ONE LIFE AT A TIME
ANNUAL MINISTRY REPORT FOR Dr. Robert Jeffress FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS Senior Pastor 2019 his year has truly been one of life change and e are seeing God move in our church like never growth at First Baptist Dallas. Our ministries have before. As the first year of Mission 1:8 Generation Tgrown exponentially, hundreds have trusted Christ, WNow comes to an end, we rejoice that you have our family ministry continues to grow, and because of been faithful to give to the Lord and that you are leaving a that and your faithful giving, our campus is growing as legacy through your commitment, service, and prayers. well! While many downtown churches are struggling, First Baptist Dallas is thriving and growing in the heart of our Thank you for committing yourself to God’s purpose and for city. Praise God! advancing His kingdom by building His church and making disciples of Jesus Christ. I hope as you read the following pages you are encouraged by how God is using you to impact the world 2020 promises to be an exciting year, and we are committed for Christ and how He is changing lives for eternity. It has to further equipping you for the work of the gospel as never been more important for the church of God to stand you engage with people and invite them to be part of our firm and to reach people. church family.
Thank you for your commitment to our church, your There is much to celebrate and much to be done. I look service, ministry, prayers, and giving. Every year at forward to seeing how God will use you to transform our First Dallas continues to get better, and I eagerly world with God’s Word…one life at a time in 2020. anticipate the year ahead. In His Service, Sincerely,
BEN LOVVORN DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS EXECUTIVE PASTOR SENIOR PASTOR
2 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 3 CONTENTS Worship 6 Equip 22 Serve 34 Influence 40
Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor
4 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 5 “SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH; PROCLAIM GOOD TIDINGS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY. WORSHIP TELL OF HIS GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS, HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS Worship AMONG ALL THE PEOPLES.” Center —1 CHRONICLES 16:23-24 Average 3,495 Attendance
Day One Average 555 Attendance
New 912 Members
First-Time 4,365 Guests
iCampus Average 16,303 Attendance
6 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 7 220 Total Baptisms 1,091 Total Decisions for Christ
A Year of Life Change It’s been an incredible year of life change at First Baptist Dallas. God is working to change lives for 347 eternity both in Dallas and all over the world. Professions of Faith
8 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 9 PALM SUNDAY Palm Sunday 616 & Easter Decisions We celebrated with Michael W. Smith and March for Christ for Eternal Life on Palm Sunday, and then enjoyed powerful worship and a message called, “If Jesus Is Still Dead, So What?” on Easter.
EASTER 167 Decisions for Christ
10 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 11 6,076 Freedom in Worship Sunday We celebrated our freedom as Americans and our freedom in Christ with worship, fireworks, and special 32,458 guest speaker Lt. Col. Oliver North. on iCampus
12 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 13 Explore First This year, we welcomed hundreds of guests to campus for breakfast in Sunday School and a message by special guest, Mike Singletary.
179 20 First-Time Guests Decisions for Christ
14 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 15 Christmas at First Dallas DALLAS CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 2019 A NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS 2018 This year, we are excited to celebrate Christmas with the Dallas Christmas Spectacular, led by our magnificent Choir and Orchestra. We pray many see and understand the true meaning of Christmas and many more make 58 decisions for Christ through these performances. Decisions for Christ
Last year, we hosted our second annual community night as part of A Night of Christmas where we open the doors of the church to several organizations in the community who are making a difference in our city. Hundreds joined us for a free performance from various December 7-8 ministries, many of whom have never experienced church and heard the gospel for the first time. firstdallas.org/christmas
16 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 17 4,365 Special Total First-Time Guests Guests We welcomed several special guests throughout the year.
Mike Huckabee January 27
Sheila Walsh February 24
Eric Metaxas March 24
Phil Robertson March 31
Shannon Bream June 9
Pete Hegseth June 23
Lt. Col. Oliver North June 30
Joel C. Rosenberg October 6
Mike Singletary November 3
18 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 19 Kids Student Worship Worship Arts Belize Our kids are learning to worship Our students are learning the and praise God through Kids discipline of practicing and Worship Arts. At our Raise the leading worship through Student Praise summer camp, they looked at Worship Ministry. In partnership different places in the Bible where 14 with International Servants, our God’s people were praising Him. Decisions students traveled to Belize to They even recorded their songs! for Christ minister and lead worship for thousands of Belizeans. 109 Decisions for Christ 97 Students & Sponsors
20 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 21 “AND CONCERNING YOU, MY BRETHREN, I MYSELF ALSO AM CONVINCED THAT YOU YOURSELVES ARE FULL OF GOODNESS, EQUIP FILLED WITH ALL KNOWLEDGE AND ABLE ALSO TO ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER.” We’ve seen explosive growth in —ROMANS 15:14 several ministry areas this year. • Preschool and Children’s Ministry has grown 20.7%. • Singles Ministry has experienced a 22.5% growth. • Attendance grew by 20% in the newly formatted Women’s Bible Study.
