LEXINGTON—Ron Edmondson, lead pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington for the past six years, has been selected as the sixth president and CEO of Leadership Network, a Dallas-based, interdenominational organization that provides leadership development for pastors. He will begin his new duties in June.

Edmondson, a former planter of two churches, has led Immanuel through a revitalization period to appear among the 100 fastest growing churches, according to Outreach magazine. Drawing upon his 35 years of leadership experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and his 15 years of ministry experience, Edmondson writes a popular blog on leadership, church and family life.

He also founded Mustard Seed Ministry, which provides devotional resources, conducts family, marriage and parenting, and church leadership seminars.

In announcing the appointment, John Stanley, chairman of the Leadership Network Board, said, “The Board is delighted with such an able, visionary and connected leader like Ron to take the helm at Leadership Network and fulfill this important work.”

While he and his wife Cheryl are sad to leave friendships at Immanuel, Edmondson told outgoing CEO Dave Travis, “Leadership Network is an organization I have long loved and felt passionate about their mission. I have participated and benefitted from Leadership Network. I never dreamed I would have an opportunity to play such a role in its future, but I feel my whole career has shaped me for this.

“When the chance presented itself,” he added, we were both fully convinced this was something God was shaping in our future.”

Author of “The Mythical Leader,” in Leadership Network’s NEXT book series, Edmondson is completing doctoral work at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. He received a master’s degree in counseling from Luther Rice Seminary and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Eastern University. (WR)