Multimillionaire megachurch founder who resigned over secret 'sin' returns to work after mysterious 'process'
A millionaire megachurch founder who resigned over a secret unknown 'sin' he committed has returned to his ministry after a mysterious redemption process.
Pastor Tony Evans, 75, claimed he 'successfully completed this restoration journey' as he returned to the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday.
Evans stepped down from the church in June 2024 but never revealed what exactly his moral failure was.
He received a huge standing ovation as he returned to the church's stage over the weekend, CBS News reported.
'As you know, this last year has been an extremely challenging time - a time of being separated from what I love most - the proclamation of God’s word,' Evans said on a video the church posted on YouTube after his return.
'A lot of that was due to my own fault, and I had to go through a period of repentance and restoration so that healing could take place.'
Evans and the church did not specify which steps Evans took to repent for the unknown sin he confessed to last year.
The church clarified that Evans will not be serving or leading the congregation and that his son will now take over as the new lead pastor.
Pastor Tony Evans, 75, returned to the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas on Sunday
Evans started Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in 1976 as a bible study for just 10 people. Now, the church has over 10,000 members and 100 different ministries
Evans, a former chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks, married Dr Carla Crummie in 2023
'Dr. Evans acknowledged in a public statement falling short of God's standard and a need to submit to the church's discipline and restoration process,' said Wheel, the church's associate pastor.
'We are pleased to report that Dr. Evans has fully submitted to the church's discipline and restoration process.'
Evans, a former chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks, married Dr Carla Crummie in 2023.
He was previously married to Lois Evans for 49 years. She died in 2019.
Evans stepped down from his ministry in June, 2024, after 48 years via a written statement to his congregation.
'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,' Evans wrote.
'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,' he wrote in the Sunday message posted to the church's website.
Evans clarified he didn't commit a crime but didn't use 'righteous judgment' in his actions.
Evans was previously married to Lois Evans for 49 years and they had two sons and a daughter. She died in 2019
Evans and the church did not specify which steps Evans took to repent from the unknown sin he confessed to last year
President George W. Bush listens to applause with Pastor Tony Evans at the dedication of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship's Youth Education Center, October 29, 2003 in Dallas, Texas
A statement shared by the church itself said the decision to sideline its most popular preacher 'was made after tremendous prayer and multiple meetings with Dr. Evans and the church elders.'
'Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church,' the statement continued.
Evans started Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in 1976 as a bible study for just 10 people. Now, the church has over 10,000 members and 100 different ministries targeted at adults, youth, singles and couples.
The pastor also had a popular daily radio show featuring snippets of his energetic sermons called 'The Alternative,' which aired on over 1,400 stations in more than 130 countries.
