DURHAM, N.C. — The Summit Church is set to make history by hosting the first-ever worship service at the Dean E. Smith Center at the University of North Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 21. This marks the first time a church has held an event at the iconic venue, traditionally home to the UNC Tar Heels basketball team.

The special “Church at the Dome” service will feature two identical gatherings at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., bringing together members from all Summit Church campuses across the Triangle into one space. The event is free and open to the public. 

“Our church has gathered at places like the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Red Hat Amphitheater and Walnut Creek before, but this will be unlike anything we’ve done,” said Pastor J.D. Greear, who has led The Summit Church since 2002. “To see 15,000 people at each service worshiping Jesus together in the Dean E. Smith Center — it’s something you’ll never forget. These are the kinds of moments that give people a sense they’re part of something historic that God is doing.”

Greear added that past gatherings have had lasting impact.

“At one of our previous events, 500 people were baptized in a single day,” Greear said. “Another time, a young girl wrestling with doubt leaned over to her dad and said, ‘With all of these people worshiping like this, it has to be true, right?’ Those are experiences you simply can’t replicate from your couch at home.”

For more information about “Church at the Dome,” including ticket reservations and event details, visit www.summitchurch.com.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Brendle Rink serves as director of strategic communications at The Summit Church.)