MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Adrian Rogers, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church for 32 years, announced to the church Sunday night, Sept. 12, that he plans to retire in the spring of 2005.
According to a church news release, a search committee will be appointed to seek out a pastor for the historic church. Rogers has recovered from recent bypass surgery but stated that health concerns are not a factor in his retirement.
"Health is not a factor in this decision," Rogers wrote in a letter to the congregation. "I thank God for my recovery and growing vitality and hope for many good years ahead."
The 73-year-old minister plans to remain in Memphis, Tenn., and devote his time to a Pastor Training Institute that he has established, to teach as an adjunct professor at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and to continue his worldwide radio and TV ministry known as Love Worth Finding.
Bellevue Baptist Church, under the leadership of the new pastor, will continue to broadcast its services locally. Rogers also plans to pursue a writing ministry and stated that he is looking forward to spending more quality time with his family.
Under the tenure of Rogers' ministry the church membership has grown from about 9,000 to 29,000.
Rogers said that although he is retiring from the church, his ministry will continue. "I will not retire from the ministry until I draw my last breath," he said.
