News Articles by Carol Pipes

NASHVILLE (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources is canceling World Changers mission projects for summer 2020 and closing all future operations due to declining numbers and the inability to host projects this summer because of COVID-19. "We are sad about the closing of World Changers, but we know now is the time to make this decision based on more than 10 years of decline in participants and the current financial impact related to the coronavirus pandemic," said Ben Trueblood, director of Student Ministry at LifeWay.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources announced that FUGE, StudentLife, Student Life for Kids and CentriKid camps, as well as World Changers projects scheduled for June have been canceled due to concerns stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. "We've been closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and following the guidance of government and health authorities to ensure we are taking the right actions to protect our campers, staff and the communities where we host camps," said Ben Trueblood, director of students at LifeWay. "Due to the continued health concerns related to COVID-19, we've made the decision to cancel all camp programming for the month of June.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Ben Mandrell unveiled to trustees a new organizational structure and mission statement to align the organization for future ministry and growth. LifeWay experienced a successful transition in closing its brick-and-mortar retail chain in 2019 and saw significant growth in its direct sales channels, Mandrell reported to trustees during their biannual board meeting, Feb. 3-4 in Nashville.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- A majority of Protestant churchgoers believe making sacrificial decisions to serve Christ is essential to their faith, and most try to avoid situations that might lead to immoral thoughts or actions, according to a new study released Thursday (Aug. 8). The 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment study from LifeWay Research found two-thirds (66 percent) of Protestant churchgoers agree with the statement: "A Christian must learn to deny himself or herself to serve Christ," with 38 percent strongly agreeing. The survey was conducted Jan. 14–29.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- When it comes to trusting God, Protestant churchgoers exercise a great deal of faith in their daily lives -- whether in difficult circumstances or when the unexplainable happens, a new study released Tuesday (July 16) shows. The 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment study from LifeWay Research found 7 in 10 (72 percent) Protestant churchgoers disagree with the statement: "During difficult circumstances, I sometimes doubt that God loves me and will provide for my life," with 50 percent strongly disagreeing.

ATLANTA (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources trustees unanimously elected Ben Mandrell as the organization's 10th president during a special-called meeting June 28 in Atlanta. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead in such an important season for LifeWay," Mandrell told trustees during the plenary session. "My first priority is to get our family to Nashville and begin loving the people at LifeWay. There is already an amazing team in place, and I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and work alongside them."

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Colorado pastor Ben Mandrell has been unanimously recommended as the next president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources by the trustees' presidential search committee. Mandrell, 42, is the lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. Trustees will vote on the recommendation during a special called session Friday, June 28, in Atlanta.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources' commitment to the mission given to the entity by Southern Baptists in 1891 has never been stronger, acting CEO Brad Waggoner said in his report to messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Ala. Despite the challenges LifeWay has faced the past year, the entity's core ministry channels are strong and growing, Waggoner reported. In the first seven months of 2019, LifeWay's publishing and events ministries have grown by $6.7 million over the prior year, while LifeWay.com has seen 14 consecutive months of growth, with revenue up nearly 24 percent.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Southern Baptist congregations saw an increase of more than $82 million in overall giving in 2018, according to the latest Annual Church Profile (ACP) report. However, other key metrics declined slightly in 2018, including baptisms, membership, average worship attendance and total number of Southern Baptist churches. The number of churches cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention declined by 88 to 47,456 or 0.19 percent. Southern Baptists also reported 4,085 church-type missions last year, a decline of 291 or 6.65 percent. The number of churches and missions combined is 51,541 congregations. The ACP is compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Most Protestant pastors feel confident about the discipleship taking place in their churches. But there's still plenty of room for growth, according to a new study from LifeWay Research. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) say they are satisfied with the state of discipleship and spiritual formation in their local church, while 78 percent indicate there's room for improvement.