DALLAS /PRNewswire/ — Three years after more than 1 million square feet of building space downtown was blown up, First Baptist Church of Dallas, led by nationally known pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, has completed the largest Protestant church construction campaign in modern history. , opened its new state. On Easter Sunday, March 31st, we broke ground on our $130 million arts campus.
The new facility features the latest technological advancements for any church and provides a unique worship experience. His new 3,000-seat worship center, located next to the historic 122-year-old sanctuary, includes his 150-foot-wide IMAX-quality church that spans more than two-thirds of the width of the auditorium. A video wall has been installed. It incorporates seven high-definition projectors, making it one of the largest viewing screens in a church worldwide. Additionally, the wooden band along the walls surrounding the worship center contains LED strips that can be programmed to millions of different colors, creating dramatic ambient lighting that complements and enhances any platform program.
“Our dream was to create a spiritual oasis in the middle of downtown Dallas,” said Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas. “We incorporated some of the latest technology to provide a unique and interactive worship opportunity. Additionally, although the Worship Center can accommodate thousands of people, it is not a convention center-like experience. , offering an intimate church-like atmosphere.”
Connected to the worship center via a glass skybridge is the five-story Horner Family Center, which features themed children's and youth classrooms, a gymnasium, three age-appropriate indoor play areas, and a seventh-floor It has a built-in parking lot.
First ignited on March 24, the impactful cross tower and fountain is surrounded by three-quarters of an acre of public community space. The fountain serves as a grand entrance to the new campus and features a stainless steel cross atop a 68-foot-tall pedestal.
Surrounding the tower are shallow pools of water, a heated baptistery, eight water cannons and 21 giant rippling water jets. Along the edge of the fountain pool are carved the Bible verses from John 4:14. “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water gushing out into eternal life.” Programmed Waterfall Flow His custom orchestral music plays along with some of the national anthems and spiritual songs.
“Our church felt the need to expand and improve our campus to fulfill our missionary mission,” Jeffress said. “During these challenging economic times, we wanted to use our gifts to build a church that provides spiritual growth and healing while reflecting the greatness and majesty of God.” First Baptists remain committed to empowering individuals to worship and serve Christ and make an impact in their communities, cities, and the world.”
First Baptist first embarked on its now-completed construction campaign in 2009, during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. While many churches tend to acquire unused buildings and renovate them or open small satellite campuses in the suburbs, First Baptist Church has been located in We chose to remain in the heart of Dallas. To continue serving the residents, business community, and guests of Dallas and the surrounding metroplex.
On November 1, 2009, First Baptist leaders recommended to the congregation a plan to build a new 21st century campus, a $130 million project designed as a re-creation rather than a renovation of the original facility. The plan was revealed.
Starting October 30, 2010, experts had to use 450 pounds of dynamite and 1,200 rounds of ammunition to remove the six original structures to make way for construction of the new campus. Only the original historic preserve, completed in 1891, and the Criswell Center, built in 2006, remained. The church officially broke ground on the new construction on July 11, 2011.
The new First Baptist campus is part of a large and impressive revitalization currently underway in downtown Dallas, following the recent openings of several innovative museums, theaters, and parks.
Jeffress has built First Baptist's reputation as a pioneer in Bible education while actively working to improve its future legacy in Dallas. Under his leadership, First Baptist, once seen as a dying church, is now experiencing growth and a new beginning. This year, the Easter message of “rebirth” has special meaning for members of First Baptist Dallas.
For more information, visit www.FirstDallas.org/newcampus.
Editor's note: Check out “How to Raise Megabucks” in the May 2013 issue. church executives — In a one-on-one interview with Pastor Jeffress, he discusses the fundraising aspects of this huge construction project.
Source: www.FirstDallas.org/newcampus
