In his mid-20s, Ben became the college pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Senior Pastor Phil Jett soon recognized his gift for preaching and invited him to step regularly into the pulpit, eventually entrusting him with the Sunday evening service. That gathering grew significantly over the next two years. At age 29, with Phil’s full support, the deacons asked Ben to become the next senior pastor. Over seven years of ministry, the church experienced steady growth and spiritual renewal.

In time, Ben and Lynley sensed a new calling: to plant a church in Denver—one of the most unreached cities in North America. What began with eleven people in their living room became a thriving congregation. While Ben focused on preaching and vision, Lynley served faithfully behind the scenes—helping shape the children’s ministry, encouraging volunteers, and lending her creative eye to the church’s aesthetic, both in temporary spaces and during the renovation of their permanent facility.

In 2019, the Mandrells returned to Tennessee when Ben was called to serve as president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. He stepped into a season of significant transition, tasked with helping reimagine the organization’s future following the closure of its retail stores. During this time, Lynley continued to invest in ministry life, co-hosting The Glass House podcast to support pastors and their families, and participating in staff development and service initiatives.

At his core, Ben is passionate about preaching, developing people, and building healthy, gospel-centered cultures. While grateful for the opportunity to lead in national spaces, he and Lynley have always felt most at home in the life of the local church. Today, they sense a joyful and Spirit-led call to serve the people of Bellevue—believing their most meaningful season of ministry may still be ahead.

Ben holds degrees from Anderson University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Union University, and has authored several Bible studies for Lifeway’s curriculum ministry.

Lynley and I have had the privilege of being with the Bellevue family a handful of times over the years, and each time, we’ve walked away with this unexplainable sense that God’s hand is on this church in a special way. There’s a spiritual weight here that’s hard to put into words, but we’ve felt it each time we’ve been on campus.

Bellevue is well known for loving the Word of God. Lynley and I both believe that the Word does the work in the life of the church. Churches engage in all kinds of meaningful ministry, but we believe that the clear, passionate preaching of God’s Word is the rising tide that raises all the boats. And I don’t say this because I’m a preacher—I say it because history confirms it. Whenever God has brought revival, it’s been marked by two things: a striking increase in prayer among the laity, and a renewed passion in the hearts of the preachers.

About 25 years ago, the Lord used a handful of preachers in my life—Adrian Rogers being one of them—to show me that the Gospel doesn’t need gimmicks. When the preacher stays with the text, delivering the truth with contagious joy, it radically impacts the hearts of the hearers. This is the kind of preaching culture that Bellevue has upheld for generations, and the thought of stepping into that legacy humbles and excites me.

Finally, there’s a personal side to this calling that’s hard to ignore. Lynley and I raised our little ones in West Tennessee before God called us to Colorado. Though we never imagined God would bring us back, this move feels like a full-circle moment—one only He could orchestrate. The people of Jackson loved us beyond words, and everything we hear tells us Bellevue is that same kind of church: a place that knows how to love people well. We are drawn to that!

I use the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) because I believe it offers the best overall balance for the modern reader—faithful to the original text, but clear and readable for today’s audience. Some might say this is blind loyalty to Lifeway, but I truly believe that the CSB is the strongest translation for preaching to a diverse Sunday morning crowd—whether someone is brand new to the Bible or has followed Jesus for decades.

That said, I regularly consult multiple translations when preparing a message and have high respect for many. Each one offers a fresh nuance or emphasis that can help illuminate the text. I even enjoy reading The Message devotionally—Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase often wakes me up to truths I’ve grown too familiar with and helps me see Scripture with fresh eyes.

When I first became a pastor, I showed up at kids and student events mostly to observe—to support the staff and signal that I cared. I was more of a fly on the wall than an active participant. But when we planted a church in Denver and Lynley stepped in to lead our kids ministry, that changed. Lovingly and persistently, she challenged me to get involved—to really see what God was doing in the hearts of the next generation. I’m so glad she did.
Next Gen ministry is one of the most strategic and sacred callings in the local church. If a church wants to reach its community, it must serve young families well—coming alongside parents in the tall task of raising Christ-centered kids. It’s incredibly hard work, and families need support, encouragement, and partnership.

Over the years, I’ve come to believe this deeply: when you reach a child, you often reach an entire family. Parents take notice when Christ begins to change the lives of the little ones they love most. 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.

I’ll begin with the role of men, since I am one.

When I pursued my Doctoral degree, I focused my research on preaching to men and equipping them to be spiritual leaders. That decision wasn’t just academic—it was deeply personal. At the time, I was a rookie pastor in over my head and a rookie dad with four small children, also in over my head! Honestly, I felt more confident leading at work than I did leading at home—and in many ways, that’s still a tension I feel.

