Tony Evans, one of the founding pastors of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, announced to the congregation on June 9, 2024, that he was stepping down from his pastoral duties for a “healing and restoration process.”
“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives,” wrote the leader of the 10,000-member church in a statement. “When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God. A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others.”
Evans and his friend, the Rev. Crawford Loritts, chartered the church in 1976 with 10 members, holding services in the home of Evans and his late wife Lois.
In Evans’ statement, he said he had shared the news of his resignation with his family and church elders.
“While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions,” he wrote. “In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing. During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever.”
He said associate pastor Bobby Gibson and church leadership will keep congregants informed on the next steps for the church.
