WHEATON, Ill., October 2, 2026—Celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding, Christianity Today announced a new editorial leadership team to bring together the full scope of its various media platforms. The announcement comes at the conclusion of The One Kingdom Campaign and launches the ministry forward into a new season of coming alongside the church.
CT president and chief executive officer Nicole Martin announced the appointment of Erik Petrik as chief content officer and incoming editor in chief. Petrik, who previously served as chief creative officer at CT since 2020, is the founder of CT Media, where he executive produced CT’s acclaimed podcast series The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. Petrik’s stint at CT has also included developing other popular podcast programs, including The Bulletin, Be Afraid, Wonderology, Being Human, and more; leading CT’s award-winning visual rebrand; and expanding the organization’s work across print, digital, audio, and video.
Petrik’s background spans journalism, film, pastoral ministry, and entrepreneurship. Study at Dallas Theological Seminary under evangelical stalwarts like Howard Hendricks and Darrell Bock informed his time as an ordained clergyman. Later at DTS, he helped pioneer spiritual formation as a field of study. Petrik has written, produced, and directed thousands of creative projects and is one of the founders of bulb Digital Portfolios, providing multimedia digital portfolios for the education market. He and his wife, Kelli, live in Colorado and have five adult children.
“With a media landscape dramatically changed over the last decade and promising more changes ahead, it was hard to imagine that we could find a leader with expertise in print, film, podcasts, church engagement, and art direction. But that’s what God has given us in Erik Petrik,” Martin said.
This transition follows the leadership of Marvin Olasky as editor in chief. Olasky, who stepped out of a previous retirement to serve the ministry at a crucial season of transition, will retire from CT in mid-October.
“When we asked Marvin to help as editor in chief last year, I was hoping he would give us at least six months of his one-of-a-kind expertise,” Martin said. “I was overjoyed that he instead gave us eighteen and that he accomplished so much in that time.”
During Olasky’s tenure, CT marked its 70th anniversary with a special commemorative issue, renewed its Declaration of Principles, expanded coverage of the global church, and cultivated a rising generation of writers and editors.
“As impressive as Marvin’s editorial accomplishments at CT are, what may endure even longer is the personal mentoring and guidance he brought to our team,” Martin said. “One of the most accomplished editors in American evangelical history invested in this team, with decades of skilled experience in reporting, writing, and editing.”
Martin expressed excitement about what the new leadership structure represents, “bringing CT’s journalism, audio and video, and creative work into one integrated, editorial vision, building on decades of trusted Christian journalism while preparing CT for the ways audiences will encounter us in the decades to come.”
Martin believes these changes not only anticipate the future but also respect the past, staying true to CT’s founding mission. “In accordance with Billy Graham’s vision to be a ‘flag to follow’ for faithful believers, this season represents a step forward in CT’s mission to join Christian conviction to journalistic excellence and creative imagination for the good of the church,” Martin said. “Erik and the senior editorial team bring complementary gifts at the top of their fields, and they are united by what CT has been trusted to do for 70 years: to help Christians make sense of the world for the glory of Christ and the advance of his kingdom.”
About Christianity Today
Reaching 35 million people across the world annually through acclaimed and award-winning digital and print media, Christianity Today elevates the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God in order to see the church more faithful to Christ and the world more drawn to him. Learn more at christianitytoday.com/about.
