While many churches struggle with staff layoffs and reduced budgets amid the recession, things seem to be just fine at First Baptist Church of Dallas. On Sunday the historic downtown church announced plans for a whopping $130 million building project that will change the landscape of the city's skyline.
"If [Dallas Cowboys owner] Jerry Jones can spend $1.5 billion to build a temple to the god of sports 13 miles away, we can build a spiritual oasis in the heart of Dallas," said senior pastor Robert Jeffress, referring to the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In addition to doubling seating capacity with a new 3,000-seat, glass-front auditorium, the church plans to demolish five aging buildings on its campus, which sits in the newly revamped cultural arts district, and replace them with a six-story education building, side-by-side gymnasiums, connecting glass sky bridge, outdoor baptismal pool and a roof garden that overlooks the city.
Although the project has been called the largest building campaign in American church history, it pales in comparison to other recent renovations of the downtown area, which include the ongoing $2 billion Trinity River Corridor Project and the $354 million Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.
During the announcement on Sunday, Jeffress said $62 million had already been pledged—which he said was a "sign from God," and which was met with a standing ovation.
"I think it's wonderful," said longtime member Janet Naramore of the project. "When God leads you to do something, He always provides." [star-telegram.com, 11/1/09; press release, 10/30/09]
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