Dr. Tony Evans's net worth is estimated at several million dollars, built over five decades as founding senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, author of more than 100 books, and host of the nationally syndicated radio and podcast broadcast The Urban Alternative.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Anthony Tyrone Evans |
| Born | September 10, 1949, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Education | B.A., Carver College (1972); Th.M. (1976) and Th.D. (1982), Dallas Theological Seminary |
| Known For | Founding senior pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship (1976-2024); The Urban Alternative radio ministry |
| First Wife | Lois Irene Evans (married 1970; died 2019) |
| Current Wife | Carla Crummie (married 2023) |
| Children | Chrystal Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Jr., and Jonathan Evans |
Early Life and Education
Evans was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 10, 1949, and worked as a chauffeur for a prominent family before pursuing higher education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Carver College in Atlanta in 1972, then studied at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology in 1976 and becoming the first African American to earn a Doctor of Theology degree from the institution in 1982.
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
In 1976, Evans founded Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, starting with ten members meeting in his home. The church grew into one of the largest congregations in the region, with roughly 11,000 members, and Evans served as its senior pastor for 48 years, until 2024.
Lois Evans and Family
Evans married Lois Irene Evans in 1970; she co-founded The Urban Alternative with him and helped build the ministry's early radio and mail-order outreach before her death in 2019. The couple had four children, all of whom built careers connected to ministry and media: Chrystal Hurst, a worship leader and Christian speaker; Priscilla Shirer, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Going Beyond Ministries; Anthony Jr., a contemporary Christian recording artist who competed on "The Voice"; and Jonathan Evans, a former NFL fullback who became chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys. Evans remarried in 2023, to Carla Crummie.
The Urban Alternative
Evans and his wife founded The Urban Alternative in 1981 to distribute recordings of his sermons by mail; it grew into a nationally syndicated radio and podcast ministry reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners. Evans has also written more than 100 books, booklets, and Bible studies, and became the first African American to author a full Bible commentary and study Bible published in the United States.
2024 Stepping Down and 2025 Restoration
In June 2024, Evans stepped down from the pulpit at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship after disclosing what he described as a moral failure from years earlier, which he said was "not criminal in nature" without further detail. He entered a formal restoration process involving counseling and mentoring. In October 2025, church elders announced Evans had completed the process and was restored to ministry, but that he would not return to a staff or senior leadership role at the church.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tony Evans's net worth?
Estimated at several million dollars, built from decades of ministry, more than 100 published books, and The Urban Alternative broadcast.
Is Tony Evans still senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship?
No. He stepped down in June 2024 after disclosing a past moral failure, and while he was restored to ministry in October 2025, he did not return to a staff or leadership role at the church.
What happened to Tony Evans's first wife, Lois?
Lois Irene Evans, his wife since 1970 and co-founder of The Urban Alternative, died in 2019. Evans remarried in 2023, to Carla Crummie.
Who are Tony Evans's children?
Chrystal Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Jr., and Jonathan Evans, all of whom have careers in ministry, media, or professional sports chaplaincy.