Illinois Baptist
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Illinoisan elected to lead LifeWay
VIEWPOINTS
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Nashville, Tenn. | The new president of LifeWay Christian Resources is a native of Illinois. Ben Mandrell (pictured at right with his family) was elected June 28 to lead the 128-year-old publishing house. Mandrell, who currently pastors a church in the Denver area, grew up in Tampico in northwestern Illinois. “One of the reasons I believe God has raised me up for this season at LifeWay is because I have spent the lion’s share of my life outside the South,” Mandrell told the Illinois Baptist in an exclusive interview. “While I married a beautiful Southern gal, and my first pastorate was in Tennessee, I am not a very southern Southern Baptist. I believe this gives me fresh eyes and a unique perspective.” Mandrell, 42, follows former LifeWay president Thom Rainer, who announced his retirement last August after leading the organization 13 years. “What an incredible leader and future for LifeWay,” Rainer said of Mandrell’s nomination. “God has raised up the right man for the right leadership at the right time.” Earlier this year, LifeWay announced the closure of all 170 of its retail stores across the country due to decreased profitability. The entity has committed to focus more on digital platforms and resources, and has promised LifeWay resources will still be available for purchase online.
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In comments to the IB, Mandrell noted the need for more diversity in resources for different regions of the country. “I truly believe that LifeWay has to begin looking hard at the various regions of the country and start asking the question, ‘What resources would work here? How could current resources be adapted to better fit the people who live here?’
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News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
JULY 08, 2019 Vol. 113 No. 10
P. 3
in focus
IB
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Online all the time IllinoisBaptist.org
The real bucket list
The healing gospel in Kenya
mission
P. 7-9
MINISTRY
ETHICS
P. 3
P. 5
Pastors’ housing allowance is safe— for now
Watching for ‘groomers’
Plus: Churches urged to join abuse prevention P. 11
Baptists call for end to genetic engineering Meet the new counselor P. 15