evans was educated at gonville and caius college, cambridge and ordained in 1966. his first post was a curacy at christ church, cockfosters. in 1968 he became a missionary pastor with the argentine inter-varsity christian fellowship, serving until 1977. he was the chaplain of the good shepherd church in lima then bishop of peru. from 1988 to 1993 he was an assistant bishop in the diocese of bradford; within the diocese of chichester from 1994 to 1997; and the diocese of birmingham from 1997 until 2003. he was an associate priest for the stourdene benefice from 2003 until 2010.