Who We Are

First Baptist Dallas is built on the Bible and continues its mission to transform the world with God’s Word…one life at a time.

About First Baptist Dallas

Located in the heart of downtown, First Baptist Dallas is built on the Bible and continues its mission to transform the world with God’s Word…one life at a time.

As a multi-generational church community, we meet needs through a variety of worship experiences, Sunday School and discipleship options, mission opportunities, fellowship, and outreach events.

There is always something happening here, and we would love to help you get connected!





History



The cornerstone of First Baptist Dallas was laid in 1890 by a small group of believers determined to begin a Baptist church in downtown Dallas. Under the leadership of legendary pastors and teachers like George W. Truett and W.A. Criswell, First Baptist Dallas became an anchor in the Christian community, a church known for a firm foundation built on the Bible.

Led by Dr. Robert Jeffress since 2007, we continue that legacy today. Dr. Jeffress ushered in a new season of ministry at the church that reinforces our calling to reach our city, nation, and world for Christ through four primary courses of action:

Worship
We currently offer two Choir and Orchestra led services, a Day One band-led service, and an online experience through our First Dallas iCampus.

Equip
Members and visitors will find active, thriving Sunday School classes for every age and life stage. Our Discipleship University ministry offers two semesters of classes on Sunday evenings.

Serve
It is our goal to equip, empower, and deploy every member of our body to serve in the role and gifting to which the Lord has called them.

Influence
We pierce the darkness with the light of God’s Word to the uttermost parts of the world.


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As a church that is built on
the Bible, we believe in:

  • God

    We recognize that there is one and only one living and true God, who exists in three persons — Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit — but without division of nature, essence, or being. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1; John 1:14)

  • FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNITY

    We will actively pursue personal, family, and staff relationships characterized by integrity, mutual accountability, mutual serving, mutual encouragement, and mutual honoring. (Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7-11)

  • Authority of Scripture

    We value Bible-centered preaching and teaching as the foundation for all that we do. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

  • LIFE TRANSFORMATION

    We will provide opportunities for every believer to develop a Christian worldview and thus engage the culture wherein he lives, works, and interacts. (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28)

  • Worship

    We will seek to praise and worship Him passionately—as individuals, as families, and as a local church. (John 4:23-24)

  • Every Member Ministry

    We will develop lay leaders who will function effectively in their respective roles of service and, in turn, train and mentor other believers for ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

  • Prayer

    We will intentionally seek to set aside specific times for private, family, and corporate prayer. (Matthew 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

  • Personal Evangelism/Missions

    We will endeavor to share the message of salvation with all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status in our local community and throughout the world. (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

  • FAMILY

    We encourage lifelong commitments to marriage between one man and one woman; we support the ongoing spiritual nurture of the family; and we are committed to honoring the priority of family time through our ministries and activities. (Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:22-6:4)

  • Stewardship

    We encourage every member to adopt a lifestyle of stewardship that recognizes God’s ownership of everything and to practice the biblical principle of tithing (giving at least one-tenth of one’s income) to support the work of the church. (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10)

  • View our Church Articles of Faith


Our Pastor



 Dr. Robert Jeffress is Senior Pastor of the 16,000-member First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and a Fox News Contributor. He is also an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. 

Dr. Jeffress has made more than 4,000 guest appearances on various radio and television programs and regularly appears on major mainstream media outlets such as Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends,” “Hannity,” “Fox News @ Night,” “Varney & Co.,” and HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” 

Dr. Jeffress is Bible teacher and host of a daily radio program, Pathway to Victory, heard nationwide on over 1,000 stations in major markets such as Dallas-Fort Worth, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Seattle. 

Dr. Jeffress hosts a daily television program, Pathway to Victory, that can be seen Monday through Friday on the Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) and every Saturday and Sunday on TBN as well as daily on the Hillsong Channel and Sundays on Daystar. Pathway to Victory is the highest-rated ministry program on TBN. Dr. Jeffress’ television broadcast reaches 195 countries and is on 11,295 cable and satellite systems throughout the world. 

Dr. Jeffress is the author of 30 books including A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN: 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home; COURAGEOUS: 10 Strategies for Thriving in a Hostile World; 18 MINUTES WITH JESUS: Straight Talk from the Savior About the Things That Matter Most; andWHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW: 10 Core Beliefs for Standing Strong in a Shifting World, released January 2023. 

Dr. Jeffress led the congregation in the completion of a $135 million re-creation of its downtown campus. The project is the largest in modern church history and serves as a “spiritual oasis” covering six blocks of downtown Dallas.

Dr. Jeffress graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a D.Min., a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a B.S. degree from Baylor University. In May 2010, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. In June 2011, Dr. Jeffress received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Jeffress and his wife Amy have two daughters and three grandchildren.


Executive Team



  • Senior Pastor

    Dr. Robert Jeffress


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  • Executive Pastor

    Dr. Ben Lovvorn


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  • Executive Pastor of Ministries

    Ryland Whitehorn


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  • Minister of Music & Worship

    Dr. Tyler Brinson


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  • Associate Executive Pastor

    Guy Shafer


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  • Executive Director of Communications and Broadcast

    Nate Curtis


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  • Executive Director of Administration

    Jill Sullivan


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  • Minister of Pastoral Care & Counseling

    Alan Lynch


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  • Director of Finance and Accounting

    Sherryn Cates


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Why Join?

Hear a word from our Pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress, on the importance of joining a church.



Interested in Membership?

Fill out this form if you would like to learn more about joining the First Baptist Dallas family.