Carson-Newman University presents Gaines with Ken Sparks Award, honors life of ministry

Carson-Newman University presented the 2024 Ken Sparks Awards to Dr. Steve Gaines. The Nov. 12 presentation came during C-N’s Alumni and Friends Dinner held at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Named for long-time Carson-Newman football coach Ken Sparks, the award recognizes pastors or lay people within the church who exemplify the traits of the legendary coach.

“Steve Gaines has been an inspiring leader as pastor, preacher, and evangelist. He exudes a deep love for Jesus that motivates his ministry,” said Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler. “There could not be a more deserving recipient of the Ken Sparks Award. Carson-Newman is so blessed to have the privilege to recognize Dr. Gaines in this way and celebrate the fruitfulness of his life and ministry.”

Gaines, the author of several books on devotions, worship, and evangelism, served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, 2016-2018. With a ministry devoted to prayer and preaching God’s Word, Gaines also pastored churches in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. He has served on many denomination boards and committees as well as preached at events on the national, state and local levels.

Most recently Gaines has served as senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, a position he has held for 19 years after succeeding the church’s third pastor, Adrian Rogers. At some 30,000 members, it is the largest church in the Mid-South.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Union University and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While at Southwestern, he was awarded the H.C. Brown, Jr. Preaching Award and the W. Fred Swank Evangelism Award. He is noted as being the only graduate to receive both honors.

He and his wife Donna have four children and 18 grandchildren.