JAN
20 24 Arkansas Baptist Life is the official newsletter of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
NEW YEAR HOLDS OPPORTUNITY FOR REFLECTION, REALIGNMENT Executive Director champions the goal to be efficient, effective, and enthusiastic BY DR. REX HORNE, ABSC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Each year holds the expected and
unexpected. The expected may include
Our work together is based on
trust. Trust is built or undermined day by day. It is not a one-time decision or event. Efficiency relating to our
ministry is serving well while operating
conservatively. Arkansas Baptists work
together. A part of our work is the support
given through the Cooperative Program and Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering. If we were to think of this in
Our convention staff is familiar with
my goal, which consists of three Es:
Efficient, Effective, and Enthusiastic.
old cliches used about the new year,
terms of a car, we would want maximum performance, great gas mileage, and few repairs! We will be efficient.
The second and third E continue
resolutions for the new year, or plans
this commitment. Effective may be a
year will bring the unexpected. There is
is to produce a desired result. The
all, it is unexpected, unplanned—an
believe the Lord has set it in the Great
I would not have expected to be serving
set by Arkansas Baptists to assist
of our state convention. I am blessed to
in missions involvement and support.
often said (and will continue to say!),
evidence is the joy we have in being
already established in this new year. The
little harder to quantify. It, by definition,
no way to predict the unexpected, after
key question is who sets the goal. I
unknown at present. A few months ago,
Commission. I think our work has been
Arkansas Baptists as Executive Director
churches and encourage the same
have this opportunity of service. As I have
Expect this! The enthusiasm we should called of the Lord to serve Him
I am a debtor to Arkansas Baptists for
by serving you, Arkansas
the impact you have had on
Baptists.
my life.
Thank you for
A new year is a time
to reflect on the past,
your prayers and
and dedicate oneself to
the Lord and you in
realign what is needed,
opportunities to serve
serving the Lord and a
this new year.
needy world.
ECON 2024 PAGES 2–3
PRAY FIRST PAGES 6–7
SPRING OUTREACH PAGE 9
Get everything you need to know— speakers, workshops, and more!
Prioritizing prayer helps us begin the new year with our eye on the prize.
Three big events to help Arkansas Baptists serve, invite, and celebrate with the people around us.
January
22–23
2024
New Life baptist church
Alexander, AR
GREETINGS! We are greatly anticipating the annual Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health—ECON, as we call it. The Evangelism + Church Health Team of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has been praying that these two days will offer inspiration, equipping, and encouragement in leading evangelism efforts in your church. Our team hopes to serve you well. We consider ECON to be one of those moments where collectively we, as ABSC churches, can hear from the Lord, worship Him, be in His presence, and go forward together in His Kingdom work. We are praying that the Lord will speak to each attendee specifically. Let’s pray together that this is not just another conference. “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.” —1 Corinthians 1:18 Warren Gasaway Team Leader, ABSC, Evangelism + Church Health and College + Young Leaders Team
Conference Schedule January 22–23 Monday
u 1:00 p.m. | Worship Session with Mark Clifton, Todd Kaunitz, and Fred Luter u 7:00 p.m. | Worship Session with Shane Pruitt
Tuesday
u 8:45 a.m. | Worship Session with Ken Whitten, Noe Garcia, and Nathan Lino u 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Tuesday Lunch + Workshops Pastors | Led by Nathan Lino Worship Leaders | Led by Joe Crider Next Gen (Children + Student Leaders) | Led by Shane Pruitt Ministers’ Wives + Women in Ministry | Led by Catherine Renfro Church Administration | Led by Arkansas Baptist Foundation
monday, january 22 more information + register for workshops
u absc.org/econ
9:30–11:30 a.m. check-in begins 9:00 a.m.
