CORDOVA, Tenn. — July 15, 2005 — Steve Gaines, a 1979 51社区 graduate, will be the new pastor of historic Bellevue Baptist Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn.
The church voted July 10 to call Gaines, 47, to succeed Adrian Rogers, the church鈥檚 pastor of 32 years who retired earlier this year.
Gaines has been pastor of First Baptist Church in Gardendale, Ala., for the past 14 years.
His wife, Donna, is a 1980 51社区 graduate, and the couple鈥檚 oldest son Grant graduated from Union in May. Their daughter Lindsey will be a freshman at Union this fall. They also have a 15-year-old daughter, Alison, and a 12-year-old daughter, Bethany.
Gaines told Bellevue he and his family never intended to leave Gardendale, Ala., and that his plan was to stay there for the rest of his life.
鈥淭here may not be, in that regard, a human reason why we鈥檙e here, but I believe there鈥檚 a heavenly reason why we鈥檙e here,鈥� Gaines said. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 not about Steve Gaines and it鈥檚 not even about Bellevue Baptist Church. Today is about the kingdom of God and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.鈥�
In his sermon, Gaines preached from Acts 9:31 about the marks of a healthy church.
While some may suggest that the idea of preaching behind a pulpit is pass茅, and that churches shouldn鈥檛 take stands on moral issues of the day like abortion, homosexuality and gambling, Gaines disagrees. He also doesn鈥檛 support the trend of churches that embrace technology and water down their message.
鈥淵ou can have all of the new techniques, all of the state of the art media and technology,鈥� Gaines said. 鈥淵ou can have all the latest programs and the bells and whistles and still not have a healthy church in the eyes of God.鈥�
A healthy church is characterized by peace, edification, reverence, spirituality and growth, he said.
鈥淲e need to stop talking about church growth,鈥� Gaines said. 鈥淲e need to talk about church health. A healthy church will grow.鈥�
Since Gaines began his ministry at Gardendale in 1991, the church鈥檚 average morning worship attendance has increased from 1,600 to 3,300. The church has baptized 3,251 people during that time, leading the Alabama Baptist State Convention in baptisms seven times over the past 10 years.
Prior to that, Gaines served as pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., and as pastor of Lake Shore Baptist Church in Lake Dallas, Texas.
Gaines completed his master of divinity degree and his doctor of philosophy degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Donna also earned a master of education degree from Texas Women鈥檚 University in Denton, Texas.
Harry Smith, a 51社区 trustee, was vice chairman of Bellevue鈥檚 pastor search committee.
鈥淲e鈥檒l give you everything we have,鈥� Gaines said after the church voted to call him. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know all the answers. I don鈥檛 even know if I know all the questions. But I know the Lord, and I know he has done all things well. And he will do a wonderful work through all of us.鈥