Bellevue Baptist Church

Well, I just love this church. I can appreciate that Bellevue may not be the right church home for many people, but from the minute my sons and I walked in the door, we knew we were home.
My children quickly became involved in the children’s ministry, and I in the music ministry. One great thing about Bellevue is that the church as a whole has SO much to offer anyone who is willing and ready to get involved, there really is something for everyone and every walk of life. In such a large church, getting involved with something helps to reduce its size. Once you start attending regularly and meeting people, and learn your way around, the church isn’t really all that large. Still big, yes, but it becomes familiar — home.
Some of the reviews surprise me, but it also shows that some don’t really understand what Bellevue is all about. The notes sheet from the bulletin is provided to further enhance our understanding of Pastor Steve’s sermon. There are holes punched into each sheet so they can be saved and reached for later reference, if desired. The whole idea is a continuous study of the Bible and the Word within, and these sheets are a great aid.
Bellevue does have a lot of money, but that is due to a giving congregation as well as other donations (many about which I know nothing!). The tithing donations are spread out to many many programs, including but not limited to kids’ summer camps, mission trips, the traveling dentist, Bellevue Loves Memphis, ARISE to Read, and more. The whole idea is to GIVE BACK to Memphis and other places of need. As Pastor Steve, as well has his wife, Donna, has said more than once, Memphis is Bellevue’s greatest missions ground. So yes, Bellevue has some money, but a lot of good is done with that money.
Pastor Steve is passionate in his beliefs, and delivers great sermons. He is a man of God and of Prayer, and I like how he preaches from the Bible, yet his sermons do not solely revolve around them. He delivers sermons that are relatable and easy to understand, and does so in a way that keeps you coming back for more. The «Breaking the Chains» series was really great.
I am very happy at Bellevue, and I don’t plan on leaving any time soon.

This is the largest Baptist Church in Memphis, with several satellite locations also. It is very friendly, with convenient parking and a host of programs for all ages and all walks of life. It’s gym is first rate, with a walking track, multiple basketball courts, and all sorts of equipment (treadmills, weight machines, free weights, stair climbers (or whatever those machines are called), stationary bikes, etc.
The services are good, and the Word is preached faithfully.

Great place to feel at home (very friendly) and hear the Word plainly spoken about Jesus. We’ve only been going there a few weeks but it will be our new church home. HIGHLY recommend!

I’ve been coming to this church for 7 years and I love it! Pastor Gaines talks about Jesus and His Word. He has a subject in mind, and he uses Bible verses to show it is God’s Word, and not his, that he is preaching on. He makes it where it is easy to understand. It is a mission church and it is so nice to see the people going on various missions, many helping build a church in poor areas and helping others. It also has a dental bus that goes into the Memphis area and gives free dental work to the ones who cannot afford it. The dentists/​assistants volunteer their work. They have classes for every age group, for which I am in one of them. The people of Bellevue are so friendly. During the year they have various concerts, plus the Christmas Tree event. I just love it here! Next year, God willing, I’ll be moving out of State, and am going to miss all this church has to offer. This church is for me and I love going here! Oh, one thing when I move, they telecast live t.v. so I will be able to still watch Steve preach via internet! :D

I went to Bellevue sometimes and I like everything there, the preaching, the fellowship and the activities they offer. Now I go to different church because it is closer to me, but I am surprised to read all the bad reviews saying this church is a money making machine and that is so rich and big and luxurious, if you talking about luxury just go to Vatican San Pieter and San Patrick or San Vitro… and I can keep goin if is some money machine church you have to turn your eyes is to the Catholic organization no onliy one church that actually helps all around the world and the Memphis community

It’s a BIG church with a BIG campus. That’s all I have to say.

Not a Baptist, but the folks are friendly and the facility is BIG. Around Memphis, it is know as ‘FORT GOD’.
It was built around Pastor Adrian Rogers, a stalwart in Memphis for a generation. As of late, it seems to have struggled after Adrian’s death, looking for a new voice.

