Reminds Attendees Jesus Christ is Our Ultimate Source of Strength and Hope
DALLAS, Dec. 19, 2021 – President Donald J. Trump today attended a special Christmas-themed worship service at First Baptist Dallas and provided a Christmas greeting at the end of the service.
Following a medley of Christmas hymns by the First Dallas Choir and Orchestra, including the “Hallelujah Chorus,” Trump was welcomed to the worship center.
Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Dallas, and President Donald J. Trump, enter the First Dallas worship center on Dec. 19, 2021.
“I’ve known him for seven years and count him as one of my closest friends,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress in introducing the 45th President. “He is not only a great friend of mine but a great friend of this church and Christians everywhere. I can say unequivocally he is the most pro-life, pro-religious liberty and pro-Israel President in the history of the United States of America.”
A packed house of more than 4,000 attended the Dec. 19 service, which was also livestreamed and watched by hundreds of thousands online. Jeffress shared a message titled “What If There Were No Christmas?” during which he challenged individuals to consider what the world would be like if Jesus Christ was never born.
“Because Jesus Christ did come 2,000 years ago at Bethlehem, we have a Bible filled with prophecies that have been fulfilled. We have a Savior who has paid for our sins once and for all. We have a friend in heaven who understands us, and most of all we have a hope waiting for us beyond the grave,” Jeffress said. “That’s the message of Christmas.”
Following the sermon, recognizing Trump’s love for Christmas and commitment during his time in office to making it politically correct to say Christmas again, Jeffress invited him to share remarks from his heart.
“I’m thrilled to be here with you today … at First Baptist Church, which is a respected place of worship all over the world because of what you’ve done ... I have to just start by wishing everyone a very, very Merry Christmas,” Trump said. “Our country needs a Savior, and our country has a Savior; and that’s not me but someone much higher up than me. Much higher.”
Today was Trump’s first visit to First Dallas. He remarked he and the First Lady would love to return for a visit again to the beautiful First Dallas worship center.
President Donald J. Trump today delivers a Christmas greeting at the end of a special Christmas-themed service at First Baptist Dallas on Dec. 19, 2021.
“The life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ forever changed the world,” Trump said. “It’s impossible to think of the life of our own country without the influence of His example and His teachings. Our miraculous founding … and the United States ultimately becoming a truly great nation and we’re gonna keep it that way ... but none of this could have ever happened without Jesus Christ and His followers and His church. None of it. And we have to remember that Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of our strength and of our hope.”
Trump previously spoke in 2017 at the church’s annual “Celebrate Freedom” rally held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, during which the church honored veterans and emphasized the importance of religious liberty.
Jeffress was one of the first evangelical pastors to support Trump’s candidacy in 2015. He subsequently preached the sermon at Trump’s Presidential Inauguration worship service and served as an informal advisor to the President during his time in office.
Since 1867, First Dallas has been a vital spiritual beacon proclaiming biblical truth and transforming lives with God’s Word—not only in Dallas but across the nation and around the world. The 14,000-member congregation is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and political views. Throughout its 154-year history, First Dallas has hosted Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush to worship with them and share personal messages of faith.
“The focus of our entire service was on Jesus Christ and His birth. That was the theme of the music and the message, and we are just glad the President wanted to be here and worship with us,” said Jeffress during a press conference following the service.
The Dec. 19th First Dallas 11 a.m. worship service can be watched online through the First Dallas website. The church will hold two Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. CST. For information, visit firstdallas.org.
About First Baptist Dallas
The mission of First Baptist Dallas is to transform the world with God’s Word one life at a time. The cornerstone of the church 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 Dallas became an anchor in the Christian community as a church known for a firm foundation built on the Bible. Led by Dr. Robert Jeffress since 2007, the church continues that legacy today with ministry that reinforces its calling to reach Dallas, the Nation, and the world for Christ. For more information, visit firstdallas.org.
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