Former Southern Baptist president enters hospice care at 68

Steve Gaines, a former Southern Baptist Convention president and longtime pastor, has been placed in hospice care as he continues his battle with kidney cancer, his church and Baptist Press reported.

Steve Gaines, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and longtime pastor, has been placed in hospice care, a letter to members reported by Baptist Press. He disclosed a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2023 while serving at Bellevue Baptist Church in Tennessee. A recent church post said the family has requested no visitors. Known details: - Steve Gaines has been placed in hospice care, according to a letter to members reported by Baptist Press. - He disclosed a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2023 while serving as pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Tennessee. - A church post said the family requested no visitors as he continues his battle with cancer. - Gaines served as Southern Baptist Convention president (first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2017) and had announced a transition out of the pastorate in 2024. Summary: Church leaders and congregations have posted messages reflecting on Gaines's years of ministry and asking for prayer and privacy. Undetermined at this time.