What Can We Learn from Pastor Tony Evans?

Tony Evans hasn't just become a well-known pastor but started a legacy of pastors. So what makes his teaching so good?

Contributing Writer
Updated Jun 07, 2023
What Can We Learn from Pastor Tony Evans?

Many Christians are concerned with the state of our culture and especially the church’s position. We have a society and media more hostile to God and the Gospel. At the same time, the church in America and the West is declining, losing members despite a few massive churches.

Furthermore, many of our strong spiritual leaders are aging and passing away, while others are falling to scandals.

Thankfully, we still have a few prominent figures we can trust to teach biblical truth and speak into the issues of our day with that truth. Pastor Tony Evans is such an individual. As a pastor, author, and more, Tony Evans has been through rough times and has seen success in ministry and his family.

What Is Tony Evans Known For?

With a career spanning over five decades, Pastor Tony Evans has earned a reputation as a gifted teacher, preacher, author, and leader. He is known for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life and deliver powerful messages that resonate with the hearts of people from both sides of the American political aisle.

Tony Evans’ sermons are characterized by passion, authenticity, and deep biblical insights. One of his unique gifts is making complex theological concepts accessible and applicable to everyday life. He delivers engaging, relatable, and spiritually impactful messages, whether speaking to a large congregation or on other various media platforms.

Further, Evans has a firm hold and unwavering commitment to biblical truth and the authority of Scripture. He teaches the relevance and power of God’s Word for every aspect of life. He encourages believers to develop a solid foundation in the Bible, urging them to study, meditate, and apply the truths found in the Word of God.

Tony Evans is not only an amazing preacher, but he is also a prolific and powerful author. He has written numerous books on topics ranging from spiritual growth and family life to theology, racial reconciliation, and biblical studies. As with his preaching and teaching, Evans’ writing is known for its practicality, clarity, and biblical grounding, making his books accessible to a wide audience.

He is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, a large church. Under his leadership, the church has grown and multiplied, becoming a vibrant community of believers.

Last but not least, Tony Evans has made an amazing impact on urban communities through his ministry, The Urban Alternative. Through that organization, urban communities’ unique spiritual and social needs are addressed, and Evans’ commitment to serving and empowering these communities has earned him widespread admiration and respect.

What Does Tony Evans’ Family Do?

Tony Evans comes from a family with a rich legacy of ministry and a deep commitment to serving God. His family members have made significant ministry contributions of their own.

Tony Evans’ late father, Dr. Tony Evans Sr., was a highly respected pastor and evangelist who played a central role in impacting young Tony’s faith and calling. Dr. Evans Sr. served as the senior pastor of the same church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, in Dallas, Texas, for over four decades. Evans, Sr. was also known as a phenomenal preacher with his dedication to the Word of God, passing on those principles to his son.

His wife, Lois Evans, was also actively involved in ministry in her own right. She was recognized as a great speaker and leader and wrote books. She co-founded the Urban Alternative with Tony. Sadly, she passed away in 2019.

Tony Evans’ four children also continue this family legacy in ministry.

Anthony Evans is an accomplished pastor, speaker, and author. He is also a musician who competed on the 2012 season of The Voice.

Priscilla Evans Shirer is an even more widely known author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She has written numerous bestselling books, delivered powerful messages at conferences, and starred in several Christian films, notably the great War Room.

Jonathan Evans is a speaker, mentor, and a chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys football team, allowing him to have a Christian impact in the world of sports.

Chrystal Evans Hurst is an author and speaker who also leads worship. Her books consider womanhood, faith, and encouraging people to embrace their God-given purpose.

What Are Tony Evans’ Main Themes?

Pastor Tony Evans addresses many themes in his writing and speaking, all reflecting his deep commitment to biblical truth, the power of the Gospel, and practical applications of faith.

One of the central themes in Tony Evans’ ministry is the Kingdom of God, focusing on the sovereignty of God, who controls all things and has a divine plan and purpose for every individual. Understanding the King of the Kingdom of God gives us hope, trust, and assurance, even amid difficult circumstances. He has written books about racial reconciliation, manhood, and discipleship under this Kingdom theme.

A sovereign God gives us a sovereign message, so another significant theme for Evans is the authority of Scripture. Evans believes in the infallibility and relevance of the Bible as the ultimate guide for life, encouraging believers to study and apply the Word of God in every area. He emphasizes that the Bible isn’t merely a religious book but a source of truth, wisdom, and guidance.

With such a strong family, it shouldn’t surprise us. Evans also highlights the importance of family and relationships. He believes healthy families are the foundation of a healthy society. His teachings provide practical insights into marriage, parenting, and family dynamics so believers can build godly households based on biblical principles.

