With much fanfare, Tony Evans’ son was installed as the lead pastor of his father’s Dallas megachurch this past Sunday. Jonathan Evans, an author and former NFL fullback, will now take the helm of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and lead its 10,000 members.
Jonathan Evans’ installment follows two months after elders at the church, also known as OCBF, restored Tony Evans to ministry. The former lead pastor stepped down from leading OCBF due to an undisclosed “sin” he first announced in June 2024. He said he committed a sin many years ago that wasn’t criminal but lacked “righteous judgment in my actions.”
Evans nor any of the leaders from the church ever clarified what the sin was. The Roys Report(TRR) posted a podcast on the matter on Oct. 15.
Despite his public restoration, Evans, 75, chose not to return as the lead pastor. Evans is also notably the first African American to have both a study Bible and a full-Bible commentary bearing his name.
His son will now be the second lead pastor in the church’s history, according to KVTV-Ch. 11,the CBS affiliate for Dallas- Fort Worth. The senior Evans founded OCBF nearly 50 years ago.
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Tony Evans said Sunday that he believes God has “still got something for Tony Evans down the line that I ain’t seeing yet, ‘cause he still has a purpose for my life and gifts as long as he has me here.”
Comparing to Moses and Joshua
Before Tony Evans passed the reins to his son, he preached.
He said Sunday’s passing down of leadership mirrored how Moses passed down the mantle of leadership to Joshua before the Israelites entered the Promised Land.
“He was there with Moses,” Evans said. “He spent years with Moses. He learned from Moses. He had become Moses’ spiritual son. And the good news, Oak Cliff, today is, I have a son.”
“A son who’s grown up with me, walked with me, talked with me, cried with me, loved me, and served the church of the living God, who’s paid the dues to be in this space.”
Evans said that his son needs to take over so God’s kingdom can keep moving forward. He asked members to support his son and love him as they did their founder.
Jonathan Evans then joined his father on stage, where he received a Bible as a gift.
“This is my father’s Bible. Well worn, used, because he loved God’s Word,” Tony Evans said. “What better thing for a father to give a son that can go to his grandson than the Word of God? So, I gift you my daddy’s Bible. And I love you, and I’m proud of you.”
God called Jonathan, pastor says
Evans’ “beloved friend” Martin Hawkins, who is one of the first associate pastors at the church, came on stage along with the church’s elders. Together, they prayed over and commissioned Jonathan Evans.
Hawkins explained that the elders were on stage because they agreed on this move for the church. “It’s not a one-person thing that he’s passing from a father to a son,” Hawkins said. It’s the elders saying that (Jonathan) has been approved of. That’s significant for us.”
Hawkins repeatedly emphasized that God called Jonathan Evans to this role.
“God called Jonathan. Pastor Evans, as good as he is, I love him, but he didn’t call Jonathan,” Hawkins said. “He isn’t here as a pastor of this church because he’s pastor Evan’s son. He’s here because God appointed and anointed him specially for this job.”
Jonathan says the installation is for the church
During the service, Jonathan Evans thanked everyone who supported him along his journey, including his wife and five children.
The 44-year-old pastor encouraged congregants to continue building up his father’s legacy.
“This is not an installation for one-person installation. It’s an installation for the church, the future, and to go across the Jordan,” Evans said. “It’s time for us all to go tread in the place that God has for us so that we can let this community know there’s a church in the neighborhood.”
Jonathan Evans is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and also works as the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys, according to his website.
He told CBS that his parents didn’t pressure him to pursue ministry, but that “when God comes and gets you, it’s something you can’t run from anymore.”
He said when he looks back, he sees that “God has been there the whole time getting me ready for what he’s calling me to do.”
Evans noted to CBS that his vision for the church going forward is stability amid change.
“Wherever we go, God is supposed to rule that,” he said. “So, we want individuals to grow in their faith. We want families to be stabilized through the church. We want the community to be different.”
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
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14 Responses
I wish Jonathan well.
I do worry, however, about dynastic leadership in churches. I worry also about a pastor’s sins being covered up. This directly contradicts scripture and diminishes the role of God’s grace. Paul calls God, Christ Jesus and the elect angels as witnesses, so we know how important it is.
(1Ti 5:20-21)
But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.
The scripture that comes to mind is mentioned in 3 gospels-2 times in Luke..
17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (Luke 8)
I agree with Andrew Mole! The last few years I have seen several churches where the pastor turns the church over to sons, and I do not agree! It tends to lean to, if not be total despotism to me! The board and members aren’t partners, except after saying it’s ok. I was surprised, witness in me immediately was checked!!
Very well said. As we often see in the Roys Report, vagueness about pastoral sins is the norm, with the rare cases of transparency that are almost refreshing (so to speak).
1 Tim 5 would take care of exactly what happens in these cases like with Tony Evans – speculation and lack of trust. But power and money don’t like transparency.
He “paid the dues to be in this space.” Think about the possible implications of that remark. He worked hard to gain this position of privilege? He knows how to play the game and please the right people? Not exactly Scriptural language for an appointment to service, is it?
I agree with the language, yet understand why it’s said. Unfortunately, people think that when it’s the son of the pastor that they were just “handed” the position solely due to name/lineage without actually doing any work to prepare. While I no longer live in the DFW area, my family does, and Jonathan has been in ministry – both inside and outside of OBCF – for DECADES. He’s not new to this; he’s been taking on bigger ministries and roles over the years since graduating from Baylor (a Christian university). And it’s not a far stretch to think he’s likely been taught by his dad (isn’t that what scripture calls parents to do?).
