Bellevue Baptist Church has appointed Ben Mandrell, current CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, as its eighth senior pastor. During a post-service business session, the congregation stood to confirm Mandrell, who described the response as a "big hurricane of Bellevue love," according to FOX13 Memphis. He succeeds Steve Gaines, who announced his intention to transition out of the pastoral role last September.
A search for Steve Gaines' successor launched in November 2024, two months after Gaines announced his departure to pursue an itinerant preaching ministry. In a business session that followed a worship service, the congregation of Bellevue voted in Mandrell's favor. Chad Hall, chair of the pastor search committee, highlighted the prayerful journey they embarked on, telling Baptist Press, "From that very first night, we began praying for our pastor." Mandrell, scheduled to assume the pulpit on August 10, has prior ministry experience, including a tenure at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, where weekly attendance increased during his leadership.
Within the Southern Baptist community and beyond, Bellevue Baptist Church's decision holds weight, reflecting the legacy of former leaders who have also presided over the Southern Baptist Convention. The congregation, which currently reports thousands of in-person and online attendees, is preparing for Mandrell’s upcoming leadership. "This ministry is filled with salt-of-the-earth people, and it’s truly heartbreaking to think we won’t see their faces as often in the years to come," Mandrell told Baptist Press, in reference to his soon-to-be-former colleagues at Lifeway.
Ben Mandrell’s path to Bellevue includes a range of ministerial roles, from founding Storyline Fellowship in Colorado to serving as a college pastor and in other capacities in Tennessee. His appointment follows a career in church leadership across multiple states. Lifeway Communications Director Carol Pipes confirmed a special called board meeting is set for tomorrow to discuss transition details between Lifeway and Bellevue. Mandrell, a native of Tampico, Illinois, is a graduate of Anderson University and holds advanced degrees from accredited theological institutions.