WARNING!!!: This is NOT a review of the church or it’s pastor!
I am not reviewing this church, I don’t even attend this church. I’m reviewing the parks that are on the church grounds. They are open to the public and it is my favorite park to go to in the East Memphis area. That includes Shelby Farms Park because the Bellvue Park is big enough for my kids to enjoy. But with 3 preschoolers (My little ones are 3, 4 and 5 years old) I need a park that is small or confined enough for me to keep track of all three kids at the same time. The parks meet all their age levels, they are gated in so no one can roam away, there are benches and tables for picnics or resting. There are also pavilions to eat in the shade or rent out for birthday parties.
They have the rubbery soft material for kids to run on and it reduces injuries during falls, and also another great thing about the Bellvue Parks is that they have canopies over they play areas so kids get some shade while playing outdoors.
There are nice clean bathrooms within the church/​gym facilities that we can use.
I’m really going to miss the Bellvue Park when we move out of state.
PS– I added 2 pictures of the Parks up there if you want to check it out: D

Funny how others rate low rates while they are in church. It’s a beautiful church, and I think that the current pastor is great. the note section of the bulletin is given to assist the congregation and visitors assistance to following along with the pastor notating the important points the pastor has selected. It’s sad how some find this offensive like the earlier reviewer.

We went here on a whim with a friend who belongs to this church, and did it more out of respect for him. My husband and I have been trying to find a church in Memphis for a while, and figured we might as well give it a shot.
Religion and beliefs aside, I much prefer a pastor who does not «preach» at me or revolve his/​her sermon around quoting entire chunks of the Bible. I much prefer pastors who choose one specific Bible verse and then spend the remaining sermon relating it to every day life. This sermon was nothing like that, in fact it was a solid hour of him reciting whole chunks of the Bible. Even weirder, there was a fill-​in-​the-​blank worksheet inside our program that we were supposed to fill out while we sat there. No thanks.
I will say that the people we met here were lovely. Very friendly and welcoming. I also like the fact that they offer up a large amount of classes– couples, singles, parents etc. They have just about everything you can imagine.
I think the church is a bit too large and ostentatious. Any church that hires police to direct traffic in and out every Sunday is a little much for me. This church felt more like a large shopping mall to me than a place of worship. They have a book store and a library for Pete’s sake. I much prefer my church to have fellowship in the basement that smells like sneakers and serves super weak Folgers out of Styrofoam cups. It’s so much churchier that way. FYI– Bellvue has their very own, pre-​printed to-​go coffee cups that resemble something you’d get at Starbucks. That’s taking things a bit too far for me. Needless to say, we will not be returning.

I love Bellevue. Steve Gaines is a wonderful pastor. He is a great story teller and his knowledge of world history astounds me. (I suppose you need both talents to be an effective pastor) — Plus the man loves food, which I can totally relate to. :)
I think it’s great that so many people attend this church that they need to help direct traffic. (Many churches have this «problem» — Second Presbytarian on Poplar springs to mind)
Bellevue does so many wonderful things for Memphis and beyond. For example, they have a traveling dental clinic. It is a bus that travels throughout impoverished areas of Memphis, offering services that are free of charge. I’m sure Bellevue does raise a lot of money, but they do a lot of good in the world with it.
I encourage anyone to check out
and see all the things and opportunities that Bellevue offers.

I came here because of a friend a few years ago. Raised in another faith I was not very much interested but with no friends in Memphis I went along. The place was huge and it looked beautiful and very expensive. I saw all these bible groups and other groups raising money for their trip to other countries. I am like if this place is so rich why they have to raise money. Anyways also when I was sitting there I just felt this is money making machine. I am thinking so many people hungry in the world and this place looks like an opera. It is just my opinion. After visiting this church I never returned. They wanted to change the way I believe and be saved the way they understand the bible.