Prayer Workshop |Todd Kaunitz Workshop Church Revitalization |Mark Clifton u register at absc.org/econ
SPECIAL GUESTS
3 ABSC.ORG //////////////////////////////////////////////
MARK CLIFTON
KEN WHITTEN
TODD KAUNITZ
NOE GARCIA
Mark Clifton is the Senior Director of Replanting at the North American Mission Board. His experience includes serving as the Lead Mission Strategist for the Kansas/Nebraska Southern Baptist Convention, serving as a church planter in Montreal, Quebec, as a Southern Baptist National Church Planting Missionary for eastern Canada, and leading Southern Baptist church planting projects west of the Mississippi. Mark has been planting, replanting, and providing strategic mission leadership since 1978. Mark and his wife, Jill, live in Basehor, Kansas, and have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandsons.
Todd Kaunitz is the Lead Pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church, located in East Texas. Since his arrival in 2010, God has moved in a gracious way allowing New Beginnings to baptize more than 2,200 people. The church has grown from an average of 450 in weekly worship attendance into three campuses and more than 2,750 people. Todd is a pastor, conference speaker, and consultant who is passionate about leading people and churches to pursue God’s presence in prayer. A graduate of East Texas Baptist University, Todd and his wife, Adrian, have been married for 22 years and have three children.
FRED LUTER
Pastor Fred Luter, Jr., the first African American President of the Southern Baptist Convention, is the Senior Pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. One of Pastor Luter’s famous sayings at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church is, “It’s not about the pastor. It’s all about the Master.” On June 11, 2013, Pastor Luter was unanimously elected for the second time as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has been married to his “Prime Rib,” Elizabeth, since 1980, and they have two children and three grandchildren.
SHANE PRUITT
Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board. He and his wife, Kasi, reside in Texas, with their five children. He has been in ministry for over 20 years as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor. Shane is also a traveling communicator, evangelist, and Bible teacher. Every year he speaks to more than a hundred thousand people about the Good News of Jesus Christ. He is the author of two books: 9 Common Lies Christians Believe: And Why God’s Truth Is Infinitely Better and Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership. He is also one of the hosts of The Gensend Podcast.
Ken Whitten currently serves as the National Director of Pastoral Leadership with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Just as the late Pastor Adrian Rogers mentored Ken, he, too, enjoys mentoring up-and-coming pastors. Until this year, he served as Senior Pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida—a 33-year ministry that included two campus build outs, five church plants, and a current membership of nearly 14,000. He remarks that the strength of his ministry is Jesus and Ginny, in that order. He and Ginny, his wife of 47 years, have four children and 13 grandchildren.
Noe Garcia is the Senior Pastor at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his wife, Clancey, have been married since 2010 and have four children. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Executive Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves on the Evangelism team for the North American Mission Board, is a Trustee for Union University, serves on the ERLC leadership council team, and is a writer for Lifeway Voices blogs. He is passionate about reaching and equipping people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Phoenix and around the world.
NATHAN LINO
Nathan Lino founded Northeast Houston Baptist Church in 2002 and served as their Senior Pastor until 2022, when he began his tenure as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Forney. His ministry opportunities have taken him to more than 25 countries around the world. Nathan has served as President of the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention 2015–2017, First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and on the board of the International Mission Board. A fourth-generation African, Nathan became a Christian while attending Pinetown Baptist Church in Pinetown, South Africa. Nathan and his wife, Nicole, have been married since 1999 and have four children.
DAVID MCKINNEY AND CROSS CHURCH WORSHIP
Cross Church Worship is the worship ministry of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas. The worship ministry helps to accomplish the mission of Cross Church (“Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ”) by creatively communicating the Truth of Who God is. They believe that through the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the gift of music they can effectively make much of Jesus through corporate worship. They are also committed to investing in the people of Cross Church to raise up the next generation of worship leaders.