As an African American pastor, Tony Evans has a unique and important role in addressing racism, racial reconciliation, and social justice in the Christian community and the world. He promotes dignity, the image of God, respect, and love among all people, especially believers of all ethnic backgrounds. His teachings regularly challenge the church to actively pursue biblical justice, equality, and reconciliation, telling us the church must address racial divisions.

Finally, Tony Evans teaches a great deal about prayer. For Tony, prayer is not merely a religious ritual but a powerful means of connecting with God and experiencing His intervention and transformation in our lives. He seeks to inspire believers to cultivate a vibrant prayer life, understanding that prayer is vital to a thriving relationship with God.

10 Inspiring Tony Evans Quotes

1. “Men, God is not opposed to greatness. God is opposed to pride. Big difference. Unfortunately, it is a difference not widely understood or embraced.” — Kingdom Man

2. “You are not fighting for victory—you are fighting from victory. This battle has already been won!” — Victory in Spiritual Warfare

3. “It has nothing to do with whether you like God’s rules. It’s not your kingdom. If you want to operate by your own rules, then you need to go out and create your own world. But as long as you are in God’s world, where God has set the rules, you must abide by His rules or you become a rebel against His kingdom government.” — The Life Under God

4. “One of the major problems leading to the breakdown of society is that we have far too many opinions dictating life choices and not enough truth mandating them.” — The Kingdom Agenda

5. “Jesus didn’t wait until we got better to die for us. He died when we were in our most unlovely state. The person who doesn’t deserve love actually needs love more, not less. If you know someone unworthy of love, that’s great! You now have a chance to emulate Christ, because the essence of His love is unconditional.” — Our God is Awesome

6. “Many in our society want the benefits of freedom without its responsibilities and boundaries. They want “God bless America,” but not one nation under God.” — The Kingdom Agenda

7. “Religion can be one of the greatest hindrances to faith because it creates dependency on a ritual rather than on the God of the universe who can do all things.” — Kingdom Woman with Chrystal Evans Hurt

8. “Obeying the will of God takes priority over satisfying cultural expectations.” — Oneness Embraced

9. “CHURCH is like a hospital. It’s where people who are sick, broken, bruised, beaten, and battered with life because of sin and unrighteousness come for help. It’s okay if you are here and don’t have all your life together. If you had all your life together, you wouldn’t need to be here. However, hospitals do not tolerate sick people hanging around who don’t want to get better. No doctor is going to keep fooling with a patient.” — Tony Evan’s Book of Illustrations

10. “In the Garden of Eden, God established a boundary. He limited Adam and Eve’s access to one tree. The boundaries created dependency. As mentioned in the above verse, God desires that we should seek Him. The limitations are meant to guide our search for Him.” — “Another Lie: Alternative Viewpoint – June 7”

These quotes reflect Tony Evans’ profound understanding of faith, God’s power, prayer’s importance, and the significance of living in alignment with biblical principles. They serve as powerful reminders and inspirations for believers seeking to deepen their relationship with God and live out their faith meaningfully.

10 Excellent Tony Evans Books

1. Kingdom Man: Every Man’s Destiny, Every Woman’s Dream. Evans explores the biblical principles of manhood and guides men to fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities.

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2. Kingdom Woman: Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities with Chrystal Evans Hurst. This book empowers women to understand their identity and purpose in God’s kingdom and encourages them to embrace their unique calling.

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3. No More Excuses: Be the Man God Made You to Be. Evans challenges men to take responsibility for their actions, relationships, and spiritual growth, providing practical insights and encouragement for living a life of integrity.

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4. The Power of God’s Names. Evans delves into the significance and power of God’s names, revealing how understanding and invoking these names can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with Him.

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5. Detours: The Unpredictable Path to Your Destiny. Evans explores the life of Joseph, offering guidance and encouragement for navigating unexpected detours in life and discovering God’s purposes amid adversity.

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6. Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare. Evans equips readers with prayers and insights to engage in spiritual warfare, empowering them to overcome spiritual battles and experience victory.

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7. Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We are Stronger Together. Addressing racial and cultural divisions, Evans advocates for unity and reconciliation among believers, presenting a biblical perspective and practical steps towards healing and restoration.

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8. The Kingdom Agenda: The Truth About Angels. Drawing from Scripture, Evans explores the role and nature of angels, providing a deeper understanding of their significance in the spiritual realm and their involvement in believers’ lives.

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9. Theology You Can Count On: Experiencing What the Bible Says About God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Evans presents a comprehensive overview of the triune nature of God, illuminating the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and their relevance to believers.

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10. The Kingdom Agenda: Life Under God. Evans outlines the principles and priorities of the kingdom of God, urging believers to align their lives with God’s purposes and pursue a kingdom-focused lifestyle in every area.

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Photo Credit: Urban-Alternative via Wikimedia Commons

Britt MooneyBritt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non -iction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.


This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:

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