DALLAS — A Nov. 24 update during a worship service asked members of First Baptist Church to give toward its missions offering that will also go toward the rebuild of its historic sanctuary damaged in a July fire.

Calling the rebuild a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for the church to expand its efforts to reach others, Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress noted that insurance will only cover the cost of what was damaged. Members are asked to reach a $27 million goal toward a project that could exceed $100 million.

Debris removal remains ongoing and the church needs to be ready for the rebuild.

“We’ve got to decide if we’re going to take advantage of this opportunity or not,” he said.

Dallas Fire and Rescue responded to a 6:05 p.m. call on July 19 to a fire at the church’s historic sanctuary. That area was the home of First Dallas’ weekly contemporary service. The Victorian-style, red brick sanctuary building was erected in 1890 and was a recognized Texas Historic Landmark.

The church met the following Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center nearby. Despite the destruction from the four-alarm fire, a historic pulpit used by many including George Truett and W.A. Criswell emerged intact from the flames.

In a Nov. 13 update the church shared that arson has been ruled out, though investigators have not come to a conclusion regarding a specific cause.

Sunday’s update called for members to give sacrificially to the church’s Mission 1:8 One Desire offering goal of $95 million. An amount of $68 million is marked for the 2025 and 2026 ministry budget and after those are covered, $27 million will go toward the project for rebuilding the historic sanctuary and further enhancing church space.

The rebuild will include utilizing stained glass and walls preserved from the fire and a larger steeple to reflect original construction plans. Other upgrades include expanded fellowship space and a new multipurpose venue capable of seating 500.

The lobby leading into the sanctuary will incorporate the historic walls as well as an interior historic entryway. The sanctuary itself will be inspired by the 1908 design with stained glass, the pulpit, pipe organs and baptistry accompanying updated acoustics and technology.

The sanctuary rebuild will be “fully integrated into our campus” explained a video during the church service.

“God is making history. This is going to be a historic moment in the life of our church,” said Ben Lovvorn, senior executive pastor. “He is making history that the world is watching and you, church family, have the opportunity to be a part of making history.”

Mission 1:8 One Desire funds First Baptist’s local ministry and efforts throughout the world such as church planting, media and other missions.

Saying that it didn’t feel right to go into debt over the rebuild, Jeffress challenged members to “vote with our pocketbooks” and urged them to pray about what to give on Dec. 15 with their commitment card.

“You have risen to every challenge, every need,” he said. “In 156 years, there’s never been a time [when] the First Baptist Church of Dallas didn’t do the right thing — the God-glorifying thing — and I believe you’re going to do it this time.”

This article has been republished with permission from Baptist Press.

Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.