ARKANSAS BAPTIST LIFE 4 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
ADDRESSING FOUR MAJOR GAPS IN STUDENT MINISTRY These strategies can help students navigate through stages in their faith journey
gaps. Help cultivate relationships with their peers and at the same time with
those in the next phase. If your middle school and high school ministries are separate, then throughout their 8th grade year, strategically plan high
school events where they’re intentionally being invited so that they’re building
relationships. When they already know people in the ministry that they’re
A love for Jesus, His Word, and living it out
about to step into, the transition is less
student ministry where teens would
disciple them up.
was the gap between student ministry
If student ministry is run like a “church
When students catch the vision for
navigating through the different
longer an excuse to disappear. Instead,
graduating out of it, it feels like they’re
rides from others. When juniors and
why many leave, because they’re now
living on mission, they no longer feel
and high school
don’t understand and where they
ministry. Rather, they’re making the
driver’s license
to constantly be together instead of
their spiritually lost peers and discipling
year
Build relationships
BY SHANE PRUITT, GUEST SPEAKER AT ECON 2024
intimidating.
There used to be one major gap in
has sticking power. Don’t dumb it down;
typically cease being part of a church. It
Be a part of the church as a whole
Get them serving and living on mission
within a church,” when a teen is
serving, getting a driver’s license is no
transitions within a student ministry or
it’s leveraged to no longer depend on
having to join a different church. That’s
seniors have caught the vision for
77 The gap between middle school
being a part of something that they
like they’re too mature for the student
77 The gap around getting their
do not have relationships. Find ways
most of being a leader by reaching
77 The gap between junior and senior
always separate.
younger students. They should be
77 The gap between youth ministry
The more relationships a student has,
and college ministry.
In my exposure to hundreds of
student ministries and tens of thousands of students every year, I believe there are four major gaps now.
What are those gaps?
and college ministry
Here is a list of four things that I believe will help in
closing these gaps. These are not in any particular order of importance.
Foster a love for the Lord and His Word
Our ultimate call is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Some of our teens walk
away from our ministries with a Ph.D. in pizza and laser tag and a Pre-K
education in doctrine,
theology, and loving Jesus. Your theology will heavily influence your doxology.
the less likely they are to fall through the
serving and living on mission with the
church, not only in the student ministry. If we’re equipping and empowering
students to have a love for the Lord
and His Word, be a part
of the church as a whole, build relationships, and
serve and live on mission— then they’ll navigate the different stages in their
life without falling through the gaps, because they’ll
realize worshipping Jesus
and being the church isn’t
for a period of time but for all of eternity.
This article has been edited for space.
Read the full article at baptistpress.com.
EQUIPPING WORSHIPPERS AND WORSHIP LEADERS
given the opportunity to participate
PraizFest, JoyWorks, and PraiseWorks help equip the next generation of worshippers
PraiseWorks
BY JIM DANIEL, ABSC WORSHIP CONSULTANT As Arkansas Baptists, discipleship and
equipping are always on our hearts and minds as we look for creative ways to
partner with churches in the discipling
and equipping of their members. There
are multiple ways a church can disciple and equip their members for worship
and worship leading. This instruction and equipping should begin by partnering with parents in the discipling of their
children. Children need to be taught
how to love God with every aspect of their life. This type of complete love and devotion includes their talent.
(Deuteronomy 6:5, 6). As children begin to understand the biblical definition
of loving God with all their heart, soul,
and strength, the church begins to help children identify their gifts and talents and offer opportunities to use their
resources within the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12).
PraizFest
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BENTON | JANUARY 26 AND 27, 2024 PraizFest, our student worship weekend, is a great equipping tool for students in
grades 6 through 12. The students will be able to participate in a mass worship choir while
also choosing
one breakout experience from a list
of nine. These breakout sessions will cover areas from vocals to worship
in several “tracks” led by experts from across our state. These track leaders
give children the opportunity to develop their skills and explore interests.
OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | JULY 8–12, 2024 As children continue to grow in their
understanding of biblical worship and in their gifts and talents, the church should continue to encourage
involvement in
the areas of the
student’s interest
and giftedness. PraiseWorks, our student worship arts camp offered for students
in grades 6 through 12, is the next level of
discipleship and equipping. At this camp
the students are allowed to choose from
over 30 tracks, led by experts in their field.
band instruments and multimedia. It is
PraizFest, JoyWorks, and PraiseWorks are
use as they disciple and equip students
with churches in the equipping of the
another great resource for churches to for worship and worship leading.
JoyWorks
OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | JULY 8–12, 2024
three powerful tools used for partnering next generation of worshippers and
worship leaders. The skills the students learn during these experiences can
be immediately implemented in the
JoyWorks, worship arts camp offered
ministries of their local church. Truly,
excellent way for parents and churches
inspiring events effectively “equip
children in worship
for building up the body of Christ”
for children grades 3 through 6, is an
lives are impacted for eternity as these
to continue equipping
the saints for the work of ministry,
discipleship. At this
(Ephesians 4:11–12).
level, the children are
ARKANSAS BAPTIST LIFE 6 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PRIORITIZING PRAYER HELPS US PURSUE THE PROMISED PRIZE Arkansas Baptists band together to begin the new year strong with Pray First emphasis provided us with many snapshots of his
At a recent music awards show, a
in letters to churches that are part of
Artist of the Year. While I don’t feel like 39 is old, in the music world, it is old. Most new artists are much younger when they get their big break. As a youth,
however, this artist was in and out of jail
several times and had some rough and difficult early years.
In his acceptance speech, he made
a profound statement. The words were
not original to him. In fact, I am not sure who first made the statement, but it
is one of great truth. He said, “I wanna tell you that the windshield is bigger
than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so
much more important than what’s behind you.”
The Apostle Paul is one of the
greatest followers of Jesus that has
ever lived. I am so thankful that God has
is ahead. I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”
During the first month of 2024,
Arkansas Baptists will have the
opportunity to prioritize prayer as part
of a strong start for the new year. Every Monday in January, a video along with
resources and daily encouragement will
BY CRAIG JENKINS ABSC DIRECTOR OF CONVENTION ADVANCEMENT & NEWS 39-year-old won the award for New
behind and reaching forward to what
be released as you put God’s truth and
mindset and heart that are expressed
presence first.
God’s Word in the New Testament. Paul
Arkansas Baptists from around the
embracing the truth that what was in
from Philippians 3: forget, reach, goal,
life was far better than what was behind
provide a devotional, prayer prompts,
for all of us!
some practical applications. My desire
heart a few months ago as I considered
see that what is in front of us is more
Each week, with the help of five
indeed had a rough past. Yet he lived
state, we will focus on five key words
front of him through the windshield of
prize, and call. These leaders will
him in life’s rearview mirror. That is true
a Scripture to commit to memory, and
That is a truth that God stirred in my
is that as we Pray First together, we will
a focus for Arkansas Baptists to center
important than what is behind us.
initiative. I was drawn to the inspired
be added to the email list. If you signed
“Not that I have already reached the
year, you will automatically receive the
every effort to take hold of it because I
2024. We will share these resources
Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not
them on your personal pages. Be sure
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is
Convention on Facebook, Instagram,
on at the start of 2024 in our Pray First
Sign up at absc.org/prayfirst2024 to
and inspiring words of Philippians 3:12–14:
up to receive the Pray First materials last
goal or am already perfect, but I make
Pray First emails beginning on January 1,
also have been taken hold of by Christ
via social media, allowing you to share
consider myself to have taken hold of it.
to follow the Arkansas Baptist State and Twitter—visit absc.org/social.
