This article was first published by Baptist Press.
CORDOVA, Tenn. (BP) – Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and former SBC president, has begun a transition out of the pastorate, he announced Sunday (Sept. 22).
Gaines has served at Bellevue since 2005, when he took on the role a few months after the retirement of Adrian Rogers. Bellevue is Gaines’ fourth pastorate. He served as SBC president from 2016-2018.
In a letter to his congregation, Gaines announced plans to begin an itinerant preaching ministry, saying this has been a calling on his heart for a long time.
“The Bible says, ‘There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1),” he wrote. “Nineteen years ago, the Lord began a season for us at Bellevue, and now we have heard His voice that it is time for a new season.”
Gaines said he and his wife Donna felt no pressure to make such a decision. She joined him at the pulpit Sunday morning as he read the letter aloud to the congregation.
“Donna and I began talking about it a couple of years ago, and we agree that this is the right time,” he wrote.
He added that the move is not related to his health challenges. Gaines was diagnosed with kidney cancer late last year.
“My treatments are going well, and I even received a good report last week on my latest PET scan,” he said. “But regardless of what tests show, I firmly believe the word the Lord has given me that ‘I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.’ (Psalm 118:17).”
Gaines said he and Donna plan to remain members of Bellevue, though his new ministry will likely include much travel.
He has already begun meeting with a transition team that, along with others, will form a search committee to find his replacement. He urged Bellevue members to pray every day for the search team.
He plans to stay until after his successor is named.
“Once our next pastor arrives, he and I will begin a several-month process of transition as we ‘pass the baton,’” he said.
“… My race as Senior Pastor of Bellevue is coming to an end, but my commitment to you is to keep running with all my strength and effectively hand the baton to the next Senior Pastor.”
Gaines, 66, also said he is looking forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren.
“The greatest days for Bellevue Baptist Church are yet to come,” he wrote in closing his letter. “I am looking forward to experiencing them with you. God bless you all.”