Arkansas Baptist Life—ABSC Newsletter—March 2023

COOPERATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PROUD HERITAGE

Working together fuels the missionary spirit that is the legacy of Arkansas Baptists

BY DR. REX HORNE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Our evangelistic and missionary fervor, conviction concerning the authority of Scripture, and cooperation in reaching our cities, state, nation, and world are examples of why I am proud to be a Southern and Arkansas Baptist.

There was a day when our churches were inundated by people representing good causes asking for financial support. It is likely the one who gave the best presentation was most successful in raising funds. There had to be a better way for noble causes to be supported.

As a boy in south Arkansas, I was fascinated when our pastor would have missionaries from such places as Nigeria speak to us. I learned missionaries and Christian universities like Ouachita and Williams were made possible by churches giving through the Cooperative Program.

Nearly 100 years ago, messengers adopted a recommendation that founded the Cooperative Program. The first principle centered upon cooperation, specifically between state conventions and our national body. Cooperation is still foundational to our work. It begins when a church member decides to be a faithful steward, giving their tithes and offerings. Their church determines what to give to the state convention. Messengers to the state convention decide what percent remains in state and how much is sent to support the Lord’s work nationally and internationally.

The ministries in Arkansas are

ongoing because of the commitment and cooperation of local churches, which must never be taken for granted. I thank Arkansas Baptists for their support through the Cooperative Program.

The words of Austin Crouch, the first president of the SBC Executive Committee resonate truth today: “It is still our unshaded conviction that the missionary spirit is still gaining ground, and the success of the Cooperative Program is one of the best proofs of its

Arkansas Baptist Life is the official newsletter of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention

ONE DAY: SERVE LOCAL ENGAGES CHURCHES WITH COMMUNITIES

This year’s event is April 1, the Saturday before Easter, an opportune time for church outreach

BY CLINT RITCHIE ASSISTANT MISSIONS TEAM LEADER

Can you imagine what would happen if all ABSC churches engaged their communities in missions and evangelism on the same day? A glimpse of this has been realized the past three years through One Day: Serve Local, where approximately 6,000 Arkansas Baptists have been mobilized in their local communities, resulting in at least 351 professions of faith!

The next opportunity for statewide impact through One Day: Serve

Part of the beauty of One Day: Serve Local is that the local church determines its areas of service based upon the needs of the community and the gifts and passions of the people in the church. A good question to ask is: “What can our church do to make a difference in the community?” 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 lowincome 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. Regardless of the specific ministries hosted, each ministry can provide opportunities for both Gospel conversations and personal invitations to your Easter service, where the Gospel will be clearly shared. The possibilities to serve locally are endless.

The ABSC Missions Team provides free resources to churches that register for One Day: Serve Local, including evangelism tools, creative ideas for serving, and follow-up training. You can register your church now at absc.org/ servelocal.

Leading your church to join others across our state on April 1 for One Day: Serve Local can assist the church to build relationships and demonstrate God’s love with your neighbors, which will provide opportunities for Gospel conversations and church invitations. As followers of Jesus, we have been given the privilege of sharing the Good News with the world, starting in our own community. When we intentionally interact with the people around us, the impact is eternal!

DON’T BE

BY EMILY SMITH CHILDREN’S SPECIALIST

With all the twists and turns churches have experienced in their kids ministries these past few years, one may be wondering what’s their next move? Like playing your favorite board game, will we land on the spot that jumps us ahead or sets us back four spaces? There is a strategy that could be a game changer for your kids ministry this summer—Vacation Bible School! How could this century-old program be effective in our kids ministry today?

According to Lifeway VBS Team Leader Melita Thomas, VBS accounts for roughly 25 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist churches. Think about your own church. If you incorporated

VBS in any form as part of your kids ministry, then one-quarter of the people your church reached were reached as a result of VBS.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Anna Blase at First Baptist Church in Dierks couldn’t imagine summer without VBS. So, they did what many churches did in 2020, they added a twist to their VBS strategy and offered a first-ever virtual VBS. As a result, Anna shared how a young boy in their community whom they had been inviting to church, participated in their virtual VBS and accepted Christ as his personal Savior on day four. Their first-ever virtual VBS had been a success. The turn they took in their VBS plan had been worth it! We know there will always be twists and turns in kids ministry and ministry does not stop when the last child leaves

Use VBS as a gamechanger strategy in your Kids Ministry

on the final day of VBS. In many cases, VBS is a jump start to your strategy for kids ministry. Let us help you with the next moves in kids ministry by joining us at our Kids Ministry + VBS trainings coming up in April. These trainings are not just for VBS anymore but also include breakouts designed to up your game in kids ministry. You won’t be SORRY! Who knows? You may discover game changers that advance your kids ministry to the next level.