A RETURN TO DESPERATE PRAYER NEEDED FOR CHURCHES Seeking the face of God in prayer brings God’s manifest power and presence to our churches BY TODD KAUNITZ, GUEST SPEAKER AT ECON 2024
‘tis his will that there should precede it
the extraordinary prayers of his people.” When God’s people pray together,
there is a supernatural outpouring
that happens in the church! There is
a supernatural favor or grace that He
bestows upon us. Doors open, resources are provided, and divine opportunity will be given to God’s people! Most
importantly, God’s presence will be The one common denominator in
It is an understatement to say, “When
each of the churches experiencing
When the infinite power and presence
to desperate prayer. These prayer
impossible for things to stay the same.
recognition of the absence of God’s
hot sun without significant physical
coming to the end of earthly solutions
manifest presence of God and remain
about their true spiritual condition and
us to the sad reality that God’s manifest
prayer their highest priority.
across our nation.
Him in desperation, He will be found!
the church today is not declining
who are deep in spiritual darkness,
preaching. These could only be
when you seek me with all your
is that the absence of desperate
take to seek Him with all
manifest power and presence. The
Without a return to
encountered, enjoyed, and experienced. Remember, “When God shows up,
this move of the Holy Spirit is a return
everything changes!”
of God enters the equation, it is
movements are motivated by a
and our nation is to witness the largest
Just as a person could not stand in the
manifest presence. These churches are
we have ever seen and that it will usher
change, a person cannot be in the
to Kingdom problems, getting honest
spiritually unchanged. This should bring
making the seeking the face of God in
God shows up, everything changes.”
presence is absent in most churches I believe the root problem in
God promises that when we seek
In Jeremiah 29:13, He tells His people
attendance or the absence of biblical
“You will seek me and find me,
symptoms. I believe the root problem
heart.” Prayer is the path we
prayer has led to the absence of God’s
our heart.
question we should be asking is not
personal and corporate
get them to return to church? Rather,
see revival. Jonathan
and how do we get Him to return?
God’s will, through his
prayer fueled by a deep desire for the
the prayers of his saints
where are our people and how do we
prayer, we will not
where is the presence of the Holy Spirit
Edwards wrote, “It is
The answer is a return to desperate
wonderful grace, that
presence of God.
should be one great
are seeing this happen! In recent days,
carrying on the designs
things. Stories are being shared of
the world. When God
sin, restored marriages, freedom from
very great to
of salvations and baptisms.
his church,
And here’s the encouraging news: we
and principal means of
God has been doing some incredible
of Christ’s kingdom in
miraculous healings, repentance from
has something
addictions, and an exponential number
accomplish for
My prayer for Arkansas Baptists
prayer movement among our churches in the greatest revival this generation has ever
experienced.
ARKANSAS BAPTIST LIFE 8 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
LEAD>DEFEND EQUIPS STUDENTS, YOUNG ADULTS TO STAND STRONG Today’s Christless culture presents opportunity: engaging the openly unbelieving with the Gospel
is an incredible resource for the youth,
college students, and adults of Arkansas.
The goal each year is to equip attendees to understand how the Bible addresses
certain issues at the forefront of culture. The benefits of this conference are numerous.
From the main stage and in the
breakouts, all involved are presented
with a biblical worldview on difficult and engage those who are comfortable
hot topics. Secondly, the conference
was respectful of Christianity. Even those
faith. It’s an opportunity that was more
own beliefs and doubts find answers
Christian faith were kind and respectful
harder to tell the difference between a
to Christ and a biblical worldview.
glance at our present culture to see this
“playing nice” because it was impolite
understanding for their own benefit, but
are openly mocked in some circles of
opportunity also presents a challenge:
others on those topics, showing them
Even when not mocking, people are not
to speak into the disbelief when it is
beliefs. While it is true that from one
is to be “ready at any time to give a
out March 2 on your calendar. Join us
Too few Christians have been
better equipped to take advantage of
BY BILL NEWTON, FBC HOT SPRINGS, GENERATIONS PASTOR There was a day when culture-at-large
expressing their disbelief in the Christian
can help students wrestling with their
who did not agree with the tenets of the
difficult to identify back when it was
and help solidify their own commitment
to those who did. It takes only a cursory
true believer and someone who was just
Lead>Defend not only helps with
is no longer the case. Christian beliefs
to speak against Christianity. This
attendees also learn how to engage
society without even batting an eye.
