By Baptist Press
LifeWay’s executive leadership team turned the ceremonial first shovels of dirt for the ministry’s new building. (From left to right) Jerry Rhyne, Eric Geiger, Selma Wilson, Thom Rainer, Brad Waggoner, Ed Stetzer, Tim Hill and Cossy Pachares.
NASHVILLE (BP) — LifeWay Christian Resources celebrated its 125th anniversary, then held a groundbreaking ceremony and prayer service today (April 6) on property in downtown Nashville where it intends to build its new headquarters.
LifeWay announced plans in February to build a nine-story 250,000-square-foot office building in a mixed use development located just blocks from the campus LifeWay sold last November.
Employees gathered for a special chapel service in Van Ness Auditorium where LifeWay President Thom S. Rainer showed a video and highlighted the Southern Baptist entity’s history. Staff were then shuttled to a large tent on the wind-swept site to pray and dedicate the location.
“There’s really a singular purpose to this — to celebrate through prayer,” Rainer told the assembled employees.
Construction is expected to begin almost immediately. Rainer previously announced his hopes the ministry’s 1,100 employees will move into the new building in less than two years, late 2017 or early 2018.
