DALLAS – First Baptist Church of Dallas, led by nationally known pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, will open a new state-of-the-art $130-million campus on Easter Sunday, March 31. The new facility is believed to be the largest church building campaign in modern history,
“At a time when suburban megachurches are the norm, and research shows that many people no longer feel the church is relevant, First Baptist is committed to the Bible and to downtown Dallas,” says Jeffress. “People are hungry not for religion but for the Word of God. First Baptist Dallas is built on the Bible, and because of that we are growing.”
This growth prompted First Baptist Dallas to embark on a building campaign in 2009, during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Though the popular trend among many churches is to acquire and retrofit unused buildings or open smaller satellite campuses in the suburbs, First Baptist chose to remain in the heart of Dallas – a place where it has been located since its founding in 1868 – to continue to serve the residents, business community and guests of Dallas and the surrounding metroplex.
The new First Baptist campus is part of an extensive and impressive ongoing revitalization of downtown Dallas, following the recent opening of several multimillion-dollar museums, theaters and parks.
“For more than 140 years – through cycles of both decline and growth – First Baptist has been steadfastly committed to the city of Dallas,” Jeffress says. “That dedication continues through this contribution of what we believe is the finest facility in the heart of downtown – a concert hall of worship that truly represents, and is dedicated to, the greatness of God.”
The new campus highlights the landmark sanctuary alongside a new 3,000-seat worship center, which includes the latest high-tech features, such as a 150-feet-wide viewing screen. It stretches nearly two-thirds across the room and consists of seven high-definition projectors blended together, making it one of the largest viewing screens in any church in the world.
Connected to the worship center via a glass sky bridge is the five-story Horner Family Center, featuring children’s and youth classrooms, a gymnasium and three age-appropriate indoor playgrounds, and a seven-story parking garage. In addition, a high-impact cross-tower and fountain are surrounded by three-quarters of an acre of public community space.
The new 500,000-square-foot campus, designed by innovative Dallas-based architecture firm, The Beck Group, is united in function and design and easily identifiable as an iconic church. The entire campus is expected to attain silver certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Under the leadership of Jeffress, First Baptist – which was once seen as a dying church – is now experiencing growth and embarking on a new beginning.
For more information, visit www.FirstDallas.org/newcampus.
Source: www.firstdallas.org