English
Korean
Spanish
RIDGECREST, N.C.—One hundred and twenty-five years after Southern Baptists gave J. M. Frost the approval he needed to begin publishing Sunday School literature, LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom Rainer paid tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit and godly persistence of the man he considers one of his heroes of the faith.
“He knew the Baptist Sunday School Board had failed three times previously, but he persisted,” Rainer told trustees meeting at Ridgecrest (N.C.) Conference Center Aug. 28-30, recalling that the convention gave Frost no money, no office and no assistance.
“So much of what is happening at LifeWay today has the imprint of J.M. Frost. We exist for the bride of Christ, the church,” Rainer said.
After hearing reports from vice presidents in charge of insights, organizational development, finance, retail stores, technology and resources, trustees approved a nearly one percent increase over the current year to set the total budget for 2017 at $501.3 million.
LifeWay is projecting almost $10 million in revenue growth from the resources division this year, continuing to see a turnaround in the sale of ongoing curriculum after earlier years of decline. The successful release of “War Room” by LifeWay Films and related resources contributed to the banner year.
Eric Geiger, vice president for the resources division, offered an overview of new releases with either the LifeWay or B&H imprint, including “Journey,” a four-volume discipleship curriculum “mapping out what a disciple’s path would look like.”
Trustees learned that LifeWay Christian Stores are undergoing a redesign with an interactive area for children and more specific categorization of adult books. “The majority of people are not actually coming in for a specific book, explained Cossy Pachares, vice president over the retail division. “They have a life issue and are looking for a book to address that.
By reflowing books to match issues such as grief, depression, marriage and finances, Pachares said, “We found the very best, biblically solid resources that address life issues. You don’t want to trust yourself to what an Amazon review says. When we found gaps, we worked with B&H and other publishers to make sure we are impacting lives.”
In leading the 5,000 employees serving at the corporate offices in Nashville, the center in Lebanon, Tenn., the conference center in North Carolina, and retail locations across the United States, Rainer said he returns to Psalm 147:10-11 to remember that God is not impressed by buildings or budgets, but by “those who fear him” and “those who put their hope in his faithful love.”
He announced the addition of Connia Nelson as the new director of human resources, bringing years of experience with Verizon Communications where she served as senior vice president in the same capacity with 175,000 employees. “This is another example of how God is working in an incredible way,” Rainer said.
All six Texans who serve as LifeWay trustees were present for the meeting, including Ken Carter of Lubbock, Brice Mandaville of Seguin, Brad McLean of New Braunfels, Bob Pearle of Fort Worth, Michael Stevens of Austin and Roger Yancey of Conroe.
