Bellevue Baptist Church has announced Ben Mandrell, current president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, as its senior pastor nominee to succeed longtime pastor Steve Gaines.

Mandrell will preach to the Memphis-area congregation on July 13, 2025, after which members will vote on whether to confirm him as the church’s next senior pastor, The Christian Post reported.

The church’s pastor search committee unanimously endorsed Mandrell after an eight-month nationwide search. His nomination marks a potential leadership change at one of the Southern Baptist Convention’s most prominent churches.

“The pastor search committee's only goal during the past eight months was to seek the man God had already chosen to lead our church,” said Chad Hall, chairman of the committee. “Through much prayer and unity, we unanimously believe God revealed Ben Mandrell as that man.”

Mandrell has led Lifeway Christian Resources since 2019, overseeing major organizational shifts during his tenure. Under his guidance, Lifeway relocated its headquarters to Brentwood, Tennessee, and weathered the COVID-19 crisis with significant financial recovery.

Before joining Lifeway, Mandrell pastored churches in Colorado and Tennessee. He is originally from Illinois and holds a divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as a doctorate from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.

Mandrell expresses readiness to return to preaching ministry

In statements released following the announcement, Mandrell reflected on his years at Lifeway and the call back to the pulpit. “I am deeply grateful for these years in Nashville with Lifeway,” he said.

“[My family and I] are humbled to have been entrusted with such a meaningful role in a significant Southern Baptist church, and we are genuinely excited to see what God has in store for both Lifeway and Bellevue,” he added.

Mandrell has been married to his wife, Lynley, since 2001. Together, they have four children.

Gaines to step aside for itinerant preaching

Steve Gaines, who has served as Bellevue Baptist’s senior pastor since 2005, announced in September 2023 that he would step down. He emphasized that his decision wasn’t health-related but rather a spiritual nudge to pursue itinerant preaching.

In November 2023, however, Gaines revealed that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer. He opened up about his diagnosis directly to the congregation, saying he wanted to communicate “straight up.”

“We got some great doctors; we've got the best doctor,” Gaines told church members at the time. He quoted a Bible verse that he said had provided him confidence during his recovery journey.

Church members to make the final decision

Gaines noted that his treatments were going well and shared that a recent PET scan delivered encouraging results. Despite the diagnosis, he expressed belief that his life and ministry were still in God’s hands.

“My treatments are going well,” he said. “I received a good PET scan report this last week, but regardless of what tests show, my faith is in the Lord.”

Members of Bellevue Baptist Church will cast their votes following Mandrell’s sermon on July 13 to determine whether he will become the next senior pastor. The confirmation vote is expected to be an important milestone in the church’s ongoing leadership transition.