Leighton Ford also names new president as more ministry leaders and ministries seek to discern their ‘truest calling’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Leighton Ford Ministries (LFM) continues to respond to opportunities to walk alongside more leaders and ministries through pivotal seasons of transition and growth, the ministry is announcing new leadership to build for the future. Stephan Tchividjian, the Co-Founder and CEO of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida and the eldest grandchild of evangelist Billy Graham, has joined the LFM board. Rich Hurst, a sought-after church leadership consultant who has served as LFM’s Chief of Staff, has been named President of LFM, effective July 1. And Dave McKechnie, who previously served as LFM’s President, was just elected as Board Chair.
“I have incredible respect for the legacy of LFM, particularly as it’s always thinking about the future,” said Tchividjian. “It’s thinking about the next generation. How do we mentor tomorrow’s pastors, tomorrow’s ministry leaders? It’s not a stagnant ministry. And that’s what I’ve always loved about it.”
McKechnie, who served as Senior Pastor for years in one of the nation’s largest Presbyterian congregations, says, “The future is bright for LFM. We are positioned to make tremendous positive impact for leaders and ministries in the 21st century both in North America and globally. LFM is in good hands for years to come.”
For forty years, LFM has been providing an arm around the shoulder for ministry leaders. Walking alongside leaders and ministries through pivotal seasons of transition and growth, they’ve witnessed God move as leaders traded burnout for joy and disorientation for clarity.
What Inspired LFM
Leighton Ford served for 31 years as an associate evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and later served as Chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and eventually Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the Lausanne Movement. Forty years ago, he sensed God preparing him for a different season, one of investing in the lives of ministry leaders around the world.
Leighton Ford remembers, “On a cold January night in 1949 the not yet famous Billy Graham came to speak at a youth rally I was leading in my home town in Canada. We expected great results. They were meager. Seeing how disappointed I was, Billy put an arm around my shoulder, prayed for me and said, ‘If you stay humble, I believe God will use you.’
“I’ve never forgotten that arm around my shoulder. For the last 40 years Leighton Ford Ministries has sought to mentor and encourage men and women leaders around the world – missionaries, evangelist, pastors, organizational leaders – in their callings. Now, led by my son Kevin and his gifted team, LFM continues to serve leaders around the world who have a heart’s desire to Live Called.”
That’s what Leighton Ford Ministries has always been about, the younger Ford clarifies. “It’s never been specifically about Leighton’s arm, or Billy’s arm, or any one leader. It’s always been about a movement – God working through the ministry to equip and strengthen others.”
Looking to the Future
Since coming alongside his dad in 2019 as Chief Catalyst and now serving as CEO of LFM, Kevin has led the formation of a team that has significantly grown the ministry to help build healthy leaders and thriving ministries across the globe, including Rich Hurst, who now moves into the role of President. “Rich brings decades of experience as a pastor, church leadership consultant, and an author and editor for a variety of publishers. His heart for ministry leaders and key insights into shepherding the church prove invaluable to our work,” Ford said.
LFM continues helping leaders and ministries to LiveCalled, describing the journey of finding one’s truest calling. This initiative is a response to a 2025 Barna report that pastoral flourishing remains uneven and fragile, revealing hidden vulnerabilities, especially in relational health and support systems. LFM’s LiveCalled provides a framework for spiritual mentoring, coaching, and discernment aimed at helping pastors, evangelists, Christian leaders, and ministries move from pressure and fatigue toward renewed calling and joy. As LFM invites leaders and their ministries into sacred spaces to hear God’s voice, rediscover direction, and move forward, it continues strengthening its own internal systems for sustained impact.
New board member Tchividjian reflects on the ministry’s history and future: “I’ve had the opportunity to observe from afar, Leighton Ford Ministries, always having great respect for my uncle Leighton and my aunt Jean and for the legacy of the ministry. As the years have gone by, I’ve drawn closer to the ministry, particularly with my cousin Kevin Ford. And we’ve actually collaborated on some projects together.
“So often when we build these ministries, these nonprofits, it’s around a person. And then the question is, ‘Well, what happens when that person is gone?’ Same thing happened with my grandfather. What happens when Billy Graham passes? Well, the ministry continues to grow on strong. Leighton Ford Ministries continues to be strong.”
About Leighton Ford Ministries
Leighton Ford Ministries helps leaders and ministries reconnect with their truest calling through spiritual mentoring, coaching and consulting. Founded in 1986 by evangelist Leighton Ford, the ministry has spent more than four decades walking alongside leaders and churches in pivotal seasons of ministry, inviting them into sacred space to hear God’s voice, clarify direction and move forward with courage, joy and lasting Kingdom impact. Through the LiveCalled journey, LFM continues to guide leaders and ministries toward clarity and faithful leadership. See more at lfmconnect.org.
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Contact:
Melany Ethridge
A. Larry Ross & Associates
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