Pastor and bestselling author, Dr Tony Evans, has announced that he will step back from leading the 11,000-member megachurch Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship "due to sin".

Dr Evans has led the church in Dallas for 48 years. On Sunday 9th June, he announced at both the church's services that he would become one of the congregation for "a season of spiritual recovery", adding: “remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man". 

In a statement posted to the OCBF website, Dr Evans said: “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.

“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.”

Dr Evans stated that he did not commit any crimes, but that his actions lacked "righteous judgement".

In 2023 Dr Evans married his second wife, Carla, following the death of his wife of 49 years, Lois Evans. He thanked his family for their support, saying: “my wife, my children, and our church elders… have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me".

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship began in the home of Tony and Lois Evans, with a congregation of 10. It describes itself as having "a Kingdom Agenda philosophy", with "over 100 different ministries reaching people both locally and abroad".

Self-styled as "a dynamic model of faith-based social outreach into the public schools and community", OCBF extends to "a premier private Christian school located in the Education Centre; a Fellowship Centre, Outreach Centre and two shopping centres".

Evans is also the founder of Bible ministry The Urban Alternative, as well as the host of radio broadcast, The Alternative with Tony Evans.