Church Life

Introducing CT’s New President

Unbeknownst to me, I began recruiting my successor six years ago.

Illustration by Rick Szuecs

I’m so glad God doesn’t operate on my timetable. The year was 2013. The place: Harvard Yard. I found myself sitting over coffee with someone who had impressed me enough during the previous three years that I was about to offer him a position on CT’s executive team. The role was completely new; I had created it specifically for him in hopes that he might bring to the ministry new ideas for missional expansion and financial growth.

Job description in hand, I put the full court press on this prospective new employee, confident that a “yes” was forthcoming. But no sooner was my pitch delivered than I heard: “Harold, I’d love to be a part of your team, and the role fits me perfectly. But now is simply not the time.” So much for my salesmanship!

Fast forward almost six years to February of this year, when the Christianity Today board of directors was meeting in Dallas to consider that same man as my successor. They voted unanimously to ask Tim Dalrymple to be CT’s next president and CEO. And this time, Tim said yes!

At the end of my 35 years serving here—12-plus of those in the “corner office”—I couldn’t imagine a better way to “sign off” this portion of my kingdom service. Tim will bring an impressive array of gifts to his new role, including an entrepreneurial drive, a digital-native mindset, and an immense intellectual and editorial capacity.

After graduating from Stanford with a double major in philosophy and religious studies, Tim earned an MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary and a PhD in modern Western religious thought at Harvard University. Along the way, he also served in youth ministry, prison chaplaincy, and graduate and faculty ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. All told, Tim’s evangelical faith showcases a passion to make Christ known and a genuine humility that makes Tim the definition of a servant leader.

So yes, God’s timing for Tim is now! And for CT, that means some exciting days ahead. Tim’s vision for CT will slowly be rolled out over the first years of his presidency. But his priorities that give me the greatest satisfaction are racial reconciliation and further expanding CT’s global reach.

Tim and I have worked together closely this past month to help ensure the smoothest transition possible. And throughout this handoff, I have thanked God for his perfect timing and for gracing me as I retire on May 1 with more than three decades of ministry service and a strong sense that CT’s best days are yet to come. To God alone be the glory indeed!

Harold Smith is president and CEO of Christianity Today.

Also in this issue

The May 2019 issue highlights an often-overlooked group in US border communities: binational students. Largely in the country legally, high school and college students in cities like El Paso, Texas, nonetheless feel the amplified tensions surrounding the immigration debate. They often face difficult choices as they try to meet the expectations of two cultures at once, Mexican and American.

Our Latest

News

12 Christian Leaders Who Died in 2024

Remembering Tony Campolo, Jürgen Moltmann, Paul Pressler, and others.

News

20 Stories About a Vibrant Global Church

Mennonites thriving in Paraguay, architecturally stunning church buildings in China, and persistent faith amid Haiti’s pervasive gang violence.

The Bulletin’s Favorite Conversations of 2024

In a tempest-tossed political and cultural season, these episodes anchored us.

Christianity Today’s 10 Most Read Asia Stories of 2024

Tightening restrictions on Indian Christians, the testimony of a president’s daughter, and thoughts on when pastors should retire.

News

13 Stories from the Greater Middle East and Africa From 2024

Covering tragedy, controversy, and culinary signs of hope, here is a chronological survey of Christian news from the region.

CT’s Best Ideas of 2024

A selection of 15 of our most intriguing, delightful, and thought-provoking articles on theology, politics, culture, and more.

Big CT Stories of 2024

Ten of our most-read articles this year.

CT’s Most Memorable Print Pieces from 2024

We hope these articles will delight you anew—whether you thumb through your stack of CT print magazines or revisit each online.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube