| Location | Dallas, Texas |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Non-denominational |
| Website | www.ibocchurch.org |
| Founded | 1990 (age 36) |
| Pastor | Rickie Rush |
The Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC) is a non-denominational megachurch in Dallas, Texas in the United States. A survey by Outreach Magazine in 2008 ranked the church 87th in the US based on weekly attendance of 7,500[1] and has since grown to 15,000 members.[2] It describes itself as a "high praising, high worship, Bible believing church".[3] The pastor is Rickie Rush.[4]
History
The church was founded and organized by Pastor Rickie Rush and nine others in 1990. Its first service was in October 1990. In 1991, the church bought its first building, the former Southern Bible Institute. In 2009, the church moved to its present location, a 176,000-square foot (16,400-square metre) facility on a 36-acre (150,000-square metre) campus.[4]
In 1995, it formed a radio ministry. On October 3, 1999, the IBOC church relocated to a $6 million, 176,000-square-foot campus in Dallas, Texas. The facility has an ice cream parlor, movie theater, fitness center, racquetball courts, bowling lanes, and a bridal venue.[5] In 2000, the church opened the IBOC Children's College for pre-schoolers, and in 2001 opened the IBOC Christian Academy for grades one to four.[4]
On November 26, 2009, IBOC moved into a new worship center featuring a 5,000-seat sanctuary, an aquarium, a chapel, children's facilities, a restaurant, and a gift shop.[5] The aquarium is the largest privately owned aquarium in the United States, holding 75,000 gallons of water, and was featured on Animal Planet's show, Tanked.[6][7][8][9]
At IBOC in January 2017, Veteran Dallas County Deputy Tracey Gully took the oath of office as Dallas County Precinct 1 Constable. Gulley is the first African-American Female Constable elected in Dallas County history.[10]
In April 2020, Pastor Rush was among the list of Dallas faith leaders who signed a letter in support of keeping churches closed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.[11]
The funeral service for 9-year-old for Ezra Blount, the youngest victim of the tragedy at the Astroworld Festival, was held at the Inspiring Body of Christ Church in Dallas in November 2021.[12]
Community Outreach
In response to a shooting that claimed the lives of five Dallas police officers, Pastor Rush founded the All Male Leadership Academy. Each level consists of 15 classes spanning four months, and topics include suicide prevention, marriage, anxiety, singleness, depression, child-rearing, and strength. On December 30, 2016, the first class of 302 men completed the first level of training.[13]
On July 30, 2017, IBOC and Pastor Rickie Rush held a candlelight vigil for all of the young, unknown victims of tragic, untimely deaths. During the event, the church offered support to parents, siblings, and friends grieving the loss of a young person close to them.[14]
In November 2020, the church donated over 1,000 turkeys and over 2,000 boxes of fresh food for those in need during the thanksgiving season.
In December 2020, the church committed $100,000 to senior citizens for rental assistance.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Top 100 Largest Churches". Outreach Magazine. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
- ^ Blair, Leonardo & Reporter, Senior (2020-12-01). "Dallas megachurch surprises seniors with rent help, commits to giving $100K at Thanksgiving service". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Inspiring Body of Christ Church". USA Churches. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
- ^ "About Us". Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
- ^ "IBOC Inspiring Body of Christ Church New Here Our History". www.ibocchurch.org. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Staff, C. I. (2015-07-14). "Dallas Church Aquarium Featured on Animal Planet Series 'Tanked'". Commercial Integrator. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Dallas Church Aquarium | Inspiring Body of Christ Dallas TX". www.ibocchurch.org. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Dallas church bridges community division with huge aquarium". CW33 Dallas / Ft. Worth. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "A Church Own The World Largest Privately-Owned Aquarium?". Praise Cleveland. 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Johnson, Joshua C. (2017-01-05). "Dallas County Elects First African American Female Constable". Focus Daily News. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Dallas faith leaders: Freedom of religion is not absolute". Dallas News. 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Staff, CBS DFW (2021-11-24). "Hundreds flock to Dallas church for funeral of youngest Astroworld victim". kwtx.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Johnson, Joshua C. (2017-01-16). "Inspiring Body Of Christ Program Promotes Proactive Male Leadership". Focus Daily News. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ LLC, The Church Online. "The Inspiring Body of Christ Church Set to Hold Candlelight Vigil, "Unknown Dead: Why Them?"". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.