I was thinking about Steve Gaines today and the conflict he navigated in his first few years of ministry as the pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church.
His life and ministry eventually vindicated him, but in his first year at Bellevue Baptist Church, he faced a ministry crisis that threatened to get him fired and stain Bellevue’s name. In my view, it caused untold damage to the Kingdom, and I believe some people will have to give an account for their actions when they stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment. I wonder how many people wiped their hands clean of Christianity and the Gospel because of what happened in those years.
Most people don’t know the story. It’s helpful to remember events like this so that we are careful not to let them happen in our own churches.
For me, the story began in the summer of 1996. I was the Assistant to the Military Minister at Bellevue Baptist Church. In that role, among other things, I sat with sailors and Marines in the front two rows of the sanctuary as Pastor Adrian Rogers preached the Sunday morning sermons in the second service.
Pastor Rogers had periodic obligations outside Bellevue and had well-earned vacation days, so he sometimes invited other men to preach in his place. On August 4, 1996, he invited a pastor from Alabama to bring the morning sermons. That pastor was Steve Gaines.
I remember when Steve Gaines preached that morning. He had a heart for the Lord, holiness, revival, and evangelism that was so powerful that it was contagious. And as Pastor Rogers invited Steve to preach at Bellevue on other occasions, it seemed obvious to me that he was giving a not-so-subtle hint at who he wanted to follow him as Bellevue’s pastor.
Soon, I would be leaving Bellevue to marry my Sweetheart and begin our new life in Lexington, Kentucky.
Even though I moved back to Kentucky to enjoy married life, I continued to observe Bellevue from a distance. In my short time there, I felt like a part of me that I didn’t even know existed came alive. I couldn’t help but desire that Bellevue continue to thrive, proclaim the glory of the Lord, exert its influence for good in its community, and make disciples.
Pastor Rogers continued to lead Bellevue Baptist Church for another 8 years before retiring on March 6, 2005. A little over four months later, Steve Gaines was called as pastor of Bellevue on July 10, 2005.
As Pastor Steve Gaines began his ministry, Pastor Adrian Rogers wanted Bellevue to see a powerful picture that might alleviate any upcoming conflict. Pastor Rogers wanted Bellevue to see the church’s beloved pastor humbling himself at the feet of the next pastor. Pastor Rogers washed Pastor Steve’s feet.
Everyone knew it would be difficult for Pastor Steve to follow the 32-year ministry of Adrian Rogers. Few suspected just how difficult it would be.
About a year into Pastor Steve’s ministry, Baptist Press ran an article about what was unfolding at Bellevue. The article was titled: “Bellevue conflict bleeds onto Internet, into public square”. I had also become aware of a website that had a growing list of “trash” (savingbellevue.com). Multiple allegations were made against the pastor with links to articles and even secret recordings from meetings with staff members. And it was all out in the open for public consumption.
My blood was beginning to boil. I didn’t believe the allegations made against Pastor Steve. I was also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that if he had engaged in any of what was alleged, he had a good reason for doing it. I believed him to be a man of integrity and worthy of trust. People were destroying the church, its impeccable name, the Kingdom, the Gospel, and so much more as they slandered the pastor.
A verse that came to mind was Romans 2:24. I can imagine the Apostle Paul, eyes bulging and red-faced, as he said it.
In one of the many Sunday evening meetings, in an attempt to mitigate the damage to the church from public and reckless slander, one of the leaders of Bellevue addressed the church and asked that people stop the slander and vitriol. It was crushing Pastor Steve (a man can only take so much). I remember being shocked at how much weight he lost during that time and imagining how much stress he was unnecessarily experiencing.
As time passed and transparency grew, he owned up to the lapses in judgment. From what I observed, the things he had to apologize for did not call his integrity into question, only his lack of good judgment at the time. But the rest of the allegations that some people made against him were eventually seen to be false.
While the criticism never completely stopped (pastors know that there will ALWAYS be critics), it eventually settled down. Pastor Gaines successfully shepherded the church through the conflict and settled into a very fruitful ministry until he retired from his role as Bellevue’s pastor in October 2024. He led Bellevue Baptist Church for 19 years.
In November 2023, Steve Gaines announced publicly that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer. He retired as Bellevue’s pastor the following October (2024). He went to be with his Lord on March 20, 2026.
That story reminds me of a few things.
- There will always be critics. If God desires to do an incredible work, Satan will do everything he can to destroy it, even if it means using God’s own children to torpedo it (see Matthew 16:22-23).
- Some critics are not right in HOW they express their sentiments, but there is an element of truth if WHAT they express. It is a humble Christian who gets past the misbehavior to consider if some of what is being said requires repentance and change.
- Criticism isn’t always sinful. It can be thoroughly biblical and Christlike (read “What does the Bible say about criticism?”)
- If we successfully navigate criticism, there may be many, many years of fruitful ministry that follow.
“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Matt’s Musings 