During that season, I realized how easily men drift into isolation, including myself—choosing to ignore the struggles rather than to confess them, or to carry burdens alone instead of coming together to pray. I’ve also seen how transformative it can be when men are encouraged to step up, reject passivity, and take spiritual responsibility—while also being kind to themselves and leaving room to be wildly imperfect humans. I’ve yet to meet a man who feels like he’s getting it all right at home.

I believe the Lord has uniquely gifted men to lead with humility and strength in the local church, at home, and in the workplace. And I believe the church has a huge opportunity to reach men with the gospel—then walk with them as they grow into the leaders God is calling them to be. I’m eager to learn what’s been effective here at Bellevue and to brainstorm fresh ways to reach men who might never walk through the doors on a Sunday.

So, what about women? What are my views on women serving the local church?

In my experience as both a church planter and a CEO, the Lord has shown me how essential it is to surround myself with a diverse team of strong-minded, Spirit-led people—both men and women. I’ve learned so much from the female leaders God has placed in my life and ministry, and I continue to lean on their wisdom, insight, and discernment.

I align with the Baptist Faith & Message and believe that Scripture teaches the office of pastor is reserved for qualified men, but that doesn’t mean men are the only ones with spiritual insight to offer. The Church is at its best when men and women learn from one another, honoring the unique wisdom and perspective each brings. To overlook that is to miss the fullness of how God builds up His people.

So how exactly does God gift women for service in the church? In more ways than I can list here. In both churches I’ve pastored, women have been phenomenal ideators, implementers, organizers, teachers, strategic thinkers, encouragers, caregivers, counselors, singers, event planners, prayer warriors, disciplers, deep thinkers, and more. The Church is richly blessed when women are empowered to use their gifts fully—and I want to be the kind of leader who creates space for that to happen.

I gave my life to Christ at seven years old after hearing the gospel at a neighborhood Christmas party. Not long after, I started reading a page of the Bible each day—a small habit that quietly shaped my heart and prepared me for a life of preaching. Over the years, my reading rhythms have shifted, and like many, I’ve had seasons when Scripture felt dry or distant. But in time, if I keep returning to the pages, my love for the Word is revived. I’m reminded of what Bible scholar J.B. Phillips once said about translating Scripture—it felt like rewiring a house with the power still on. It’s so true. I’ve seen how the power of Scripture can jolt a person back to life, and that’s why I love to preach it!

Last year, while teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit, I had a vivid moment of clarity—ironically, while painting a wall. I was using a roller and forgot to reapply paint frequently. As the roller dried out, I had to press harder and harder just to get any coverage. My arms were worn out, and by the end, my hands were numb. That moment stuck with me: ministry without the fresh application of the Spirit quickly turns into striving.

Scripture says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” and I’ve found that to be true in every area of leadership. Whether I’m preaching, making decisions, or walking with someone through heartache, I must stay attuned to the Spirit’s leading. That means protecting space to pray, listen, confess, and rest—tending to the soul before trying to serve others. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower the work; He is the power behind the work. And when I’m walking closely with Him, there’s a noticeable difference in clarity, peace, and fruit.

One of the most inspiring examples in our lives is Angelee Reeves—affectionately known in our family as “Granny A.” She was a longstanding member at our first church, and immediately after losing her husband to brain cancer, she made a choice that deeply impacted us: rather than sit in sorrow, she chose to serve. She became an honorary grandmother in our home when our four kids were still in diapers—coming over on weekly schedule to help, encourage, and love on our children like they were her own.

Granny A is still going strong, and her life continues to challenge and encourage us. She reminds us that we don’t have to be defined by pain or loss. Life is too short for self-pity, and her joy-filled resilience is a testimony we’ll never forget. Not to mention—that lady can grow an amazing garden and some of the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen!

What Lynley and I have missed most is simply doing life alongside the same people, week in and week out—sharing the everyday ups and downs, celebrating the wins, grieving the losses, and enjoying the kind of inside jokes that only grow from real, consistent community. Our travels these past few years have been educational, but they’ve only reinforced how vital it is to be fully present in the lives of a local church family. The greatest gift on earth is being rooted in the body of Christ.

There is a profound, unique power in preaching the Word of God to the same group of people week after week. Scripture creates a kind of invisible glue—a spiritual bond that simply can’t be formed any other way. I can’t wait to be preparing the family meal again each week—not just for a crowd, but for our church family. I’ve heard that when Adrian Rogers and Joyce came to Bellevue, they said they were dropped into a deep sea of love. Lynley and I are ready to take the plunge!

When God wants to teach us something, He often calls us out of the boat—just like He did with Peter. Planting a church from scratch was one of the scariest and most stretching experiences of my life. There were no guarantees it would succeed. But by the grace of God, not only did it take root—it grew in ways we could never have imagined.

God used that season to teach us some lasting lessons, especially about adapting to a more secular culture.

