After the historic sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, led by Pastor Robert Jeffress, was engulfed in flames on Friday evening around 6 p.m., former President Donald Trump reached out to offer his support. The fire, which started with a call to Dallas Fire and Rescue, quickly escalated into a four-alarm blaze that took over three hours to put out. Thankfully, there were no injuries or fatalities resulting from the fire at the sanctuary that had been in use since the 1890s.
The fire’s cause remains undetermined, and the investigation, involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is still ongoing.
Despite being an enthusiastic supporter of Trump, Pastor Jeffress told local media that he does not believe his backing of the former president is connected to the fire.
Notably, he mentioned that Trump is extending his support in response to the tragic fire.
“I don’t believe my support for President Trump has anything to do with this fire,” Jeffress told KTVT-TV. “I did receive a nice note from the president, who has spoken here before at our church. He offered his help to do anything he could.”
Established in 1868, First Baptist Church Dallas has a rich history, boasting esteemed members such as Billy Graham. Its historic sanctuary has welcomed visits from numerous presidents, including Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush. Currently, around 16,000 Christians are proud members of FBC Dallas. The historical importance of the church’s sanctuary for Baptists is immense. Clint Pressley, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, likened the church’s historic sanctuary to the SBC’s version of Notre Dame.
“If the SBC had a Notre Dame it would be FBC Dallas. This is heartbreaking. Praying the Lord is merciful,” Pressley said.
However, in contrast to the Notre Dame cathedral which was rebuilt after a fire devastated the historic sanctuary five years ago, FBC Dallas’ historic sanctuary may need to be demolished if engineers find that the fire has compromised its structural integrity. Despite this unfortunate development, Jeffress remains optimistic and holds onto his hopeful Christian outlook.
“As tragic as the loss of this old sanctuary is, we are grateful that the church is not bricks and wood but composed of over 16,000 people who are determined more than ever before to reach the world for the gospel of Christ,” he said in a statement.
Plus, the pastor is thanking God because thousands of students had been in the historic sanctuary not long before the fire broke out.
“That’s a miraculous protection by God to spare not only those children but any lost lives,” he told WTVT.
