Dr.

Tony Evans shocked the congregation of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church with his announcement.

He revealed that he was stepping down from his pastoral duties due to a sin he committed years ago, though he did not provide specific details.

Evans has been the senior pastor for 48 years, growing the church's membership to around 10,000 people.

Members expressed their support and admiration for Evans during this surprising change in leadership.

James Harris, Jr.

, who has worshipped at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church for 32 years, praised Evans as a staple in the community and one of the most well-known pastors in the nation.

Evans, a former chaplain for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Mavericks, is also a well-known author, speaker, and widely syndicated radio host.

Harris was present during the second service on Sunday when Evans announced his decision.

Evans explained that he needed to apply the same biblical standards of repentance and restoration to himself that he has applied to others.

He stated, 'While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions.

In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders.

This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.

'Harris remarked that Evans' actions serve as a reminder that pastors are human too and provide an opportunity to give back to Evans what he has taught them.

He noted, 'Him and his family, they truly believe what they preach, and they act on it.

And so this is just another showing of faith in God and forgiveness and healing and grace.

'Brooke Rogers, a 20-year veteran of TV news, first joined the CBS 11 News Team in 2005 as a general assignment news reporter.

She is proud to call North Texas home and to tell the stories that impact the community.