Seventy-two years. That is how long Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church has stood at its current location. It marks a journey of service. It marks a journey of dedication to the Dallas community.
Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church has a rich history. Its story began in 1876 on Gano Street. Eighteen members formed the original congregation. The church quickly started its mission. They founded Dallas Junior Academy. The church constructed a small two-room school next door. This served twelve children.
As the congregation expanded, Dallas First SDA moved. Its new location was on Live Oak Street. It stayed there for a while. In 1950, it established itself on North Central Expressway. This location spanned five lots. Shortly after, a new school building was erected. Tomasia Leatherwood remembers being baptized here in 1953 at the age of ten. She is the resident historian of Dallas First SDA.
Over the decades, Dallas First SDA has seen Dallas grow. The city’s population boomed. It went from 866000 in 1950 to over 7.6 million in 2022. Despite these changes, Dallas First SDA stayed put. It embraced its central location. It leveraged the ministry opportunities.
Pastor André Gonçalves once said the church’s location was vital. He noted its impressive 70-year presence in an urban area. Many churches would have moved to the suburbs. Dallas First SDA chose to remain. They did not want to lose the immense ministry opportunity they had.
Dallas First SDA has always served its community. Besides Dallas Christian Academy, it supports community projects. God’s Closet, God’s Table, a homeless ministry, and community basketball are examples. These reflect their commitment.
Diversity defines Dallas First SDA. Nearly two dozen ethnic groups are represented. The church celebrates its members’ cultural backgrounds. It fosters understanding. Tomasia Leatherwood says that they need to love and serve each other regardless of differences if they all plan to go to heaven.
Since its founding, Dallas First SDA has been pivotal. It helped establish other churches in the DFW area. Many pastors and their families called it home. Many have risen to leadership in conference and union offices across North America.
The church wants to inspire other congregations. It shows that even on a small scale, good things are possible. Collaboration is key. One of the leaders states that throughout their 146 years, they have tried to be good stewards. They are not large or wealthy. They are certainly not perfect. But they want to be a positive example for other churches.
Dallas First SDA is committed to community outreach. It focuses on evangelism. It does this through outreach, prayer, and relationships. Tomasia Leatherwood concludes they cannot imagine going backward. They must only move forward.
Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church is a beacon of hope. It radiates Christ’s light through kindness. It embodies unity and love. It prepares for His soon return. Their mission is to emulate Jesus’ love. They meet needs and encourage others to follow Jesus. This is how Dallas First SDA loves Dallas. They love first.