Following a four-alarm fire in the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas on July 19, Senior Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress promised, “We’re going to re-create [the church] as a standing symbol of the truth.” Jeffress, who leads the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) megachurch, shared words of thanks and hope with congregants yesterday (July 21). About 3,000 worshipers gathered at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, while the investigation into the blaze continues.
“We cannot allow Satan to have the last word,” said Jeffress. “If we allow that [church building] to remain in ruins, it will look to the whole world like we have been defeated by the evil one. So we are going to rebuild.”
The cause of last Friday’s fire hasn’t been determined, and damage is still being assessed. Jeffress said he doesn’t believe arson was involved.
No injuries were reported from the fire, which occurred soon after the church’s annual vacation Bible school program had wrapped up. The historic sanctuary, built in 1890, serves as a secondary chapel, hosting events such as funerals, weddings, and vacation Bible school. On-campus activities at First Baptist Dallas have been suspended during the fire investigation and cleanup.
WE WILL REBUILD!! pic.twitter.com/SUwKbYoE6a
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) July 21, 2024
Pastor Robert Jeffress: Satan Won’t Win
Jeffress thanked the “100 firefighters” who fought the blaze, plus local and national government leaders who have reached out since Friday to offer support. The pastor also mentioned a tweet from SBC president Clint Pressley, who wrote, “If the SBC had a Notre Dame it would be FBC Dallas.”
Then Jeffress, 68, described the emotions he experienced while watching the church burn. It wasn’t just due to memories, he said, because “I’ve got a lot of memories about Six Flags Over Texas, but I don’t fall apart every time I go through the turnstile.” In addition to memories, he said, the spiritual milestones that have occurred at First Baptist Dallas are what matter.
“It’s like those flames represented the flames of hell, and they were destroying the truth that I had banked my life and eternity [on],” Jeffress said. He recalled Jesus’ words to his disciples before his death, that he would destroy this temple and rebuild it in three days. “The disciples had the same feeling we did Friday, a feeling of despair, discouragement,” noted the pastor. “But three days later Jesus arose from the dead, and the story changed.”
Although Friday’s fire made it look “like the gates of hell were prevailing, that Satan was going to win, it is Sunday morning,” Jeffress told congregants. “It is a day of resurrection; it’s not a day of death. And I am pledging to you we’re going to rebuild that sanctuary.”
‘We Need To Recommit Ourselves to God’s Mission,’ Says Robert Jeffress
Leaders at First Baptist Dallas will explore how to rebuild and “honor” the historic sanctuary, Jeffress said, pointing out that the insurance company will fund the rebuilding. But he urged congregants to “recommit ourselves to God’s mission,” saying, “that’s what we need to be doing to defeat the plan of the devil.”
