Steve Gaines, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has entered hospice care.

Steve Gaines Enters Hospice Care

Steve Gaines, the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has recently been moved to hospice care following his kidney cancer diagnosis announced in 2023. This information was shared with members in a letter that Baptist Press reported on.

Pastor Ben Mandrell of Bellevue Baptist Church expressed, “Steve faithfully served the Lord and led many people over the years. He was a great pastor, leader, and friend. Let us honor him and his family by bringing them before the Lord.”

In a letter to his congregation, Gaines mentioned that he intends to begin transitioning away from pastoral ministry in 2024, clarifying that his decision has nothing to do with his health condition.

Before his time at Bellevue Baptist, Gaines served as pastor at Gardendale First Baptist Church in Alabama.

Last week, the church shared on their Facebook page with heavy hearts the news that Gaines has entered hospice care in his ongoing battle with cancer. They requested no visitors at this time for his family.

Teammates from his past in ministry reflected on his service, noting, “Steve and Donna faithfully served the Lord for 14 years at GFBC. Because of their anointed service, our lives will never be the same! We ask everyone to pray for the entire family, that God surrounds them with His comforting presence and grants them grace and peace.”