Steve Gaines, the lead pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, has declared his intention to step away from his longstanding role at the Memphis megachurch after nearly two decades. WREG reported that Gaines made this announcement during Sunday's service, expressing that there's "an appointed time for everything" and now is the time for "a new season" for both him and the church.
Gaines, who has been at the helm of the church since 2005, emphasized to his congregation that his decision to step down was not driven by his health, even though he was diagnosed with cancer 10 months ago. According to a statement obtained by The Commercial Appeal, Gaines confirmed that the retirement is not connected to the diagnosis and that the treatments are going well. Following his departure, Gaines plans to transition into an "itinerant preacher" role, a calling he feels has been placed on his heart years prior.
Bellevue Baptist is not just any church; it's a cornerstone of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination. As reported by The Commercial Appeal, Gaines succeeded Adrian Rogers, transforming Bellevue into an influential entity within the religious community. The church boasts a membership of 30,000 and a sanctuary that can hold 7,000 worshippers. During his tenure, Gaines also served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, furthering the church's commitment to fundamentalist principles.
There is no set timetable for Gaines' transition, and he emphasized the importance of a slow and effective handover to his successor. As per Action News 5, Gaines reassured his parishioners that this transition is "the right time" for the church, and he will assist in the search for a new pastor. Despite stepping down, Gaines and his wife will continue to call Bellevue their home church, underscoring their commitment to the community they’ve served for nearly two decades.
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