LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville appeared to leave little doubt of its aggressive timetable for construction of its new building. Officials broke ground for new headquarters April 6 just hours after closing the purchase of the property.
Within two years, LifeWay expects to move 1,100 employees into a new office building on 2.5 acres in Capitol View, a mixed-use urban development in Nashville’s central business district.
On April 6 the future site of the nine-story, 250,000-square-foot building was primarily dirt and gravel, with front-end loaders waiting idly beside a huge white tent. Hundreds of employees gathered for a brief ceremony to pray and dedicate the new location.
LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer said of the future of the new property, “It’s going to be amazing to see what will happen. Lives will be changed and people will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The only thing we can do in response is say, ‘God, to You be the glory,’ and pray that every day we will be used by Him.”
Legacy of commitment
Frank S. Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, expressed thanksgiving for LifeWay’s legacy of commitment and quality. “We are proud to be partners with this organization,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony coincided with a celebration of the 125th anniversary of LifeWay, established in 1891 as the Baptist Sunday School Board. Its downtown Nashville campus eventually expanded to 14.5 acres, more than the ministry needs today.
In November 2015, LifeWay sold the property to San Diego-based Southwest Value Partners, a private real estate investment firm. The new owner plans to redevelop the site, but LifeWay will continue to occupy part of the property until its new building is complete.
In a chapel service for employees before the groundbreaking, Rainer outlined LifeWay’s 125-year history through the accomplishments of its eight previous presidents, from entrepreneurial founder J.M. Frost, “one of my heroes of the faith,” to Rainer’s immediate predecessor, James Draper.
Rainer noted a worldwide shift toward digital technology since his own tenure began in 2006.
“As we move to Capitol View, the God who has been with us for 125 years will be with us in the future,” Rainer said.
Employees then boarded shuttles to the new location, where Rainer and his executive leadership team tossed dirt into the air with ceremonial shovels.
Construction of the new building is expected to begin almost immediately.
(BP)
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