April 20 | Jonesboro

April 22 | Bryant

April 27 | Rogers FOR

PraiseWorks + JoyWorks | July 10–14

PraiseWorks, a worship arts camp offered for students who have finished 7th through 12th grade, and JoyWorks, offered for children 3rd grade through 6th grade, are two incredible summer camps offered simultaneously on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. These two camps are amazing opportunities for students to come together in times of worship, to continue learning how to worship biblically, and to gain and polish skills used to lead worship in the context of their local ministries. Our mission is to partner with parents and local churches in the continued discipleship and equipping of the next generation of worshipers and worship leaders. It is our prayer that students who participate in PraiseWorks and JoyWorks will return to their local churches with a biblically sound understanding of worship and a passion to implement their gifts and talents in service to our Lord.

PRAISEWORKSARKANSAS.COM | JOYWORKSARKANSAS.COM

Engage Missions Camp | July 10–14

Super Summer | June 24–27 + June 27–July 1

Super Summer is a great opportunity for students to build relationships with campers from all over Arkansas. Numerous times we hear stories from students who have graduated, started college, and automatically know several people with strong faith after getting to know them at camp. Super Summer is also a great opportunity for students to own their faith. They are purposely placed in small groups made up of students from all over so they can learn how to apply their faith from the biblical truths being taught. The structure of camp intentionally points them to faith independence, teamwork, and leadership. With “schools” in the morning and afternoon, Super Summer maximizes the time for pouring into students’ lives.

SUPERSUMMERARKANSAS.COM

Engage Missions Camp combines biblical teaching, worship, evangelism, fun, and fellowship with hands-on ministry opportunities to help equip students to be engaged full-time in God’s mission. Engage is perfect for:

7 Those needing training and preparation for upcoming missions trips

7 Those desiring to grow in their faith and learn how to become disciple makers

7 Those who want to experience hands-on ministry

7 Those feeling a call to full-time missions/ministry

7 Unsaved students wondering what the Christian life is all about

Our theme this year is “What?” Join us at Camp Paron on July 17–21, 2023, as we discover what making disciples is really all about.

CAMPPARON.COM/ENGAGE-CAMP

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FANNING THE GOSPEL FLAME

Summer camps like Camp Siloam stoke the passion of students for a life on mission for God

BY MADELYN

Madelyn, a third-year Camp Siloam summer staffer, said she first felt a call to missions when she attended a breakout class led by an IMB Journeyman missionary at Camp Siloam in 2017. She described her call to missions over the next five years like an ember in a campfire that would flare up when she would hear a missionary talk. (Madelyn’s last name, other details about her, and photo are withheld because she may soon serve in a sensitive area.) Here is her story in her own words.

My first time as a camper at Siloam was an adventure that would change my life in a way that can only be accredited to the awesomeness of God.

Looking at the activity options, my friends wanted to go to Q & A with the band. I didn’t have any questions for

the band, so I signed up for “Missions with Rebekah,” expecting her to give a slideshow, read the Great Commission, and peace out.

I have never underestimated something so much in my life! She started telling us about what she does and how all these cities and people groups need Jesus. I wrote in my journal, “I do not know specifically what I want to do with my life, but I KNOW I want to help people.”

That was the first time I felt a call to missions. As a 16-year-old, being a missionary seemed out of reach. The blazing fire I had for missions died to a glowing ember; dimmed but not gone. The next four and half years consisted of hearing missionary after missionary speak, bringing small bursts of oxygen

to that ember, causing it to flare up only to be quenched by worldly priorities.

Fast forward to July 2022, and I am a staffer at Camp Siloam. The idea of missions is still in my mind, but what if God called me somewhere far away? I love my family too much to leave them.

Standing at the sink in the Camp Siloam kitchen scrubbing potatoes thinking about my future, that stubborn little thought of missions came through my mind and all those excuses came back. I looked at the potato in my left hand and scrub pad in my right and thought, “This is not fun, but I find joy scrubbing these potatoes because of why I’m scrubbing them.”