22 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 23 Discipleship University
Discipleship University sets our church apart as one of the few thriving, evening equipping opportunities in the country.
• DU has more classes than ever. • Enrollment surpassed 1,600 for the first time during our 2019 fall semester. Sunday School & Care Groups
Sunday School is the primary method for equipping and evangelism at First Dallas. This year, we have seen growth like never before, and we added more Care Group leaders to better invest in those who attend.
• 600 new leaders signed up to serve in Care Group Ministry over the past year. • Average Sunday School Attendance reached 3,238.
24 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 25 Preschool & Children
Our Children’s Ministry continues to build into our kids at a level they understand. These foundational years are pivotal, and we are grateful to our staff and volunteers who invest in the lives of our children.
RESURRECTION ROAD & PRESCHOOL PRAISE Students 1,073 Preschoolers & Children Participated 54 Student Ministry continues to New Sunday teach the next generation to KIDS CAMP School Teachers know and love God and share 145 Learned More About Christ the gospel with everyone.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BEACH WEEK 153 Decisions for Christ 26 Decisions for Christ 10 Baptized MINISTRY GROWTH 20.7%
26 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 27 College Singles Our Singles Ministry continues to grow, learn, and serve in & Career areas all over the church. The Summit is welcoming more young adults every week as they study and learn about Our College & Career Ministry is growing God’s purpose for their lives. like never before. Students are being deployed on their campus to share the gospel and are inviting friends to church.
• Our student leader and adult mentor teams grew by 50%. • We launched a Discipleship Program, which trains leaders to engage with other students on a one-on-one basis for six months.
• The Summit has grown by 25% and continues to reach new single adults every week.
• Our volunteer leadership has increased by 40% in one ministry year.
28 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 29 Adult 1 Young Marrieds continues to grow and welcome new families to the church.
• 22 couples were prepared for covenant marriage through the Nearly Wed Seminar. Adults 3 & 4
• 30 marriages were encouraged or restored through Our Adult 3 & 4 Ministries lead the charge for us in biblical the Re|Engage marriage enrichment program. growth, stewardship, service, and leadership. • 65 couples participated in our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. • Care Group Leaders increased by 15%. Adult 2 • Adult 3 Sunday School attendance is up 4%. Our Adult 2 Ministry continues to grow and serve in ministries across our church.
• Sunday School attendance is up 6.7% over 2018. • Sunday School classes took the initiative to participate in their own mission projects throughout the year. • This ministry now has 103 individuals serving as Care Group Leaders through the Sunday School classes.
30 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 31 Women’s Ministry
Our Women’s Ministry exists to encourage and equip women to be strong in the Lord. Men’s We had an incredible year of growth and Ministry learning. HEARTSTRONG FAITH WOMEN’S Our Men’s Ministry seeks to CONFERENCE equip the men of our church 2,000+ in attendance to be leaders and strong in character for all God has called WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY them to steward in their lives. 300+ in attendance
MEN’S CONFERENCE 450 Attended
MEN’S LUNCH SERIES 400+ Attended
FATHER-SON RETREAT 60 Attended
DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE 119 Attended
32 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 33 “AS EACH ONE HAS RECEIVED A SPECIAL GIFT, EMPLOY IT IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD SERVE GRACE OF GOD.” —1 PETER 4:10 Volunteers continue to step into ministries all over our church to meet needs, bless the church, and host well. • Volunteer Ministry Fairs resulted in over 600 new volunteers this year. • We have 3,000 Active Servant Leaders. • Our Prison Ministry volunteers increased by 28%. • Our Choir and Orchestra grew by 10%.
34 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 35 Pastor’s Prayer Partners
Our Pastor’s Prayer Partners continues to grow as they pray for our pastor and Pastoral Care 400 church during worship and One of our primary ways to serve our members behind throughout the week. Serving the scenes is through our care ministries. We believe it is our job as a church to minister in every season.
• We have 154 volunteers serving faithfully.
• Ministers of the Day are handling hundreds of calls, Women visiting our homebound members, and counseling with those who walk through the doors of our church of Prayer and need assistance.
Our Women of Prayer ministry • Our Money Management Ministry Team is helping gathers every week to intercede people in need of financial guidance. for our church and staff on • We launched our Home First Ministry to help build a Sundays. culture of intentional families by providing resources • Over 40 join together to help people take small steps at home. monthly to pray for our • Care Ministry equips members to be better ministers Pastor, church, staff, and in the church. We have trained over 80 Care Ministers ministries. so far.