First, I had to learn how to preach with depth, but without unnecessary complexity—especially for people who were completely new to the Bible. That meant explaining context rather than assuming it: helping people see that the Bible is a library of books, introducing characters like Jonah instead of referencing them in passing, and always offering thoughtful application for Monday—not just inspiration for Sunday. The more I preached to people encountering Scripture for the first time, the more joy I found in watching their eyes light up.

Second, Lynley and I discovered the incredible value of quality time with people. We read a book called I Once Was Lost, which explored how 2,000 postmodern young adults came to faith. The first major threshold? They all remembered the day they met a Christian they genuinely liked. That insight shaped our approach—ministry meant more than running programs; it meant building real relationships on our street and in our city.

Third, we learned just how high denominational walls can feel in the South—and how refreshingly low they were in Denver. We met Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics—believers from different backgrounds who greeted us with warmth and genuine love for Christ. No one was compromising their theology, but there was a spirit of unity that was deeply moving. Honestly, returning to the South to lead Lifeway was a tough reentry on that front. Here, Christians often view each other with suspicion if they don’t align perfectly on every point of doctrine.

These three lessons have stayed with us: teach the Word in a way that invites people in, invest relationally to earn a hearing, and love the body of Christ in all its beautiful expressions.

The Oswald Chambers Bible (with My Utmost For His Highest)

This is a new Lifeway resource, and I love it. Years ago, I was deeply moved by Chambers’ biography, and since then, My Utmost for His Highest has become a devotional I return to again and again. This new Lifeway edition weaves his rich, soul-searching reflections into the pages of Scripture, and it’s been especially meaningful as Lynley and I begin our mornings reading it together. His words have a way of gently confronting and faithfully grounding me.

A Passion for God by Lyle Dorsett

This short biography revealed a man who would lie prostrate on the floor in wordless worship for hours—deeply devoted to God—yet whose wife and children often felt painfully alienated. It challenged me to wrestle with the tension between spiritual passion and relational presence, and the risk of pursuing intimacy with God in a way that unintentionally neglects those closest to us.

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

A book about restaurants that unexpectedly reshaped how I think about church and ministry. Radical hospitality is more than good manners—it’s a reflection of the gospel. This book inspired me to pursue excellence in the small, human touches that make people feel seen, valued, and loved.

The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot

I read this decades ago, but it has stayed with me. I appreciated her no-nonsense, Scripture-rooted approach to parenting. Most people know Elisabeth as Jim Elliott’s wife, but what has always stood out to me is her own quiet strength and deep love for God’s Word.

Dwell on These Things by Vera Schmitz and Natalie Abbott

This was one of my favorite Bible studies Lifeway has done in recent years. I went through it with a group of women at our church, and together we memorized entire passages of Scripture—not just individual verses. Memorization has never come naturally to me, but that study proved I could do more than I thought. It was highly motivating.

What If It’s Wonderful? by Nicole Zasowski

This book challenged me to stop bracing for disappointment and to truly embrace joy. Nicole helped me see, through Scripture, that expecting good things from a good God isn’t naïve—it’s an act of faith. Her words encouraged me to see joy not as a risk, but as a response to God’s goodness.

Lynley and I are all over the map when it comes to music. She’s the daughter of a band director, so music has always been woven into her life. She played the violin, oboe, and even the marimba at one point—though she doesn’t play anymore, her love for music runs deep. She listens to everything from pop and country to Broadway, but what she plays most often is worship music. Lynley has one of the best praise playlists on the planet—it’s constantly refreshing and filled with songs that I didn’t know exist.

As for me, I tend to lean hard into ’90s country when I’m not listening to Shane & Shane. Living in Nashville has given me a deeper appreciation for the craft of songwriting and how special that gift truly is. I’m especially drawn to lyrics that feel poetic and journal-like—honest, reflective, and soul-searching. That’s why Ben Rector has become one of my favorites.

We both believe music is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. Whether it’s a church choir, a Christmas concert, or just a good song on a long drive, we love how music has the power to soften hearts, stir faith, and bring people together.

Lynley and I are all over the map when it comes to music. She’s the daughter of a band director, so music has always been woven into her life. She played the violin, oboe, and even the marimba at one point—though she doesn’t play anymore, her love for music runs deep. She listens to everything from pop and country to Broadway, but what she plays most often is worship music. Lynley has one of the best praise playlists on the planet—it’s constantly refreshing and filled with songs that I didn’t know exist.

As for me, I tend to lean hard into ‘90s country when I’m not listening to Shane & Shane. Living in Nashville has given me a deeper appreciation for the craft of songwriting and how special that gift truly is. I’m especially drawn to lyrics that feel poetic and journal-like—honest, reflective, and soul-searching. That’s why Ben Rector has become one of my favorites.

We both believe music is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. Whether it’s a church choir, a Christmas concert, or just a good song on a long drive, we love how music has the power to soften hearts, stir faith, and bring people together.