NEW! Two-day Annual Meeting schedule begins Monday at 6:15 p.m. as a joint session concluding with the final session of the Pastors’ Conference. Tuesday’s meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:15 p.m. Discover more at absc.org/absc25
ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
7 Cooperative ministry reports from ABSC
7 Praise reports from ABSC agencies and institutions
7 Master’Singers in concert
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
7 Meet church planters at Mission Connection, 6:00 p.m. Sunday at FBC Russellville to learn how your church can partner with their work. Includes dinner; preregistration required: absc.org/missionconnection
7 Young Leaders Lunch, 12:00 noon Tuesday in the fellowship hall at FBC Russellville; preregistration required
7 Coffee area and exhibits in the gym during all sessions
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Mark Dance, our new ABSC Executive Director (see pages 4–5), has during his four decades in ministry pastored churches in four unique contexts: a revitalization, a replant, a relocation, and two interims. He served as the Lead Pastor of Second Baptist in Conway for over 13 years. Additionally, Dance is the cofounding leader of the Care4Pastors Network and author of “Start to Finish.”
He has earned degrees from Howard Payne University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dance shared with the search team that his heart is to minister to pastors and their churches in such a way that they would feel like the most important church in the Convention.
Ryan T. Johnson has been the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Elkins since November 28, 2021. After coming to faith in 2009 at Camp Siloam, Ryan attended the University of Central Arkansas, where he was active in Conway BCM. Upon graduation, Ryan moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received an M.Div. in Christian Ministries, a Th.M., and a Ph.D. in New Testament. During his master’s degree, Ryan focused on a combination of biblical studies and church revitalization, and his doctorate focused on the Gospel of Matthew. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys golf, reading, and watching Arkansas sports.
Ryan T. Johnson
Mark Dance
MONDAY CONFERENCES BOTH BEGIN WITH LUNCH AT 12:00 NOON
PASTORS’ CONFERENCE
In a world full of distractions, discouragement, and spiritual drift, God is calling His people to return to the heart of what matters most—an undivided devotion to Him.
Undivided: A Whole Heart for a Holy God is more than just a conference—it’s a space and time intentionally set aside for pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams to recalibrate, refocus, and renew their hearts before a holy God. Come ready to lift your voice and be refreshed in God’s presence as Cory Epps, known for leading God’s people with authenticity, leads in worship.
Pastors’ Conference President John Venable said, “We’re honored to welcome two incredible communicators of God’s Word: Ed Newton, lead pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, whose passion for the Gospel and heart for pastors will challenge and uplift you, as well as John Meador, Lead Pastor of Cross City Church in Euless, Texas, who brings deep wisdom and a prophetic call to wholehearted, holy living in ministry.
“In a time when the pressures of leadership can pull hearts in every direction, this conference is a call to return—to rekindle your love for Jesus, to realign your priorities, and to be reminded that God is not after performance, but purity. Not perfection, but pursuit.
“Whether you’re weary, thriving, or somewhere in between, the 2025 Pastors’ Conference is a place to be with other pastors who know the weight of the calling, and who long to carry it with integrity, joy, and a whole heart.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience God’s renewing power and leave encouraged, equipped, and undivided.
MINISTERS’
WIVES CONFERENCE
One of the best ways we, as minister’s wives, can walk through life is by choosing to live “undivided.”
Living Undivided often means reordering our pursuits and making sure we’re chasing what truly matters. We must regularly ask ourselves: Are we living undivided in our walk with the Lord?
It’s easy to become divided—pulled between the world and our relationship with Jesus. But we remain undivided when we keep our eyes on Him. Life is busy, and the world has a way of stretching us thin—our time, our relationships, and even our faith can feel scattered.
One powerful way to stay grounded is through the encouragement of others. We need time with women who walk similar paths— those who understand the unique joys and challenges of ministry life.
We are excited to gather with ministers’ wives from across the state to encourage one another, pray together, and build meaningful relationships. This year, we have a special treat—Carla Sibley from Watkinsville, Georgia, will be joining us. Carla has served faithfully alongside her husband Carlos for 35 years, wearing many hats in ministry. She is a true blessing to everyone around her, and we can’t wait for you to meet her.
Make plans now to join us for a beautiful lunch and a refreshing time together at the Ministers’ Wives Conference. Be sure to register today. We can’t wait to see you there!
Cory Epps
Ed Newton
John Meador
Carla Sibley
MEET
THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
Unanimously approved by the ABSC Executive Board on August 19, Dr. Mark Dance began serving as Executive Director of the ABSC on October 1. Dr. Dance comes to the ABSC from GuideStone, where he served as Director of Pastoral Wellness. Prior to that he was an Associate Vice President at Lifeway and served as a local church pastor for 30 years and 10 years as a pastoral ministry leader.
What excites you most about leading the ABSC at this particular time?
It has been a decade since we lived and served in Arkansas, so I am most excited about reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. I look forward to hearing from pastors and ministry partners about what God is doing in Arkansas, as well as how ABSC staff can help them fulfill their mission. My desire is to lead like Nehemiah, who took time with some leaders to assess the condition of Jerusalem before declaring a bold, visionary plan (Nehemiah 2).
Dr. Mark Dance
What’s your personal story of how you came to Jesus?
I grew up in Tyler, Texas, in a family that was deeply rooted in the ministry of Green Acres Baptist Church. Dad was a faithful deacon and small group teacher, and Mom worked at the BCM at Tyler Junior College. At 15 years of age, our youth group attended Camp Ozark in Mount Ida where I gave my life to Jesus on June 12, 1980. I was immediately discipled and given opportunities to evangelize and disciple other teens in Tyler as well as Belize, Kenya, and Japan as a summer missionary.
How did you feel called to this leadership role?
The process of discerning and following God’s call to serve Arkansas Baptists was not easy or obvious at first because I loved my ministry to pastors through GuideStone. After a few months of prayer, periodic fasting, and discussions, the Lord gradually revealed His perfect will to the search team, as well as to Janet and me.
What hobbies or personal interests do you enjoy?
Janet and I love to play outside, so the Natural State is the perfect playground for us. Janet is an experienced backpacker, and I am an avid bowhunter. I enjoy playing tennis and have competed on high school, college, and adult teams.
What do you want Arkansas Baptists to know about you?
I am nothing more, or less, than a pastor by calling. The privilege of pastoring churches for three decades preceded a decade of pastoring pastors with Lifeway and Guidestone. Janet and I are thrilled that this next season of pastoral ministry will be in Arkansas because there is no place we have felt more at home in our entire marriage and ministry.
A LIFE OF SERVICE QUICK FACTS ABOUT DR. DANCE
7 Dance is the 36th executive director in the 177-year history of the Convention that began in 1848.
7 Dance comes to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from GuideStone, where he served as Director of Pastoral Wellness.
7 Dance is the cofounding leader of the Care4Pastors Network and author of “Start to Finish.”
7 Dance grew up in Tyler, Texas, at Green Acres Baptist Church. At age 15, Dance gave his life to Christ at Camp Ozark in Mount Ida on June 12, 1980.
7 Dance has earned degrees from Howard Payne University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
7 Dance and his wife, Janet, met in college and were a “bonafide BCM couple.” They have two adult children, Holly and Brad
Mark with wife Janet
Mark and Janet with children Brad and Holly
Lottie Moon
Christmas
Offering & Week of Prayer
NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 7
Every day thousands of people enter eternity without the hope of Jesus. Please join us as we observe the Week of Prayer for International Missions, where Southern Baptists pray for IMB missionaries, their ministries and the unreached people and places they serve.
imb.org/lottiemoon
ECON 2026
JANUARY 26–27
Make plans to attend the 2026 Statewide Conference on Evangelism+Church Health where you will hear speakers who will encourage and challenge.
absc.org/econ
PraizFest 2026
JANUARY 30–31
There is eternal value in equipping the next generation in biblical worship and worship leading. Join us for this year’s PraizFest, a student weekend of worship and equipping.
absc.org/praizfest
Leadership Collective
FEBRUARY 7
Leadership Collective is a one-day workshop for women’s ministry leaders in Arkansas. Leadership Collective is the perfect place to find encouragement, ideas, inspiration, and friendship to strengthen your leadership journey! This will be a focused time for women who serve their local church as the leader of women’s ministry events, discipleship, small groups, and other activities for women.
absc.org/abwcollective
Worship Conference
FEBRUARY 21
Be equipped + encouraged for your worship ministry, no matter the capacity in which you are serving.
absc.org/wc
CISM Training
FEBRUARY 20–21
Those trained in Critical Incident Stress Management bring emotional first aid to those in need. By using simple debriefing skills, a trained individual helps a fellow responder work through the physical and emotional stress brought on by a critical incident.
absc.org/cism
Block Party Workshops
JANUARY 24, 31, AND FEBRUARY 7, 21
Block Party ministry is a great way to reach your local community. This workshop is for churches and associations that already have a block party ministry OR are going to host a block party using resources from a church or association.
absc.org/blockparty
MARCH 7
Save the date for the leadership and apologetics conference. Two events: one for middle school and one for high school and college students and their leaders. A conference designed to equip the next generation of leaders to develop and defend their faith.
absc.org/leaddefend
Help us help you.
Each year, Arkansas Baptist churches are asked to complete the Annual Church Profile (ACP) statistical survey. The Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and their agencies use the data collected to be aware of trends and plan ministry accordingly.
In late August, each church is provided with a packet that includes a paper copy of the questions and a definition of each along with a username and password unique to that church. Instructions are provided to complete the survey online along with instructions to register for the Annual Meeting of the ABSC. These numbers show a picture of how God is
at work in Arkansas through increased baptisms and worship attendance in recent years.
The leadership survey is open year-round, and churches are asked to make updates to their staff in “real time.” Having correct email and mailing addresses helps the teams of the ABSC to communicate pertinent information and opportunities.
We are grateful to those in your church who work to gather information and complete the statistical and leadership portions of the survey. If we may assist your church staff, please reach out to us at 501-376-4791.
THANK YOU, DR. REX HORNE
On October 20, Arkansas Baptists are invited to a reception honoring Dr. Rex and Mrs. Becky Horne in the gym at First Baptist Church in Russellville following the Monday evening session of the Pastors’ Conference and ABSC Annual Meeting.
Dr. Horne served as interim Executive Director of the Convention from December 2022 to October 2023 before taking the role on in full. In April 2025, Dr. Horne announced his decision to transition out of the position. In his announcement, he said, “I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of serving during these days of challenge and opportunity. I will be a better Arkansas Baptist after seeing our vast and important ministries up close.”
We thank Dr. Horne for his faithful leadership. His dedication and vision have been a tremendous blessing to this Convention. May the Lord bless and keep him and Mrs. Becky in this new season.
For more fellowship opportunities at the 2025 Annual Meeting, visit absc.org/absc25
