Dr. Steve Gaines, a towering figure in the Southern Baptist Convention and the longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, died on Friday, March 20, 2026, following a courageous two-year battle with kidney cancer. He was 68.
Known for his passionate preaching, evangelistic zeal, and denominational leadership, Gaines leaves behind a legacy defined by profound church growth and community-focused ministry. Over a pastoral career spanning more than four decades, he served at the helm of some of the most influential congregations in the American South, ultimately serving as President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from 2016 to 2018.
Early Life & Education
Born on December 31, 1957, in Corinth, Mississippi, and raised in Dyersburg, Tennessee, Steve Gaines demonstrated an early aptitude for both athletics and leadership. He initially attended the University of Tennessee at Martin on a football scholarship. However, sensing a distinct call to ministry, he transferred to Union University in 1977 to pursue theological training. He was licensed to preach that same year and graduated in 1979.
Gaines continued his academic and theological preparation at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned a Master of Divinity in 1984 and later completed his doctorate in preaching and evangelism in 1991. During his time at the seminary, his homiletic and evangelistic skills were recognized with the H.C. Brown Jr. Preaching Award and the W. Fred Swank Evangelism Award, foreshadowing a career defined by powerful pulpit ministry.
Career Zenith & Contributions
Gaines began his formal ministry as a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Milan, Tennessee, and later served as the pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church. His reputation as a dynamic church leader was solidified during his 14-year tenure at Gardendale First Baptist Church in Alabama, from 1991 to 2005. Under his stewardship, the congregation experienced explosive growth, expanding its membership from 4,000 to 8,500, overseeing more than 3,500 baptisms, and increasing its annual budget from $2 million to $9 million.
In 2005, Gaines was called to Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, succeeding the legendary pastor and author Adrian Rogers. Stepping into the pulpit of one of the SBC’s flagship churches, Gaines successfully guided the congregation through a generational transition. During his nearly two decades at Bellevue, he launched “Bellevue Loves Memphis,” a comprehensive community outreach initiative that mobilized thousands of volunteers to serve the city’s under-resourced neighborhoods, effectively bridging the gap between the church and the broader municipal community.
Following his cancer diagnosis in late 2023, Gaines transitioned from his senior pastor role in 2024 to focus on an itinerant preaching ministry and prioritize his health.
Leadership & Affiliations
Beyond the local church, Gaines was a central figure in denominational governance and theological education. He served a two-year term as President of the Southern Baptist Convention (2016–2018), steering the nation’s largest Protestant denomination through critical periods of cultural and internal transition. He also held the presidency of the SBC Pastors’ Conference in 2005 and the Tennessee Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2015.
Recognized for his academic and practical expertise, Gaines was appointed as the Herschel H. Hobbs Visiting Professor of Christian Preaching at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. He was an accomplished author, contributing to the broader discourse on spiritual disciplines and church vitality through books such as Pray Like It Matters (2013) and Revival: When God Comes to Church (2024).
Legacy & Impact
Dr. Gaines’s impact extended far beyond his administrative and pastoral achievements. Randy C. Davis, president and CEO of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, remembered him as “an anointed preacher, a soul winner, and an encourager of pastors,” adding that “Southern Baptists will miss his prophetic voice.”
His battle with kidney cancer, which metastasized to his lungs before a period of temporary remission in early 2024, was met with widespread support from the global faith community. He entered hospice care on March 11, 2026, and passed away shortly after, surrounded by loved ones. The church noted that he had “stepped into eternity” and is now “fully healed in the presence of the Lord.”
Dr. Gaines is survived by his wife of many years, Donna, and their family, who have remained active partners in his lifelong ministry.
Funeral services, entrusted to Brent Taylor Funeral Directors, will be held at Bellevue Baptist Church on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed immediately by a celebration of life service in the Worship Center. The family will hold a private burial as they, alongside a grieving yet grateful denomination, bid farewell to a dedicated shepherd of the faith.