As I’ve seen Jonathan leverage his experience and platform as a former football player introduce more and more young men – especially young Black men – to Christ, I wish him well.
Family lineages anchored in Biblical ministry and discipleship don’t bother me. Now, I do understand when folks ask questions about a child who hasn’t been seen or heard from suddenly being named as the leader of a church or ministry of ANY size. I’m saying from personal witness and experience that is NOT the case with Jonathan. To know the Evans family and OBCF is to know Jonathan has been prepared for this for years. And that’s not a bad thing.
Marin,
I value your point of view and understanding of scripture.
King David is in the lineage of Christ through his father Jesse. Right?
Do you think someone who says King David’s mother had an affair, should be the lead pastor?
Where idid that come from? It certainly is nowhere in the Bible. It would also mean Jesse wasn’t his father. I suppose it is what someone who is wise in their own eyes, comes up with. Maybe they got it from the internet?
It explained what David meant that he was “born in sin.” What in the world?!
Should someone who doesn’t understand “original sin“ be the lead pastor, or a pastor?
Can “apostates” be saved?
Should someone who teaches that be the lead pastor, or a pastor?
What else do they not know or understand?
If church members are ok with that, or if they don’t even know that that is a problem, maybe they value entertainment, positions, socializing, over truth?
Why does a church need a golf course?
I’m just asking.
Hi Debra – thanks for your response. If I’m understanding correctly, it sounds like you have an issue with Dr Evans’s theology – or is there something else I’m missing? I’ve never heard (or read) anything you posted come from Dr Evans, so I can’t speak to that. I’m trying to connect the dots to Jonathan – has he veered into saying things like that?
A church doesn’t NEED a golf course, or a gym, or a school, or a whole slew of facilities and “ministries” that OBCF (and other mega churches) do. But if a church has the means to build and operate such, with the goal of serving its members and community, what’s the issue?
I say that as someone who has attended churches with thousands of members AND churches with only a few dozen members. Having seen and experienced the pros and cons of both, I don’t think size or facilities or number of ministries of a church automatically makes it good or bad. Churches large and small have met, challenged, convicted and grew me in my walk with Christ at the time, and THAT should be most important. (And yes, I’ve also had churches large and small disappoint and hurt me as well).
Sorry for the delay, but it’s the busy season!
Yes. I have a problem with his theology. He believes someone who lives their life according to their fleshly desires is a Christian, just a “carnal one”. If you never go to work at a company, or get a paycheck from them, you saying you work there means nothing. I believe living a life undistinguishable from a non-believer – means you are not a Christian.
How many have continued in sin because of that teaching? He might be one of them. We don’t know, because we don’t know any details of his sin.
And again, yes. Those statements came from Jonathan himself. What do you think of them?
Doing something doesn’t mean you do it well. A coach who plays his bench warming son, when the game is on the line, cares more about himself than he does about his team, or his job.
“If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.” But serving would expose temperament, and abilities, or lack thereof, so they skip right to “leadership” positions without any impartial evaluation. I don’t think it is fair to them either, because being task with something beyond you is overwhelming.
Who thought they were giving to purchase a golf course, and not to furthering the gospel?
I read an intriguing article entitled: Is your church a country club?
Standing in a garage doesn’t mean you’re a car. Being born to a pastor doesn’t mean you qualify as one either. Going to church doesn’t even mean you actually worship God.
Hi Debra –
No worries on delayed reply; the holiday season is indeed a busy one!
I’ve never heard Jonathan say these things, and having read them for the first time, I’d need clarity: salvation is NOT based on works, but on faith in Christ – including faith that His blood continues to cover us in those moments where we still sin (e.g., are led by the flesh). Moments where believers are led by the flesh don’t rob them of their salvation, but rather point to a place of spiritual immaturity. While I understand the spirit of what you are saying, if we get too legalistic, it can edge us towards a works-based salvation. Works are a manifestation of salvation, not a requirement of it. I’d like to know if THAT is what Jonathan meant?
I agree about the “if serving is beneath you” comment. It’s why I was saying Jonathan has been serving in various ministries in the DFW area for years, so his moving into leadership was not “skipping” as it’s being portrayed.
Are purchasing a golf course (or gym or school) and sharing the gospel mutually exclusive? I don’t golf, but as a former mega-church member, I have no problem with hosting events like a golf tournament that promote fellowship among believers (which plays a key role in introducing some to the gospel).
And I agree that being born to a pastor doesn’t mean you qualify as one. It also doesn’t mean you DON’T qualify as one. People keep pointing to Jonathan’s lineage as reason for him being unqualified; it works both ways.
Debra – In additional to a golf course, OCBF is also the major sponsor of Oak Cliff Christian Federal Credit Union. Why does a church own a credit union? I wonder what else they own?
https://www.occfcu.org/about-us/who-we-are
Amy,
Why? Probably because you can with unchecked and unquestioned power.
It sadly makes me think of Nebuchadnezzar – ”Is not this great, what I have built with my power”.
Pride always precedes the fall.
It’s not a church, but a family business or empire. Gotta keep it in the family, after all.
How to know if your church is a church or a business….