Dr. Tony Evans Restored But Will Not Be Senior Pastor
The Christian leader's return was celebrated by the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship congregation more than a year after he stepped down due to unspecified past "sin."
After spending more than a year away from the pulpit at the church he founded over four decades ago, Dr. Tony Evans was officially restored to public ministry during an emotional “Restoration Sunday” service held on October 5 at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
Evans had stepped down from his role as senior pastor in June 2024, following his public disclosure of a past moral failing. In a statement at the time, he announced that he would be temporarily stepping away from all ministry responsibilities in order to “submit to a healing and restoration process.”
Although Evans has now been restored to good standing, the church’s elder board announced that he will not return to his former position as senior pastor, nor will he assume any official ministry leadership roles. Instead, his son, Jonathan Evans — who had been serving as an associate pastor — has been appointed an elder and is expected to eventually succeed his father as senior pastor of the predominantly Black congregation. During Evans’ absence, Jonathan took on increased responsibilities within the church.
The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship congregation responded with visible joy during the restoration service, as captured in the livestream video of the event. The moment marked both a spiritual milestone for Evans and a significant transition in leadership for the church community he founded more than 40 years ago.