Bellevue Baptist pastor Steve Gaines says he’s stepping down

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church since 2005, announced he is stepping down from the leadership role at the Memphis megachurch.

“The Bible says there’s an appointed time for everything,” Gaines said in a statement to the church Sunday. “Nineteen years ago, the Lord began a season for us here at Bellevue, and now we’ve heard his voice. It’s time for a new season.”

Gaines said he is not retiring from ministry but will transition from the pastor’s role. A team is forming to search for a new pastor.

He said there was no timeframe for the transition, and he will continue as pastor until his replacement arrives and “the baton is passed.”

Gaines, 66, said he was diagnosed with cancer 10 months ago, but says treatments are going well, and his retirement is not connected to the diagnosis.

He and his wife will remain in Bellevue after he steps down.

“We have no intention of leaving Bellevue. This is home,” Gaines said.

Bellevue Baptist was founded in 1903 and moved to its current Cordova campus, with a sanctuary that seats 7,000, in 1989.

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