First Dallas announces launch of First Dallas en Español

DALLAS—First Baptist Dallas announced during an Aug. 6 luncheon that it is launching an all-Spanish ministry, First Dallas en Español, for the first time in the church’s more than 150-year history.

The luncheon attracted 350 Hispanics from more than 18 Spanish-speaking countries who expressed an interest in being part of the new ministry.

There are about 64 million Hispanics in the U.S., of which about 12 million live in Texas. Forty-two percent of Dallas’ population is Hispanic.

“At First Baptist Dallas, we believe the church should resemble heaven—filled with people of all different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ together,” said Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Dallas. “Today, First Dallas is already one of the most diverse congregations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and we are excited to see how God will use First Dallas en Español to minister to the Hispanic community in Dallas and around the world.”

The kickoff luncheon started with a time of prayer, followed by an introduction of the ministry by Ryland Whitehorn, executive pastor of ministries at First Dallas. He addressed participants and gave a warm welcome to the pastor of First Dallas en Español, Humberto González, and his family.

“I am really excited about this ministry. This is the result of many years of prayer. We want this church to be at the heart of First Dallas,” Whitehorn said. He added that First Dallas has been praying for a complete ministry in Spanish and, in calling González, “found a man with the same passion and vision.”

“We fully support Humberto’s mission and vision, will provide resources, money, etc., for this ministry,” Whitehorn said. “We are one family and we are going to reach this city for Christ. First Dallas is committed to doing what it takes to reach our Hispanic community.”

First Dallas en Español will offer Sunday school completely in Spanish for children and adults of all ages. The ministry will be focused on accomplishing the Great Commission by reaching first-, second-, and third-generation Hispanics, including those who only speak English, through the church’s four key strategies: worship, equip, serve, and influence.

“We are making history at First Dallas,” González said. “This will be your home for biblical truth in community. First Baptist Dallas serves at the heart of downtown Dallas and now it will also serve and be the home for Hispanics from all over the world.”