If elected, Mandrell will become the 10th president of the 128-year-old organization.
Mandrell, 42, serves as lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. He and his family moved to the Denver area in 2014 to plant Storyline Fellowship in partnership with the North American Mission Board and First Baptist Church Orlando. The church launched in February 2015 with 250 people and has grown to 1,600 in weekly attendance, with over 2,800 this past Easter.
Before planting Storyline Fellowship, Mandrell served as senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., from 2006-2013 during which time he led the church to grow from 1,800 to 2,600 in weekly attendance. Before becoming senior pastor, he served as the church’s college pastor and as director of discipleship ministries at Union University in Jackson. He previously was on staff with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., K-Life Ministries of Orlando, Fla., and Sterling Christian School in Sterling, Ill.
“I am so humbled by this incredible opportunity and grateful to be joining the amazing team of creatives at LifeWay,” Mandrell said. “I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for these coming years.”
The recommendation of Mandrell follows a 10-month search that began with the presidential search committee members’ commitment to pray every day and seek God’s guidance throughout the process, said Kent Dacus, chairman of the search committee. The team gave serious and prayerful consideration to a diverse field of candidates, he said.
“Ben has an incredible passion for the local church and for how LifeWay can help meet its needs,” Dacus said. “We found a leader who has a focused and compelling vision for the future of LifeWay.”
Trustee chairman Jimmy Scroggins agreed with Dacus saying, “Ben’s proven leadership and vision matches LifeWay’s assignment to serve churches in their mission of making disciples.”
A native of Tampico, Ill., Mandrell graduated from Anderson (Ind.) University in 1998. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union University.
Mandrell and his wife, Lynley, have been married 18 years. Lynley, a native of Jonesboro, Ark., and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, serves as the director of Kids Ministry at Storyline Fellowship. The couple has four children: Ava (15), Max (14), Miles (12) and Jack (11).
“What an incredible leader and future for LifeWay,” said Thom S. Rainer, who served as LifeWay’s ninth president from Feb. 2006-Feb. 2019. “God has raised up the right man for the right leadership at the right time.”
Search committee members noted Mandrell’s wisdom, energy and visionary leadership, as well as his commitment to Scripture and heart for reaching the lost as qualities that make him uniquely suited to this role.
“I’m excited to see how LifeWay and the organization’s employees will be leveraged to reach a continuously changing culture with the gospel,” said committee member Brad McLean. “Ben is a high-quality leader who loves the Lord and His church, and he will impact LifeWay and the Southern Baptist Convention for years to come.”
The trustees appointed to the search committee include Kent Dacus (Calif.), Bill Langley (Ky.), Millie Burkett (Ore.), Brad McLean (Texas), Madeline Harris (Penn.), Todd Fannin (Okla.), and Luther McDaniel (Tenn.). Alternate members included Mike Osborne (Va.) and J.D. Perry (La.).
“The search committee has fervently prayed to God for His choice and for the leader He wanted in place, for such a time as this,” said search committee member Madeline Harris. “Ben sees this position at LifeWay as a call to serve God and God’s people.”
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