Generous Donation Sparks New Hope for Historic Church Rebuild
In a significant boost to a cherished community landmark, David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, has pledged $7 million to aid in the reconstruction of the historic sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas. This donation comes as a pivotal development for the church, located in downtown Dallas, as it aims to recover from the catastrophic fire that occurred in July 2024.
The announcement was made during a recent Sunday service, delivered by Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress. This financial contribution is a crucial part of the church’s ambitious campaign to gather $95 million, aiming to restore the sanctuary and enhance the church’s ministries.
Pastor Jeffress, before elaborating on his latest sermon series, shared how Green’s financial backing evolved from a matching grant to an outright donation. “A couple of months ago, you remember David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, came to visit us, and he loves our church. He loves what our church stands for,” Jeffress recounted, expressing appreciation for Green’s exception in supporting a local church.
Despite the Hobby Lobby Foundation’s typical focus on international charities, Green recognized the broad impact of First Baptist Church’s global ministry. He emphasized the church’s mission by stating, “Pastor, your church is about winning people to Jesus. And that’s what we love at Hobby Lobby. We want to win as many people to Jesus as quickly as we can. And that’s what you’re doing. And we want to play a part in the rebuilding of that historic sanctuary.”
Green’s offer initially included a $7 million matching grant, which was soon matched by a dedicated church family. Jeffress narrated this occurrence with humor, noting that Green’s check was promptly dispatched following the commitment. “We’re close to what we’re going to need to do this completely debt-free,” Jeffress noted, receiving an enthusiastic response from the congregation.
The funds arrive at a crucial time for the church, a Southern Baptist institution with a storied history dating back to 1868. First Baptist Dallas, which spans six city blocks and hosts over 16,000 members, offers various programs and a popular “Pathway to Victory” broadcast that reaches millions globally.
Following the severe damage inflicted by the July 2024 fire, which included a roof collapse and partial damage to an adjacent chapel, the church has persevered. Despite these challenges, the church was voted “best church” in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in October.
Looking ahead, Pastor Jeffress shared plans to introduce practical enhancements, such as a “giant escalator and staircase” in the Crystal Center, estimating the total reconstruction cost to be around $27 million. “Now, that’s worth applauding, isn’t it? That will be fixed and there’ll be so many other great features,” he remarked.
Concluding the service, Jeffress expressed heartfelt thanks to Green and encouraged ongoing support from the congregation. “I first of all want to publicly thank a great Christian, David Green, and the Green family for what they’ve done for our church,” he expressed, humorously remarking on his newfound appreciation for Hobby Lobby visits. “We appreciate and love David and Hobby Lobby,” he added, emphasizing gratitude and faith in the church’s continued mission.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
