By Grace Thornton
The Baptist Paper
Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, reported major improvements with his cancer in a video posted March 1.
In November 2023, Gaines shared with his congregation that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer, then in December shared that the cancer had spread to his lungs.
But March 1 he shared that the cancer polyps in his lungs and the cancer in his rib were gone, according to his latest PET scan. The cancer in his kidney has also “gone down significantly,” said the former Southern Baptist Convention president.
“So I still have cancer, but it’s really, really going away, and I’m grateful to God for a miracle and medicine,” Gaines said, noting that “the Lord has done a great thing in our lives, and we are glad.”
Prayer request
He shared one prayer request — for his myasthenia gravis, a severe muscular weakness. Gaines said he was first diagnosed with myasthenia gravis 24 years ago, and though it is “not lethal,” it has been reenacted by his cancer treatment.
“So some of my muscles are weak; my neck is where it has primarily hit this time,” he said. “But I just want you to keep praying for that. But that’s more of a nuisance than anything else.”
Gaines said he was looking forward to preaching March 3 after taking time off for treatments, and he expressed gratitude for the six men who had filled the pulpit in his absence.
He said he was also thankful for the church’s support and prayers.
“Donna and I love you, and we’re so grateful for our church family during this time,” Gaines said.
