Steve Gaines, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 68.
Gaines had been placed in hospice care earlier this month as his condition worsened after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023.
A prominent figure in Southern Baptist life, Gaines served as president of the SBC from 2016 to 2018 and pastored Bellevue Baptist Church—one of the denomination’s most influential congregations—for nearly two decades after succeeding Adrian Rogers in 2005.
In 2024, Gaines announced he would transition out of the senior pastor role to pursue itinerant preaching, though he remained closely connected to the church and broader SBC ministry.
Known for his conservative theology, emphasis on evangelism, and traditional Baptist preaching style, Gaines was widely respected within the convention and played a visible role in denominational leadership during a pivotal era.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their children.
