of financial growth and successfully relocated into a new building in Brentwood, Tennessee.
The chair of Lifewayโs Board of Trustees has commended Mandrell for his leadership style, which combines humility with the ability to effectively navigate complex transitions and challenges.
Before his time at Lifeway, Mandrell was the lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colorado, where he played a pivotal role in growing the congregation from 250 to 1,600 weekly attendees within just four years. His earlier ministry included serving as the senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, where he successfully increased attendance from 1,800 to 2,600 weekly attendees.
Mandrell holds a Bachelorโs degree from Anderson University, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union University. Originally from Tampico, Illinois, he and his wife Lynley have been married for 23 years and they have four children: Ava, Max, Miles, and Jack.
The pastor search committee at Bellevue highlighted Mandrellโs strong communication skills and deep love for Godโs Word as essential attributes that led to their recommendation. His vision for engaging the non-religious community was also noted as a significant reason for his selection. The congregation is expected to have a definitive say in his potential appointment after he preaches on July 13.
As Bellevue Baptist Church prepares for this transitional period, Lifeway is also moving forward to find a successor for Mandrell. The organization plans to form a search committee ahead of their board meeting scheduled for August 25-26.
This leadership change comes during a pivotal moment for Bellevue Baptist Church as its members seek to establish a new direction following the departure of Steve Gaines. The anticipated vote will decide whether Mandrell will assume the senior pastor role, potentially shaping the future of the church for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Baptist Press
- Wikipedia: Bellevue Baptist Church
- Fox 13 Memphis
- Google Search: Ben Mandrell
- Baptist News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baptist
- WREG News
- Google News: Steve Gaines Bellevue Baptist
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