A church in Dallas says they will rebuild following a devastating fire Friday evening.
The historic First Baptist Church of Dallas, located in the heart of the city's downtown, went up in flames at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
“We are grateful that no life has been lost even though we had 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day," said Senior Pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress.
“As tragic as the loss of this old sanctuary is, we are grateful that the church is not bricks and wood but composed of over 16,000 people who are determined more than ever before to reach the world for the gospel of Christ,” Jeffress added. “Please pray for all of First Baptist Dallas.”
Dr. Jeffress says over 100 firefighters worked to contain the fire in the historic sanctuary. The rest of the campus, which spans six blocks of downtown Dallas, was preserved.
This fire hits especially hard for Dr. Jeffress who grew up at First Baptist Dallas. He was baptized in the historic sanctuary when he was 9 and ordained there when he was 21.
“It’s not the building, it’s what that building represents: it represented the bedrock foundation of God’s Word that never changes... We are going to rebuild and recreate that sanctuary as a standing symbol of truth,” said Jeffress.
On Sunday, 3,000 parishioners met at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Centre, where Dr. Jeffress held a worship service for the church.
Executive Pastor Dr. Ben Lovvorn delivered the sermon Sunday morning, commenting, “We are disappointed, but we don’t despair, as the events of Friday night awakened a spiritual giant with incredible resolve.”
Dr. Jeffress compared the fire to Jesus' death and resurrection, saying that on Friday night, it appeared evil had won, but on Sunday morning, the truth of God prevailed.
“Let’s have the world see and say what happened Friday night was the best thing that happened to First Baptist Dallas, because it caused them to double-down on their mission: to go to all the world and preach the gospel,” Jeffress concluded. “We’re going to make it through this, remember that historic place of worship and do everything we can to honor it. God has great plans for First Baptist Dallas.”
With 16,000 members, First Baptist Church of Dallas is one of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention.