Published on September 28, 2024, 12:40 am

The senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Steve Gaines, revealed his future role as an itinerant preacher. Gaines communicated this transformation to his congregation during a fervent sermon recently. His decision closely follows the public announcement in November 2023 about his health complications arising from kidney cancer metastasis into his lungs.

However, Gaines assured the congregation that the shift in his calling wasn’t related to his illness but is simply a long-anticipated progression of his spiritual journey. He disclosed that God had spoken to him and his wife Donna four decades ago about this transition, confirming that the time was now right.

During Gaines’s tenure as president from 2016, he navigated the Southern Baptist Convention through some choppy waters of identity politics and race-relations controversies. Despite these challenges, Gaines remained a steadfast proponent for Christian principles based on love and acceptance. His teachings also veered towards charismatic Word of Faith with elements such as “name it and claim it” doctrines and healing services.

Reflecting on his nineteen years at Bellevue, Gaines expressed profound gratitude towards the church community for their unwavering support over two decades characterized by growth and dynamic evolution since being called by Christ to Memphis. He acknowledged Bellevue’s significant spiritual legacy dating back to 1903 and esteemed it profoundly to be part of God’s ongoing work there.

In retrospect, Gaines has shepherded four churches over forty-one years. This impressive pastoral record marries authenticity with audacity speaking true to what he heard from God many years ago that he would eventually serve as an itinerant preacher – preaching across varying congregations instead of just one church.

As breaking news continues to unfold each day both within the realm of real news or trusted news outlets; stories like those involving Steve Gaines highlight how personal stories can interweave with larger spiritual narratives defined by shifts in religious leadership built upon a firm Christian worldview.