36 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 37 Serve Dallas
Serve Dallas is a churchwide opportunity to gather and make a difference in our community by serving through Prison our local mission partners like Austin Street, Manna House, Exodus, Our Calling, Union Gospel Mission, Ministry Bonton Farms, and Salvation Army. The First Dallas Prison Ministry 132 • We had our largest Serve sends trained volunteers to current Inmate Dallas this year with over and recently released inmates Professions 200 people serving 11 of to teach, share the gospel, form of faith our local mission partners relationships, and truly make a throughout DFW. difference in their lives.
• Our prison ministry volunteer team grew by 28%.
• 107 inmates rededicated their lives to Christ.
38 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 39 “AND HE SAID TO THEM, ‘GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL CREATION.’” INFLUENCE —MARK 16:15 Pathway to Victory grew and reached more people all over our nation and world this year.
• Released Dr. Jeffress’ brand-new book, A Place Called Heaven for Kids. • Expanded into prime-time spots six days a week on TBN and every day on the Hillsong Channel. • Expanded to six days a week on the Cornerstone Television Network. • Joined the Blount Radio Network in New England. • Joined the Fox Nation network. • Continued to air every Sunday on the American Forces Network.
40 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 41 First Dallas 90.9 KCBI
90.9 KCBI is a ministry of First Dallas and the leading iCampus teaching station in America, reaching over 320,000 The First Dallas iCampus is an incredible ministry that listeners every week in North Texas. We are committed allows us to reach people all over our nation and world to sharing encouraging music, words of hope from with the gospel and connect them with our church. God’s Word, and influencing our community. • Gave 4,500 Bibles to Texas inmates. • 16,303 iCampus Average Attendance • Saved 1,277 through the Pre-Born ministry. • 55% Growth Over 2018 • Built 5 homes with Habitat for Humanity. • 10,973 Decisions for Christ • Donated 2,900 shoes to Buckner Shoes for • 32,458 on Freedom Sunday (highest attendance in 2019) Orphan Souls. • Won the Large Market Radio Public Service Award. • Added 4 new teaching programs.
42 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 43 Kenya
A team of 10 nurses, pastors, and lay people ministered in Guatemala the Great Rift Valley We sent two teams to Guatemala to of Kenya this summer. minister through medicine, VBS, and building homes. • 909 Professions of Faith
• 1,200 Received • 98 Professions of Faith Medical Care • 602 Received Medical Care • 4 Churches Planted • 430 Children Attended VBS in Maasai Lands • 10 Homes Built and Furnished
44 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 45 Amazon Belize
This summer, our single Our College and Career team adults ministered to people served the people of San along the Amazon River. Roman, Belize, including hosting a daily Vacation Bible School for 150 kids. 10 8 Professions Professions of Faith of Faith
46 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 47 Horner Family Center Update
In January, we officially broke ground on the two-level expansion of our family center. We look forward to ministering to those the Lord will bring as we create more space.
FIRST DALLAS STORIES Sarah was not living God’s best for her life. When she was invited to First Baptist Dallas by one of her old high school friends, she decided to come. After two weeks of coming to worship, she heard Dr. Jeffress’ message and realized she had never truly accepted God’s forgiveness. The next week, she was baptized during the service. Her life has been forever changed.
Leah has watched Pathway to Victory on television over the years. When she received Dr. Jeffress’ book on heaven, she shared it with her dad. While reading the book, her dad told Leah, “Did you know that that guy (Dr. Jeffress) said that even good people will go to hell?” This opened up a conversation between Leah and her dad as he was lying in a hospital bed a month before he died. She shared how much Jesus loved him. They prayed together and her dad prayed to receive Christ! Leah is thankful for the ministry of Pathway to Victory and the resources provided that helped her share the gospel.
48 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 49 MISSION 1:8 A LOOK AHEAD TO 2020 GENERATION NOW I hope you have been encouraged as we took a brief look back at all God did at First Baptist GOAL: $82 MILLION Dallas in 2019. I am excited for what lies ahead (DEC. 1, 2018-NOV. 30, 2020) in the coming year.
Your faithfulness to give has been incredible! We are focused on reaching the world with Because of your giving, we have yet to incur any God’s Word, and next year promises to be debt on our new expansion and have been able to eventful and hopefully fruitful as we seek to fully fund our ministries and seize new opportunities fulfill our mission to transform the world. I am to reach people for Christ. confident that it will be another year of growth and incredible ministry for our church as we stand firm as a light in our culture.
Thank you for your faithfulness to be part of what God is doing. I look forward to all the ways 55% RECEIVED God will work through YOU in 2020. Gratefully,
DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS SENIOR PASTOR PERCENTAGE GIVEN PERCENTAGE
50 ONE LIFE AT A TIME | A YEAR IN REVIEW FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DALLAS | 2019 51 Dr. Robert Jeffress Senior Pastor
1707 San Jacinto | Dallas, TX 75201 | firstdallas.org
OCTOBER 2018-SEPTEMBER 2019