Video footage has emerged showing a massive fire at a Dallas megachurch associated with Robert Jeffress, a pastor and ally of Donald Trump.
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at Dallas’ First Baptist church on Friday shortly after 6 p.m. fire engines, three trucks and two rescues.
This was later upgraded to a 4th alarm as the fire worsened.
The fire, which was large enough to be seen from across the city, caused the historic church’s secondary chapel to partially collapse, officials said.
Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool via Getty Images
Jeffress said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that no one was injured in the fire to his knowledge.
Video footage posted to social media of the fire showed parts of the church engulfed in flames, with dark gray smoke filling the sky above.
Everyone please raise our SBC family at First Baptist Dallas today.
The historic sanctuary was engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire (or injuries) is still unknown.
Pray for Dr. Jeffress, members, & safety of first responders.
pic.twitter.com/5ndeHT0pVY— Baptist Leadership Center (@BaptistLeaders) July 20, 2024
Ben Lovvorn, executive pastor of First Baptist Dallas, said The Dallas Morning News who believed the fire started shortly after 6 pm but said he did not know the cause.
Lovvorn said he was one of the last people in the building.
“We know that God is in control, and we know that even in difficult times, he is in control of all things,” he said. “If possible, we plan to go to church on Sunday.”
First Baptist Dallas began in 1868 with just three men and eight women, according to a story marking its 150th anniversary.
The church now has more than 16,000 members and says its mission is to change the world with the word of God one life at a time through its ministry, including the international broadcast Pathway to Victory and its iCampus, which reaches millions of listeners and viewers worldwide.
Robert Jeffress, who has been a close ally of Trump for years, is the church’s senior pastor.
“PLEASE pray for our Church,” said X after the fire. “We have experienced a fire in the Historic Sanctuary. To our knowledge, no one was hurt or injured, and we thank God for protection.
He continued: “He is king even in the most difficult times. ‘And we know that God causes all things for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.’ – Romans 8:28 We will continue to know that we are getting ready to gather for worship.”
In a later statement, he said no lives were lost. “We are thankful that no lives have been lost that we know of even though we only have 2,000 kids and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School,” he said.
“Although it is tragic to lose this old sanctuary, we are thankful that the church is not made of bricks and wood, but is made up of more than 16,000 people who are more than determined to reach the world for the Gospel of Christ. Please pray for all. of First Baptist Dallas.”
Jeffress was one of former President Donald Trump’s most prominent Christian advisers and frequently visited the White House during his presidency.
Trump visited Dallas’ First Baptist church in December 2021, with Jeffress referring to Trump several times during the visit as one of his closest friends and describing him as “the greatest president since Ronald Reagan, News reported.
He is not endorsing Trump in 2024, saying he believes the Republican primary will be a “knife war” and that he does not want to get involved in that fight.
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