Today, the ministries of Lifeway Christian Resources, originally the Sunday School Board, touch lives throughout the United States and around the world. Those ministries include the production of Bibles, church literature, books, music, audio and video recordings, church supplies, and Internet services through Lifeway.com. The company operates 165 Lifeway Christian Stores throughout the United States, as well as two of the largest Christian conference centers in the country. Through B&H Publishing Group, Lifeway offers one of the most accurate and readable translations of the Bible – The Holman Christian Standard Bible.
An entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway is a religious nonprofit organization that receives no funding from the denomination and reinvests income above operating expenses in mission work and other ministries around the world.
Lifeway people are committed to the company’s vision: “As God works through us, we will help individuals and churches by providing biblical solutions for life.”
The organization’s presence in Nashville is substantial, with:
- More than 1.3 million square feet of office, retail, parking, conference and warehouse space, covering 14.6 acres;
- About 1,500 regular full-time and part-time employees;
- A 350,000-square-foot warehouse on 44 acres in nearby Lebanon, Tenn., and Lifeway Christian Stores in downtown Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet and Clarksville;
- The Lifeway Community Fund, which supports 10 charities in Middle Tennessee; and
- Employees are involved in the ministry of scores of area churches.
Lifeway directs its ministries through seven divisions
Church Resources consults with churches and delivers biblical solutions through many ministries, resources, enrichment and training events, and age-group products, including Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, leadership development, evangelism, discipleship, music, worship, marriage and parenting.
Lifeway Christian Stores operates 165 outlets throughout the country, serving Southern Baptists and the wider evangelical market.
B&H Publishing Group produces Bibles, books, audio and video products, and church supplies, selling to bookstores and other retailers. The Holman Christian Standard Bible, introduced in 2004, is one of the best-selling Bibles in the country.
Executive Communications and Relations produces Lifeway’s news and information services, directs corporate events, builds corporate relations, and supports the office of the president in maintaining good relationships with other SBC entities, state conventions and other evangelical organizations.
The Technology division provides five key technology services for Lifeway: strategic, retail, business, enterprise, and internet technologies.
Research and Ministry Development houses Lifeway Research, one of the most respected Christian research organizations in the world. In addition, this division explores new ministry ventures, commonly known as “blue oceans,” that become known to Lifeway.
Finance and Business Services is responsible for Lifeway’s financial policies and general accounting and directs many key Lifeway business services including legal, investments, purchasing, real estate, strategic planning, corporate services and human resources. In addition, the division operates a conference center at Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
Leading Lifeway is President and CEO Thom S. Rainer, the company’s ninth chief executive. “From humble beginnings, Lifeway has grown into an international ministry by staying true to our vision of helping people and churches know Jesus Christ,” says Rainer. “Nashville is our home – and a wonderful home it is. But the world is our field of labor, and we are passionate about sharing the gospel and providing biblically sound resources that exalt our Savior and encourage His followers.”
LifeWay’s slogan is: “LifeWay. Biblical solutions for life.”
