In a deeply candid conversation with Lecrae, Dr. Tony Evans opened up about his decades in ministry, the intense spiritual warfare that has marked his journey and the recent transition of leadership to his son, Pastor Jonathan Evans.
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Evans, founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, said that spiritual warfare often comes not only from the outside world but from within the church itself.
“When you’re developing the church,” he explained, “you get people who have their own independent ideas and they want your platform without supporting your vision.” At times, he said, this can lead to betrayal and division, “because they want the environment but they’re really working for the other side.”
In addition to internal battles, Evans described the increasing hostility from a secular culture that rejects biblical truth.
“When you come out against certain lifestyles or the definition of marriage or the meaning of life or the defining of gender… that is going to bring public rejection of your worldview,” he said. “No matter how lovingly you present it.”
For Evans, these moments are not merely cultural disagreements but spiritual ones—“warfare issues” that require believers “to keep God’s name great while trying to protect yourself or your loved ones in the midst of that.”
Evans also reflected on his decision to transition leadership of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship to his son, Jonathan Evans—a process that had been years in the making. While recent narratives and speculation have surfaced around the internet, Evans says, “It wasn’t like it came out of nowhere,” he said. “We had meetings about it. It was even bigger than my son—it was about how our church would move to the next generation.”
He recalled how Jonathan’s calling became evident over time: “When Jonathan graduated from college, he went to the NFL for a few years. His Christian witness was very clear… they would be asking him to lead chapels. Then he decided after football to go to seminary—we didn’t push him to go, he decided.”
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As Jonathan’s ministry matured, Evans said he saw God’s hand guiding the process. “We decided to put a preliminary plan in place in case this is what God wants,” he said. “As circumstances took place and I had to back away quicker than I originally planned, I saw that God had already moved things in this direction that has now been embraced by the church.”
Through seasons of warfare, loss, and transition, Evans’ message remains steadfast: when life’s battles fall outside of our control, they are still “inside of His.” His story is a reminder to the church and believers everywhere: truth, courage and faith will always outlast the lies, and God’s purposes will prevail even when the world seems determined to do otherwise.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
