Lifeway Christian Resources

The ministries of Lifeway Christian Resources have been centered in Nashville, Tennessee, since its founding in 1891. Today Lifeway's ministries reach across the United States and around the world through millions of Christian products used in more than 160 countries. Lifeway is a nonprofit organization that reinvests income above operating expenses in mission work and other ministries around the world.

Lifeway is one of the world’s largest providers of Christian resources. Voted one of 2018 Forbes' Best Midsize Employers and Best Midsize Employers for Women, the campus is located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Our headquarters team leads, produces, and delivers biblical solutions to fulfill the mission and vision of Lifeway's ministry.

We value what makes you unique.

When you join our team, we value you and the experiences that make you unique.  Because our products, services, and events impact people from a multitude of backgrounds, we want a workforce that reflects a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

Faith works here.

Here at Lifeway, we seek to work with churches and believers in Christ to discover the best biblical solutions for life. Every single one of us here combines faith with professional passions to work together as one in fulfilling this purpose. 

Core Values

Treasure Biblical Truth
We believe in the power of God’s Word to change the world. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Care About Character
We believe God sees the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Be Better Together
We believe in the power of team spirit. (Proverbs 27:17)

Create Customer Delight
We believe the church is worthy of our best. (Romans 12:10)

Chart What’s Next
We believe we are called to help the Church thrive in the future. (Matthew 16:18)

In 1891, Dr. James M. Frost, Lifeway's first president, had a desk, a corner of a newspaper office, and a little money he borrowed from his wife. More importantly, he had a vision for an organization that would help churches teach God's Word, develop leaders, and impact the culture.

He put these four things together to begin what is known today as Lifeway Christian Resources. The organization, formerly called the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, was established by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1891 after its annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Convention gave Frost the approval he needed, but no funds were allocated to him. Undaunted, Frost put his vision and his work space in the office of Tennessee's Baptist newspaper, the Baptist and Reflector, to good use. Frost laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most influential entities in Southern Baptist life.

Lifeway's first assignment was the publication of Sunday School curriculum. More than a century later, Lifeway continues to provide Bible study curriculum, along with a wide range of Christian resources, events, and services.

Change in Name, But Not Identity

At the time of the organization's inception as a Southern Baptist entity in 1891, the official name was "The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention." So it was recorded in the Convention minutes then, and remained for more than 100 years.

Over the years, however, the Sunday School Board expanded its range of resources. The name no longer encompassed the wide array of products and services the company offered. Nor did it reflect the broadening scope of the organization's mission.

Beginning as early as 1971, the Lifeway name was used in limited applications. Since then, it has been used both as an imprint for Lifeway resources and as a retail store identity in select markets.

The decision to change the name and adopt the Lifeway identity corporate-wide was not an easy one. The actual process itself took more than two years to complete. In 1998, the Sunday School Board officially changed its name to Lifeway Christian Resources.

The Lifeway name communicates that Jesus is at the very heart of all work and ministry.

The LifeWay Logo

The Lifeway logo is a simple, crisp, dynamic design that clearly reflects the organization's vision.

The word "Lifeway" is rooted in Jesus' words in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The three words — way, truth, and life — illustrate the many dimensions of the saving work of Christ.

• "Way" speaks of the link between God and mankind.
• "Truth" reminds us of the complete reliability of Jesus in all that He is and does. Truth is the commodity of our organization.
• "Life" stresses far more than mere physical existence. The only life worthy of the name is that which Jesus brings, for He is life itself. LifeWay points to the essence of our Christian faith — the way to a full and meaningful life.

Lifeway Today

Today, Lifeway Christian Resources is housed in a facility in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; and a distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee. Lifeway Christian Resources ministers in more than 160 countries around the world.