After a unanimous recommendation from the search committee and a full congregational vote, Dr. Ben Mandrell has been called to be the next senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee. His first Sunday is scheduled for Aug. 10.
“There’s a personal side to this calling that’s hard to ignore,” shared Mandrell. “Though we never imagined God would bring us back, this move feels like a full-circle moment—one only He could orchestrate.”
After Church Vote, Ben Mandrell Called to Bellevue Baptist Church
After Bellevue’s former senior pastor, Dr. Steve Gaines, announced his “transition out of the pastorate” in September 2024 to pursue a call “to serve as an itinerant preacher,” Bellevue’s search committee began to look for new leadership. The committee expressed deep gratitude to the church congregation for its support and encouragement during the search process. Mandrell was unanimously recommended to the congregation by the search committee.
Mandrell had pastored churches in Tennessee and Colorado before taking on the role of President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources.
“Our entire family is deeply grateful for these years in Nashville with Lifeway,” said Mandrell, according to Baptist Press. “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.”
“Even so,” he said, “the Lord has made it crystal clear that it’s time for us to return to the pastorate and to join the Bellevue family.”
Mandrell described Bellevue Baptist Church as “a place that knows how to love people well.” His family has already been on the receiving end of such love from the church.
Mandrell preached on Sunday, and the service was followed by an all-church meeting that included the congregational vote.
In a page on Bellevue’s website dedicated to helping people get to know Mandrell and his family, Mandrell shared that “Next Gen ministry is one of the most strategic and sacred callings in the local church.” He recognizes a deep need in the community for young families to feel seen and supported.
“You can count on the Mandrells to be fully invested in the spiritual lives of kids and students—because we believe that the future of the Church depends on it,” he said.
Possibly in response to the ongoing controversy in the SBC regarding the roles of women in the church, Mandrell directly addressed his views on the topic.
