Lifeway Christian Resources trustees unanimously elected Ryan Blackwell as the organization’s 11th president and CEO during a special-called meeting April 22 in Nashville. Blackwell will assume the role of Lifeway president on June 1, succeeding Joe Walker, who has served as interim president since July 2025.
Blackwell, 42, comes to Lifeway from his role as executive pastor and teaching pastor at Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas, where he has served since 2020. During his tenure, Blackwell provided leadership development, strategic planning and organizational alignment as the church grew from 7,000 to more than 11,000 in weekly attendance and expanded to a fourth campus. Prior to joining the staff at Cross Church, he served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church San Francisco for nearly a decade, leading the revitalization of this historic congregation from 2010-2019.
“I’m deeply humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity by the trustees,” Blackwell noted. “Lifeway has a long and faithful history of serving churches, and I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time. I love the local church and believe deeply in its mission. My heart is to serve pastors and church leaders by helping provide biblically faithful resources that strengthen discipleship and advance the gospel.”
Background
A native of Arkansas, Blackwell grew up at Cross Church and previously served as its pastor of young adults. He has served in local church ministry for more than 20 years, including various ministry roles at churches in California, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
The election of Blackwell follows an eight-month search led by the presidential search committee composed of seven trustees approved by the full board in July 2025. Billy Stewart, chair of the search committee, commented on Blackwell’s election.
Blackwell’s childhood friend and senior pastor of Cross Church, Nick Floyd, was among the first to endorse Blackwell’s nomination. “Ryan’s heart beats for the local church, and I’m confident of his ability to lead Lifeway into a bright future of serving churches worldwide. While this transition is a significant loss for Cross Church, it is a massive win for Lifeway and Southern Baptists.”
Blackwell graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gateway Seminary.
Blackwell and his wife, Rachel, have been married since 2006 and have three children — Brady, Allie and Mae.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Carol Pipes and originally published by Lifeway Christian Resources.
