Dr. Thom Rainer, CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources

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mid the turbulent political climate that earmarked the early 1960s, a young man raised in a small town in southern Alabama took note of the world around him. Along the way, he discovered a powerful ingredient to life that would chart and change his course and the course of others in dramatic ways.

Dr. Thom Rainer, noted author, former pastor, and ninth president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources (www.lifeway.com), remembers with clarity the unrest and struggles for social justice that plagued a nation in the throes of change. "I would describe my childhood as tumultuous because national events had so much bearing on my life."

Indeed, Thom Rainer grew up in the shadow of the civil rights movement. "My hometown was 20 miles from Tuskegee, 40 miles from Montgomery and 60 miles from Selma. I remember vividly many of the civil rights marches and the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King."

Tossed about by political upheaval, Thom attended three different high schools without ever moving from his small hometown. As providence would have it, it was during that period of constant change that his high school football coach, Joe Hendrickson, led him to Christ.

"He was bold but gracious," Dr. Rainer remembers. "He told me that something was missing from my life and that I needed Someone. I learned from my coach that we must be gracious and bold in our witness for Christ."

Career beginnings

Faith was a new experience for the young Thom. His parents were not regular churchgoers. They did, however, deeply instill a sense of confidence and purpose in their son.

In the book, "Raising Dad" (B & H Publishing Group, 2007), which he co-authored with his son Art, Dr. Rainer discusses the influence his parents had on his life while he was growing up. "I thought I could conquer the world because my parents told me I could."

Thom set out to pursue a career in business, following in his father's footsteps. In 1977 he received his degree from the University of Alabama and stepped into the world of corporate finance as a fifth-generation banker.

Dr. Thom Rainer

"In retrospect I see how God was carefully guiding my life, though I did not realize it at the time. I thought I would never leave the world of business. In fact, I loved the business world. My plans were to be a Christian influence in business, but God had other plans," says Dr. Rainer.

"I knew I was being called into vocational ministry shortly after I received my dream promotion in the bank where I worked. With two preschool children, my wife and I moved to attend seminary, still wondering what God was up to."

Dr. Thom Rainer

God was up to something big. Over the course of his career, Dr. Rainer has produced 17 books and risen as a leading authority on the subject of church growth. He has served as a pastor of four churches, dean of a seminary, and president of a church consulting company. "Then, in 2005 God gave me the opportunity to become president of LifeWay Christian Resources, the largest Christian resource company in the world. After 20 years, God had brought me to the perfect intersection of Christian ministry and business," Dr. Rainer states, reflecting on the path of his career.

LifeWay's publishing division B&H Publishing Group, produced the Holman Christian Standard Bible, one of the most accurate translations ever. In addition, LifeWay is a nonprofit organization and reinvests income above operating expenses in mission work and ministries around the world.

Some pursuits come at the expense of family or spiritual disciplines.

His career accomplishments, however, sometimes came with a great price. "I have not always been satisfied in my pursuit or the outcome of my goals," Dr. Rainer admits. "Too often those pursuits came at the expense of my family or my spiritual disciplines."

Nellie Jo

When asked to share an example of a personally gratifying pursuit, Dr. Rainer is quick to point to his wife of 30 years. "My most satisfying pursuit was getting Nellie Jo to marry me. She actually turned me down for a date on my first three requests!"

Dr. Rainer takes a rather subjective view when asked to share about his successes and accomplishments. "You might expect me to say that my greatest accomplishment in life is my salvation, but that accomplishment is all God's doing and none of my own. My greatest accomplishment is being the husband of Nellie Jo and the father of Sam, Art and Jess. I love my family more than I could ever describe. The joy they give me is far greater than anything else that might be construed as an accomplishment in my life."

Where his faith and his family are concerned, Dr. Rainer is not shy about giving credit where he feels the credit is due. "My blessing was to go where I sensed God leading me, even though I did not understand why at the time, and for marrying Nellie Jo, who is smarter than I and more in touch with God than I am. She often knew God's direction for our lives more clearly and sooner than I did."

In the winter of 2004, the Rainer family received devastating news when Nellie Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was Nellie Jo's total faith that Dr. Rainer cites as his first source of strength during that difficult time. "When she received word that the cancer had spread, she smiled in tears and said, ‘If my Lord wants to take me home, I'm ready.' As I observed her faith, my faith grew and God has been merciful."

Living by faith

Nellie Jo has now been cancer free for three years, but Dr. Rainer recalls the painful period of uncertainty during her illness. "I had days when all I could do was cry out to God, and ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. In my total weakness I discovered even more: God's total strength."

Great victories come by praying for God to focus us on the things that matter to him.

The man who has dedicated his life to encouraging spiritual growth admits an understanding of the elusive depth of one's daily walk with God. With utter transparency, he reveals his personal struggle with the day-to-day realities of living a life of faith.

"I am inconsistent in both my prayer life and my time in God's Word. I let secondary and tertiary issues of life replace that which really matters." Dr. Rainer admits that it is an ongoing battle for him, but one that he is resolved to fight on a daily basis.

"My greatest victories in overcoming the battle take place when I pray throughout the day for the Lord to focus me on those things that matter to him. When I do, I become a better prayer warrior; I have a greater desire to be in the Word and I am a more faithful witness," says Dr. Rainer.

Dr. Thom Rainer

With a penchant for working hard, it is increasingly important to Dr. Rainer to keep things in perspective. When asked what advice he would offer others about pursuing and achieving their goals, he answers, "My advice is to pursue that which really matters. Because I have been driven too often by earthly pursuits, I have at times neglected my prayer time, my time in God's Word and my family. Though I have great joy in being the president of LifeWay Christian Resources, I would rather be remembered as a faithful servant of our Lord, a good husband and a good father."

Faith leads to rejoicing

There have been people along the way who have helped mentor Dr. Rainer on spirituality. "The late Lewis Drummond had a profound impact on my life, especially in the area of prayer and personal evangelism." Likewise, his uncle Jess Keller, who also recently passed away, helped to form the walk of faith that is the pivotal point of his life.

"Ironically," Dr. Rainer adds, "my three sons are spiritual mentors to me today. Though I should be their mentor, their godly influences in my life make me look up to them every day."

Dr. Rainer describes his relationship with God as one of joy. "I am discovering each and every day more about what it means to be a rejoicing Christian." He holds fast to two verses that define his life: Acts 4: 20 ("For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.") and Philippians 4: 4 ("Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!").

One might be hard-pressed not to find the results of those Scripture verses shining brightly through the life of Dr. Thom Rainer. The young man taking note of the world around him during the turbulent 1960s found an unquenchable faith - one that leaves an indelible imprint and, indeed, conquers the world.