Dallas Megachurch pastor Tony Evans is “stepping away from” his pastoral duties and “submitting to a healing and restoration process” due to an undisclosed sin he committed years ago, he has revealed in a public statement.
“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives,” Evans wrote in a statement shared on Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship’s website, as reported June 10 by the Religion News Service.
In the statement, he said that when Christians fail to adhere to that standard because of sin, repentance and restoration with God are required.
“A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard,” he said. “I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others.”
Evans said he confessed his sin to his family, new wife, and church elders and found them gracious in their responses.
“While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.”
Evans, 74, has been leading Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship as senior pastor for more than 40 years and also reaches numerous believers through his Ubran Alternative ministry.
The church website offered a second, shorter statement about its future direction as Evans was removed from leadership. The statement revealed that “Pastor Bobby Gibson and the elders will provide more information regarding interim leadership and the next steps for the future of our church.”
Evans, whose children include Priscilla Shirer and Anthony Evans, closed out his public statement by encouraging the church to remember that they “serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man.”
“I have never loved you more than I love you right now, and I’m trusting God to walk me through this valley,” he said in the statement. “Thank you for your love, prayers, support, and forgiveness as I continue my spiritual healing journey. As we walk this journey together, keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Evans’ full statement appears below.
Dr. Evans’s Statement to the Church on June 9, 2024
It has been my glorious joy and privilege to serve as your senior pastor over these last 48 years. I praise God for giving me the opportunity to witness his hand of power and blessing that took 10 people in a house and brought us to where we are today. This journey has been filled with a multitude of joys and sorrows, successes and failures, mountains and valleys, but God has always been there to see us through. None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my family, our great team of leaders, staff, and kingdom servants who have supported me throughout the years.
The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God. A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me. While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.
During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever. Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man. Pastor Gibson and our leadership will keep you informed on how things will continue moving forward with the ministry. During this season, I will be a worshiper like you and look forward to seeing all that God is going to continue doing to make his name great as we continue to build kingdom disciples, who function as kingdom servants, in order to make a kingdom impact as He advances His kingdom agenda at OCBF. I have never loved you more than I love you right now, and I’m trusting God to walk me through this valley. Thank you for your love, prayers, support, and forgiveness as I continue my spiritual healing journey. As we walk this journey together, keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.