A Woman for All Seasons—
“I am the vine; you are the branches, He that abides in me and I in him, the same will bear much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Dr. Lois Evans, wife of one of the nation’s leading preachers, is a distinguished leader in her own right. She is Senior Vice President of The Urban Alternative, the national ministry of her husband, Dr. Tony Evans. As First Lady of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, she serves in the office of the Senior Pastor over women’s ministries.
Born the third of eight children, Mrs. Evans promised her heart to God at the early age of eleven and accepted the call to full-time ministry at fifteen. It was her parents and grandparents that labored intensely, providing their large family an eternal legacy of faith in and obedience to Christ.
As a young, single lady, Lois was very opened to God’s plans for her life with one exception…she did not want to become a pastor’s wife. When she met her husband, Tony Evans, he was planning to be an evangelist. While attending Dallas Theological Seminary, he answered the call to be a pastor. The life of a pastor’s wife could be easier said than done for many women, and the first couple of years were challenging for Mrs. Evans.
With love and conviction, Dr. Evans said, “I don’t want you to be the church’s wife, only my wife…a woman married to a pastor. I want you to be just you.” That was a defining moment for Mrs. Evans; having then the freedom to progress personally and spiritually as a Christian woman.
God has used Mrs. Evans’ experiences of marriage, motherhood, and ministry not only to develop her as a woman of faith, but to teach and encourage thousands of women around the country to embrace God’s plan for them and thrive in all seasons of life. It is Mrs. Evans’ insight into the complexities of a woman’s world that has led her to establish local and national ministries.
Dr. Lois Evans founded, through The Urban Alternative, the Pastors’ Wives Ministry, which hosts an annual First Lady Conference for pastors’ wives. Various sources say that at least 80 percent of pastors’ wives feel unqualified and unappreciated—sometimes more than their husbands.
The Pastors’ Wives Ministry and the First Lady Conference have a mission to give help, hope and a safe haven to first ladies who may be experiencing isolation, fears and silent abuse in their role as pastors’ wives, by providing them with education, biblical counseling and support along with a myriad of other Christian resources.
Additionally, Dr. Lois Evans oversees the Women’s Fellowship ministry at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. The purpose of the ministry is to offer a wide range of programs to reach women from all walks of life and minister to them where they are in life.
A special joy for Mrs. Evans is having her two gifted daughters, Chrystal and Priscilla, join her in teaching and encouraging women to maximize their relationship with Christ.
More about Dr. Lois Evans—
Dr. Lois Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Eastern College. She has worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Grand Old Gospel Fellowship Ministry and Dallas Federal Savings and Loan.
Mrs. Evans also serves on the National Religious Broadcasters Board, the NRB Television Board, the Dallas Baptist University Woman’s Auxiliary Board and The Urban Alternative Board of Directors.
Drs. Lois and Tony Evans combined to write Our Love Is Here To Stay
(Multnomah, 2004), and she wrote Seasons Of A Woman’s Life (Moody, 2000) and Stones of Remembrance: A Rock-Hard Faith from Rock-Hard Places (Moody, 2006) with Jane Rubietta. Her notable honors include:
- The Good Samaritan Award from Dallas Baptist for outstanding Christian service to the community in 1995
- The Woman of the Year in Ministry Award presented by Women of Influence, Inc.
- One of Eight First Ladies Honored by The Family Place as “First Ladies Against Domestic Violence” in 2007
She is a much sought-after speaker for conferences and churches around the globe, as well as an accomplished singer. She recorded albums in 1983 and in 1989.
Dr. Lois Evans is married to her best friend of 40 years, Dr. Tony Evans. They are the proud parents of four: Chrystal, Priscilla, Anthony, Jr., and Jonathan as well as proud grandparents of nine: Kariss, Jessica, Jackson, Jessie Jr., Jerry Jr., Kanaan, Jude, Joel and Kelsey.
