Adrian Rogers Grave

Adrian Pierce Rogers

“We ought to be living as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.”
(Adrian Pierce Rogers)

Adrian Pierce Rogers

Adrian Pierce Rogers (September 12, 1931 – November 15, 2005) stands as one of the most consequential figures in late 20th-century American evangelicalism. His pastoral leadership, doctrinal stance, media ministry, and denominational influence combined to leave a legacy felt within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), within evangelicalism broadly, and in the lives of countless individuals who heard his sermons or read his books.

Early Life and Call to Ministry

Rogers was born in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1931. He grew up in modest circumstances and embraced the Christian faith as a young man. He completed his undergraduate degree at Stetson University (BA, 1954) and then earned a Bachelor of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1958. Rogers entered full-time ministry in his early twenties, serving in Florida congregations before moving into larger positions.

From early on, Rogers displayed a strong commitment to biblical authority, evangelical outreach, and a passion for preaching. His time in Florida, in smaller pastorates, built the foundations of his style: clear expository preaching, evangelistic fervor, and an emphasis on personal faith in Christ.

Pastoral Leadership at Bellevue and Growth

In 1972 Rogers accepted the senior pastorate of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. At that time the church counted approximately 9,000 members. Over the ensuing decades under Rogers’s leadership the congregation grew to over 29,000 members. His leadership included moving the church to a large suburban campus, expanding ministries, and reinforcing a culture of evangelism, discipleship, and scriptural fidelity.

Rogers’s pulpit ministry earned him wide recognition—often titled the “Prince of Preachers” among Southern Baptists—because of his clarity, doctrinal depth, and practical application of Scripture. His sermons were accessible yet strong, preaching the gospel plainly and urging believers to live faithfully.

Role in the Conservative Resurgence of the SBC

Perhaps the most far-reaching influence of Rogers was his leadership in the doctrinal and structural revival of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1979 he was elected president of the SBC—the first conservative to hold the post in a movement commonly labelled the “Conservative Resurgence”—seeking to reaffirm the inerrancy and authority of Scripture and reclaim denominational institutions from perceived liberal drift.

He served again as president in 1986 and 1987, helping to solidify the change in theological direction. Under his presidency, the trustees and seminaries of the SBC moved decisively toward conservative leadership and a renewed emphasis on biblical authority. This shift has defined the identity and posture of the SBC into the 21st century. In reflecting later, Rogers acknowledged that his role in the resurgence may have the most lasting effect of anything he did.

Media Ministry and Outreach

Rogers did not confine his ministry to the pulpit. In 1987 he founded the Love Worth Finding Ministries, a radio and television broadcast that brought his sermons to households across the United States and into more than 150 countries. Through this medium, Rogers taught on Scripture, Christian living, evangelism, family matters, and discipleship.

He also authored more than 18 books—on topics such as spiritual growth, biblical doctrine, and Christian maturity. These written works extended his influence to pastors, church leaders, and laypeople alike. Behind the scenes he also founded the Adrian Rogers Pastor Training Institute, which seeks to equip ministers globally with preaching and leadership resources.

Character, Convictions and Influence

Rogers was widely known for three interlocking convictions: the inerrancy and authority of the Bible; the centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and the call for personal discipleship and evangelism. He famously said the Bible is not only useful but indispensable: “We are to believe in Scripture as though no one had written it; we are to obey it as though no one were reading it.”

His pastoral character was marked by humility, compassion, and a focus on the gospel rather than on institutional success. Colleagues remembered him as a man who held no grudges, sought no personal glory, and modelled Christian integrity.

At the same time, Rogers did not shy away from social issues. He held strong positions on the sanctity of life, the role of the church, and evangelical involvement in public life. Some observers note that his high-profile role helped usher in the increased political activism of evangelicals in the United States.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

On November 15, 2005, Adrian Rogers died at age 74 from complications of colon cancer and double pneumonia. His death prompted tributes from across the evangelical world. His enduring legacy can be reviewed in several dimensions:

• Denominational Reshaping – Through his leadership in the SBC, Rogers helped shift one of America’s largest Protestant bodies toward a firm evangelical and conservative theological posture.
• Church-Growth and Pastoral Model – Bellevue under Rogers became a national exemplar of large church ministry grounded in biblical preaching, evangelism, and effective leadership.
• Media and Global Reach – Love Worth Finding continues to broadcast his sermons worldwide; his books remain in print; the pastor-training institute continues to equip leaders across continents.
• Preaching and Teaching Excellence – Many pastors cite Rogers as a model of expository preaching: faithful to the text, relevant to life, uncompromising on truth.
• Discipleship Emphasis – Rogers sought not mere church attendance, but changed lives—his sermons, books and broadcasts underscore the central gospel and invite personal transformation.

In 2011, the trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources recognized his legacy with a resolution on what would have been his 80th birthday, describing him as “one of the giants of Southern Baptist life… whose influence is felt globally.”

Practical Lessons from His Life

For those who follow or study his ministry, several practical lessons emerge:

• Commit to Scripture – Rogers built his ministry on the conviction that the Bible is authoritative and should govern belief and practice.
• Preach faithfully – His example highlights the value of expository preaching: taking texts seriously, applying them to life, and communicating with clarity.
• Lead with humility – Despite his success, Rogers modelled servant leadership, focusing on Christ’s glory and others’ growth.
• Use all available means to reach people – He combined pastoral ministry, books, radio, television, training institutes—a full-spectrum approach to outreach.
• Invest in the next generation – Through his Pastor Training Institute and media ministry, Rogers sought to pass the baton; legacy is not automatic but intentional.

Conclusion

Adrian P. Rogers was more than a megachurch pastor or denominational figure; he was a theologian-pastor whose convictions shaped a generation of evangelical leaders. His life reminds us that robust doctrine, genuine pastoral care, effective communication, and strategic leadership can converge to produce long-lasting impact.

While no human leader is without critique or limitation, Rogers’s life offers a model of traditional evangelical commitment: to the gospel, to Scripture, to the church, and to the world. For those who seek to serve faithfully in pastoral ministry, missions, teaching or leadership, his legacy remains an encouraging guidepost—calling believers to preach the Word, live with integrity, and invest in the Kingdom across time and space.