NASHVILLE (BP)—Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources authorized the purchase of land and construction of a building in downtown Nashville for its corporate headquarters.
“This property is not just a location. It’s a new community in which we can invest ourselves for the future,” President and CEO Thom Rainer told trustees.
The property is five blocks north of LifeWay’s current headquarters with frontage on Interstate 40/65. LifeWay administration will continue its due diligence on the 2.7 acres of land in Capitol View, a new mixed-use development site in Nashville’s central business district.
Rainer told trustees the Capitol View development would be a great location for employees and provide convenient access to hotels, restaurants and meeting space for LifeWay visitors and conference participants.
Trustees also approved a recommendation for the construction of a new corporate headquarters. The recommendation included the authorization to enter into a contract with Gresham, Smith and Partners for the design of the facility and “to execute other contracts and documents as necessary for LifeWay to complete the new campus.”
“We are designing a building that will reflect LifeWay’s culture, both now and for the future,” Rainer told trustees. “It will be a building conducive to collaboration, innovation and fun.”
During a Feb. 4 news conference, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry joined Rainer to announce LifeWay’s decision to remain downtown.
“I know LifeWay had many options, and we are excited they have chosen to remain a part of the fabric of Nashville,” Barry said.
About 1,100 LifeWay employees are based in the downtown offices and will move into the new building. Rainer estimated its completion could be as early as November 2017.
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In his report to trustees, Rainer talked about the many changes that have occurred at LifeWay over the last 10 years.
“We have faced headwinds again and again. But God has worked through these times. It is amazing to see what God has done through LifeWay,” he said. “We are here for such a time as this. And it’s time to move forward.”
In other business, LifeWay trustees elected officers—Kent Dacus, vice president for enrollment and student services at California Baptist University, chairman; Bruce Moseley, pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Mobile, Ala., vice chairman; and Darron Edwards, senior pastor of United Believers Community Church in Kansas City, Mo., recording secretary.
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