Are Christians equipped and ready
God’s truth and the love of Christ.
afraid to voice opposition to Christian
expressed? In 1 Peter 3:15 the command
to attend Lead>Defend 2024, block
perspective this is lamentable, it also
defense for the hope that is in you.”
to be encouraged in your faith and
the previous era.
equipped to fulfill that command.
the opportunity we have to engage a
Eternity is on the line. In the face of such
culture desperately in need of Jesus.
are presented with an opportunity to
opportunities we are often woefully
unprepared. This is why Lead>Defend
FOR MORE INFO, VISIT LEADDEFEND.ORG ////////////////////////////////
presents an opportunity not present in In the current environment, Christians
PLAN NOW TO ATTEND!
March 2, 2024
If you haven’t already made plans
/
Over the past three years, more than 7,000 Arkansas Baptists have mobilized to
serve their communities in practical ways each spring for Serve Local, which often involved inviting their neighbors to upcoming Easter services. With a desire to
increase involvement, boost outreach, and raise the impact upon the local church,
the Missions Team has collaborated with the Evangelism + Church Health Team for the Spring Outreach Strategy. This strategy has three components:
Serve Local For the Spring Outreach Strategy, churches are encouraged to select a day, or multiple days, in March to serve their communities, meeting practical needs and strategically sharing the
Gospel. Resources will include suggestions on identifying needs and evangelism resources. As churches look for needs to meet, the
answers do not have to be huge, complicated strategies that require a big budget. They can
be as simple as recruiting a team of volunteers to serve a meal in the community, collecting supplies for a local food pantry, organizing a backpack giveaway for
a low-income area, or even hosting a traditional egg hunt. Churches have been
successful doing door-to-door evangelism and prayer walking, while others see lives changed through connections at newer ministries such as a “No Sell Yard Sale” or sports camp. The possibilities to serve locally are endless.
Big Day A key part of the ministries performed at
Serve Local include an invitation to Big Day. Big Day is March 31, which is Easter, typically a high attendance Sunday.
According to Thom Rainer, 82 percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited. Available
resources will help churches prepare for the Big Day through
guest readiness, evangelistic preaching, follow up, and more.
Statewide Baptism Sunday The days after Serve Local and Big Day will focus on following up with contacts made and helping new believers take the next steps in their relationship with
Christ. Churches are invited to mark April 7, 2024, the Sunday after Easter, as a day of celebrating
decisions made through Serve Local and Big Day. As followers of Jesus, we have been given the
privilege of sharing the Good News with the world,
starting in our own community. We anticipate seeing amazing things happen through the Spring Outreach Strategy as Arkansas Baptists serve, invite, and celebrate with the people around us.
Register and keep up with resources as they are added at absc.org/springoutreach.
lines
UPCOMING EVENTS + EMPHASES FOR ARKANSAS BAPTISTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Mission Connection Event
JANUARY 21
JANUARY 21–23
Churches across the nation will observe National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, first issued by President Ronald Reagan. You can find more information, including a bulletin insert on our website. absc.org/sohls
Block Party Trainings
Prepare + Protect Trainings
JANUARY 27 & FEBRUARY 3, 10, 24
FEBRUARY 8 & 29
Lives can be changed through your church block parties. Learn how this simple tool can effectively share the love of Christ with your community at our annual regional trainings in Arkadelphia, Jonesboro, Little Rock, and Rogers.
