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 T grown 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.