Jay Strother, senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, has announced that he has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and will temporarily step back from his pastoral duties to focus on treatment and recovery.

The 50-year-old pastor, who began leading the multi-campus church in October 2023, addressed the congregation about his health, explaining that he plans to take time away from the pulpit as doctors finalize his treatment plan. The church serves roughly 7,000 worshippers each week across nine campuses in the Nashville region.

Strother revealed that doctors discovered a significant mass in his abdomen in early December. After undergoing medical evaluations and further testing, the mass was confirmed to be malignant. He acknowledged that some aspects of his condition are still being examined and that certain medical details remain unclear as specialists continue their assessments.

While expressing confidence in his medical team, Strother admitted that the journey ahead will likely involve intensive treatment, major surgery, and a lengthy recovery period. Because of this, he believes stepping aside from ministry responsibilities for a season is necessary.

Despite the difficult diagnosis, he encouraged church members to remain steadfast in their faith and united in purpose. He emphasized that the strength of the church does not rest on one individual but on Christ as its foundation. Strother urged the congregation to continue pursuing the church’s mission, stay engaged in small groups, and remain active in service rather than allowing his health challenge to slow their momentum.

He also asked for prayers for himself and his family as they navigate the coming months, expressing gratitude for the support of mentors, prayer partners, and the broader church community during this time.