Jonathan Evans Addresses Congregation After Dr. Tony Evans Steps Back from Ministry

Jonathan Evans addresses the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship about his father, Dr. Tony Evans, stepping back from ministry due to past sin and reveals what his dad said to his children regarding the decision and announcement.

BY CARRIE WALKER // EEW MAGAZINE ONLINE

Dr. Tony Evans (L) requested that his son Rev. Jonathan Evans (R) preach the Father’s Day sermon at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship while the elder Evans takes time for restoration from undisclosed sin. (EEW Magazine)

Rev. Jonathan Evans delivered the Father's Day sermon at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, stepping in for his father, Dr. Tony Evans, who recently announced he is stepping back from ministry due to an unspecified sin committed years ago, as previously reported by EEW Magazine.

Jonathan Evans, an associate pastor at the Dallas-based church, oversees youth ministries and supports the senior pastor. His sermon offered additional insight and perspective on his father's surprising announcement.

"Three days before my dad called the family, I was doing a Bible study in Psalm 46," the 42-year-old former Dallas Cowboys fullback told the congregation.

"Little did I know that three days later, my dad would call us and tell us the exact same thing he told you—no more, no less—and then, on Monday, he said, 'Hey, I need you to preach Father's Day for me.' I said, 'Okay.'"

Dr. Tony Evans and Rev. Jonathan Evans (Credit: Jonathan Evans/Facebook)

Jonathan's revelation that family members are not privy to the details of the past sin that temporarily sidelined the 74-year-old leader's ministry may come as a shock. Many have speculated about a possible coverup by family and ministry insiders, but this appears not to be the case, at least regarding the family's knowledge.

In defense of his father's controversial, nonspecific semi-confession, Jonathan cited 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Apostle Paul writes, "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell on me."

From that, Jonathan emphasized, "You have to be willing to boast about your weakness. That's why my father is still teaching me, who can get up and say, 'Hey, I'm going to take time for spiritual restoration and be restored, because I fell short.' That's a hard thing to do because people don't like talking about weaknesses. They only like talking about strengths." The audience applauded.

All the talk about the pastor's weakness, however, has led to distress and worry among some of Tony Evans' followers. To this, Jonathan responded, "You don't have to be an emotional wreck," but instead, one can "be still" and trust God.

Those who are panicking, he said, "They're not able to say, 'Hey man, we heard the announcement. We're praying. But I know God's going to work it out, so we're going to keep going. We're going to do what God has called us to do. We're going to celebrate on the return. We already won.'"

Though perhaps winning spiritually, Tony Evans' unidentified weakness is causing him and his family to lose opportunities.

A Mexican Riviera cruise featuring Dr. Tony Evans and two of his adult children, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Anthony Evans Jr., scheduled for Nov. 9-16, has been canceled. Bookings, starting at $1,198 per person, promoted the cruise as a "fantastic voyage filled with God's Word, God's people, and God's glorious creation."

Tony Evans, the founder of the Christian Bible teaching ministry The Urban Alternative, has led his 11,000-member Oak Cliff congregation for nearly 50 years and is widely known for his radio broadcast, "The Alternative with Tony Evans," aired nationally. News of his transgression sent shockwaves throughout the Christian community and drew headlines nationwide.

Despite the speculation and unrest resulting from the news, Jonathan Evans urged congregants to face this situation and other trials calmly with faith.

Don't "flip out in your circumstances," he said, adding, "We've got to get back to trusting that God has already worked it out" and has it "all under control."

Watch his Jonathan Evans’ full sermon below.