A well-known pastor in Tennessee, who leads one of the largest churches in the state and previously served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has recently entered hospice care.
Steve Gaines, the former pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, is currently receiving hospice care following a battle with cancer, as communicated in a letter by the church’s current pastor, Ben Mandrell. The family is asking for prayers during this challenging time.
Gaines served as pastor from 2005 to 2025 and held the president position of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2016 to 2018. He shared in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Mandrell mentioned that the Gaines family is requesting prayer support, indicating, “Join us in faithful prayers for Steve, Donna, and their entire family, that the Lord will surround them with peace, comfort, and strength.” Gaines is 68 years old and has contributed to several books, including Share Jesus Like It Matters and Please Pray Like It’s Important.
Mandrell expressed that Gaines has faithfully served the Lord and has had a significant impact on many lives. He added, “Let us honor him and his family by bringing them before the Lord.”
Initially diagnosed with kidney cancer in the fall of 2023, Gaines later indicated that the cancer had metastasized to his lungs. He started chemotherapy and was under treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a renowned facility.
In 2024, Gaines reported an improvement in his health after undergoing treatments that considerably reduced the cancer’s size. Later that September, he announced a transition from his pastoral role to pursue a new itinerant ministry. He continued until Mandrell was appointed as the new pastor.
Gaines delivered his last regular sermon at Bellevue in September.
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