Mission Connection is a way for church leaders to meet Arkansas Baptist planters and missionaries serving around the world and in the Natural State. Join us during the annual Evangelism Conference for a purposeful time to build connections.
absc.org/blockparty
absc.org/missionconnection
Hosted by ABSC and the Sexual Abuse Response + Resource Team, this training will assist churches as they protect against abuse, report abuse, and assist those who have experienced abuse. Choose from two dates and locations: February 8 at the NWA Ministry Center in Rogers or February 29 at the ABSC Building in Little Rock. absc.org/pra
CONNECT MISSIONS WEEKEND April 13-14 | absc.org/connect
ENGAGE MISSIONS CAMP June 17-21 | absc.org/engagecamp
‘24 S P R I NG L A K E
SPRING LAKE
SUPER SUMMER JV June 22-25 | absc.org/supersummer
Registration opens February 1
PLA N NO WF OR
202 4
SUM MER CAM PS
SUPER SUMMER SENIOR HIGH June 25-29 | absc.org/supersummer
Registration opens February 1
PRAISEWORKS/JOYWORKS July 8-12 | absc.org/pwjw
Registration opens March 1
11 ABSC.ORG ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CISM FEBRUARY 16–17 Responding to crises is second nature to First Responders. It is vital that they be trained to handle the stress and emotions that these incidents elicit. The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training event equips first responders to minister on the scene and to work through the stress they face as a result. absc.org/cism
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Week of Prayer
Disaster Relief Regional Trainings
Leadership Collective
MARCH 9, APRIL 6
MARCH 3–10
When disaster strikes, Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief is not far behind. You can become a trained, credentialed Disaster Relief volunteer by attending regional training at Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro starting at 8:30 a.m. on March 9 or at Central Baptist in North Little Rock on April 6.
Leadership Collective is a one-day workshop for women’s ministry leaders in Arkansas. It will take place on Saturday, April 20, at the ABSC Building. This will be a focused time for women’s ministry leaders to receive ministry training as they connect with one another in an interactive setting. Find encouragement, ideas, inspiration and friendship to strengthen your leadership journey. Registration opens February 1.
Giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering supports missionaries in North America as they share the Gospel. Pray and give with us as we help fulfill the Great Commission. absc.org/anniearmstrong
abscdisasterrelief.org/ volunteer
APRIL 20
absc.org/abwcollective
PRAY FOR CHURCH PLANTERS
food/supplies), and supporting Baptist
Church of NLR, Mt. Carmel of Conway,
Arkansas University of Magnolia
and all who support us in prayer.
BY DONNELL AND LATANYA FORD ARKANSAS BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTERS
77 Pray that God would
Our doors opened April 17, 2022, Easter Sunday. We are in an impoverished
neighborhood in need of the care and love of Jesus Christ. We have been
blessed to serve our community in
many ways such as: Back to School Bashes (200 plus backpacks and
supplies), Trunk or Treats, Thanksgiving Feed (200 meals), Prayer Walks (Bibles and devotions), Vacation Bible School (75+ in attendance), Church on the
Yard (service on the campus grounds), Christmas Needs Box (over $250 of
Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at Southern (feeding international students). provide laborers to gather His harvest.
77 Pray for continued growth of our
NAMB, ABSC, Liberty Baptist Association, Donnell and LaTanya Ford are
planting Full Faith Community Baptist Church in Magnolia
as a church plant of Central Baptist Church in Magnolia.
Sunday School,
We spend each
Group, Kingdom
planters around the
Bible Study, Youth Men and Women Classes, Core
Group, Praise and Worship Team.
77 Pray for our
relationships with Park Hill Baptist
month praying for
state. You can find a
daily calendar each
month at absc.org/
prayforplanters.
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CALENDAR January 16
January 27
March 26–27
April 5–6
Church Planting Interest Meeting Jail & Prison Ministry training
Renewing the Church Summit Heart & 4 Fields Evangelism/Discipleship Training
Please feel free to copy any portion of this newsletter to share with other members of your church. To request additional copies, call 501-376-4791, ext. 5153. The ministries of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention are funded by the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists to missions through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC EVENTS, CALL 501.376.4791 OR 800.838.2272 OR VISIT ABSC.ORG/CALENDAR FOR COMPLETE EVENT INFO.
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