Pastor Tony Evans | |
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| Born | Anthony Tyrone Evans (1949-09-10)September 10, 1949 (age 75) Baltimore,Maryland, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author, minister |
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Anthony Tyrone Evans Sr. (born September 10, 1949) is an Americanevangelical pastor, speaker, and author. From 1976 to 2024, Evans served as senior pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship inDallas, Texas.
In 1973, at the age of 24, Tony Evans was contacted by a radio show producer from Houston (KHCB). The producer contactedDallas Theological Seminary, where Evans was a junior in the Th.M. program, asking for great preaching content to put on his program for free. One of Evans’ professors recommended him. Recorded in a tiny studio on the seminary campus, Evans spent the next few years faithfully preaching into a microphone for a crowd unseen in Houston.
Nearly a decade later, The Urban Alternative was formed in 1981 when requests for Dr. Evans’ sermons came in so frequently from his Houston and Dallas radio broadcasts that Lois Evans, co-founder of the ministry, began fulfilling orders. Lois Evans used her business skills to organize, develop and expand the outreach and growth of the ministry.
In 1986, Evans was invited to preach at the National Religious Broadcasters annual conference. This drew enormous attention and encouragement to expand the ministry.
Not too long after that appearance at NRB, radio stations began to air Evans' program. Under the leadership of Lois Evans, Senior Vice-President of TUA, the radio ministry grew nationally and internationally. The reach of Evans' preaching now spans the world, with his broadcasts airing on over 1,400 radio outlets and in over 130 countries, reaching millions each week.
Evans earned aBA atCarver College in 1972, aTh.M. in 1976, and aTh.D. atDallas Theological Seminary in 1982.[1]
Evans founded theOak Cliff Bible Fellowship inDallas, Texas, in 1976 with 10 members meeting at his home.[1][2] He also founded The Urban Alternative, a national organization that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. The Urban Alternative radio broadcast,The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard over 1,400 outlets daily throughout the U.S. and in over 130 countries worldwide.
Evans has served as chaplain for theNFL'sDallas Cowboys and is a formerNBA chaplain with theDallas Mavericks.
He taught evangelism, homiletics, and black church studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, and serves on its Board of Incorporate Members.[3]
Evans was named one of the 12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World by Baylor University.[4]
In 2017, Evans launched the Tony Evans Training Center, an online learning platform providing seminary-style courses to equip Christian leaders who cannot attend a seminary.
Evans holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. He is also the author of over 100 books, includingOneness Embraced,The Kingdom Agenda,Kingdom Man,The Tony Evans Study Bible, andThe Tony Evans Bible Commentary.
In June 2024, Evans resigned as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship due to an unnamedsin he committed many years ago.[5]
Evans was married to Lois Irene Evans until her death in 2019. Their marriage produced four children: Chrystal,Priscilla,[6]Anthony Jr., andJonathan. They also have 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
His oldest child, Chrystal Hurst, is a worship leader, Christian speaker, and writer. She co-authored the bookKingdom Woman with her father.[7] She has also written books titledShe's Still There andShow Up For Your Life.
His daughterPriscilla Shirer is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, Christian speaker, and founder of Going Beyond Ministries.[8]
His sonAnthony Jr. is a contemporary-Christian musical artist. He has collaborated withGrammy Award-winning singerKirk Franklin and was a contestant on season two ofThe Voice.[citation needed]
Evans' sonJonathan was a professionalfootball player in theNational Football League. He playedfullback for theBuffalo Bills, theWashington Redskins, and theDallas Cowboys. Jonathan is the current chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys.[9]
Evans is a registeredRepublican in Texas. In 2012, he publicly criticized President Barack Obama for his support of same-sex marriage.
In September 2023, Evans, along with his children, announced his engagement to Carla Crummie. Later that year, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship formally announced their marriage.[10]
In June 2024, Evans announced he was stepping back from his ministry due to sin he committed years ago.[5] The announcement was made on the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship church website and during their usual Sunday services.
