Brentwood Baptist Pastor Steps Away for Health Battle
In a heartfelt announcement, Jay Strother, the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee, revealed he will be temporarily stepping down from his pastoral duties. Diagnosed with stomach cancer, Strother is preparing to focus on treatment and recovery.
Strother, a 50-year-old Southern Baptist leader and father of five, took on his current role at the multi-campus megachurch on October 1, 2023. As he navigates this challenging time, he clings to the biblical passage Matthew 6:33-34, which encourages seeking God’s kingdom and not worrying about tomorrow. “By God’s grace, I’ve been taking it a day at a time and a step at a time,” Strother shared with the congregation.
The pastor first discovered the cancerous mass in his abdomen last December. “I discovered in early December that I had a large mass in my right abdominal area,” he explained. Despite consulting with medical professionals, Strother acknowledged that the answers have been slow and unclear. “The treatment plan hasn’t been finalized, but at some point in the near future, it’s almost certain that I’ll have to step away from ministry for a time for treatment, major surgery, and an extended recovery,” he noted.
Stomach cancer often goes undiagnosed until it is advanced, partially due to common symptoms like indigestion or acid reflux, according to the National Foundation for Cancer Research. In the U.S., no routine screening exists for this condition, contributing to delayed detection.
Having processed his diagnosis with mentors and prayer partners for over two months, Strother decided to inform the church community. “I knew it was time to let our entire church family know, so you can walk with us through this journey,” he conveyed, urging the congregation to pray for his family.
He reassured the church that its strength lies beyond any single person. “I’m convinced our church is healthy, our leadership bench is deep, and I believe we have the spiritual maturity to weather any storm. Our church isn’t built around a single leader; our cornerstone is Christ,” he stated.
Strother encouraged his congregation to remain active and committed to the church’s mission. “The mission of the church is too important,” he emphasized. “I don’t want news of my illness to slow down our vision. I pray that God will use this season to keep building momentum at our campuses.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