I realized only God could bring joy in scrubbing potatoes. If He can do that, then He can bring me joy in so much more. I prayed and surrendered everything to God and asked Him to send me wherever He plans. I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that the best is yet to come.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP SILOAM AT CAMPSILOAM.COM

CONNECT

APRIL 14–16

Looking for a student missions experience? CONNECT is a weeklong missions trip experience packaged into a single weekend, helping engage students with missions. They will be equipped for future missions, as well as learn how to better connect with Christ, other students, local churches, and ministries.

 absc.org/connect

IMB Eight Steps Missions Workshop

APRIL 17–28, 20–21

This International Mission Boardled workshop is designed to help empower pastors and leaders with strategies to mobilize the church and raise up missionaries. The April 17–18 workshop will be in Little Rock, and the April 20–21 workshop will be in Rogers. Seating is limited, so register today. Get complete information online, including a separate registration page for each workshop.

 absc.org/churchplanting

DR Regional Trainings

MARCH 11, APRIL 15

When disaster strikes, Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief is not far behind. You can become a trained, credentialed Disaster Relief volunteer by attending a regional training. Join us at Walnut Street Baptist Church in Jonesboro on March 11 or at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock on April 15. Training is from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Register today!

 abscdisasterrelief.org/ volunteer

First Responder/ Peer Support Training

APRIL 28–29

Join us April 28 and 29 from 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. as we partner with Barry Young of Serving Heroes to provide his Level 1 and Level 2 Chaplain/Peer Support Training. The training is for anyone desiring to minister to and support first responders. Advance registration is required. Register today!

 absc.org/peersupport

Man UP!

MAY 6

To “man up” often refers to being brave and providing for one’s family. As Christians, “man up” means being the man God has designed you to be, and the true model of a man is Jesus. Man Up! offers experiences designed to provide mentoring relationships, biblical teaching, plus practical ideas and resources to help men become passionate Christ followers and disciple makers. For groups and individuals. Don’t miss this day of fun, food, fellowship, and disciple making for men of all ages!

 absc.org/manup

Prayer Gathering

AUGUST 28–29

Save the date for the tenth annual Statewide Prayer Gathering to be held August 28–29. This time of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening has become one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar for pastors, church staff, associational missionaries, and ABSC staff. Times of prayer are interspersed with times of worship on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Location to be announced.

 absc.org/prayergathering

PRAY FOR CHURCH PLANTERS

Pray for the Armendariz family and their church plant in Siloam Springs, and pray daily for Arkansas church planters using our monthly prayer calendar.

Dixie Jackson Week of Prayer

SEPTEMBER 10–17

The Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering and Week of Prayer is intended to highlight and encourage Gospel work that Arkansas Baptists are faithfully supporting in our state and beyond. This year, it will be held September 10–17. The offering taken during this season supplements Cooperative Program gifts to provide additional funds for church planting, disaster relief, ministry to the next generation, and community missions.

 absc.org/dj

Daniel and Nelly Armendariz are church planters for Arkansas Baptists and SEND Network Arkansas at All Nations Community Church En Espanol in Siloam Springs. We believe in the power of prayer and ask that you intentionally pray for this family and church as they seek to share the Good News of Christ.

Inspire Women’s Conference

SEPTEMBER 23

Inspire Women’s Conference is designed for women of all ages and stages of life. At Inspire you can expect powerful worship, dynamic speakers, and meaningful times of connection that will bless, challenge, and equip you. This year our theme is Growing Together. Save the date on September 23 for Inspire 2023 at First Baptist Church in Russellville and invite your friends. Registration is March 1–September 18.

 absc.org/events/2023inspire-womens-conference

Pray

7 For their mobile food pantry, that new people will come and hear the message of salvation, and that they can connect with the people who need a local church.

7 For wisdom in leading the church and connecting with new people.

7 For follow-up with people who do not have a local church and need a church family.

7 For connecting with new people and being a blessing to their lives.

We spend each month praying for planters around the state. You can find a daily calendar each month at absc.org/prayforplanters

Stay connected to us on social media, watch and listen to our videos and podcasts, sign up for our monthly eNews, and find all things Arkansas Baptist on our website. Get started at:

ABSC.ORG/ UPDATES

CALENDAR

April 15 State Youth Bible Drill

April 22 Women’s Leadership Intensive WMU Executive Board Meeting

April 22 Equip:SMC Conference, Arkadelphia

May 6 Equip:SMC Conference, Morrilton

June 12–14 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

July 24, 27 Explore, Discover, Grow

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC EVENTS, CALL 501.376.4791 OR 800.838.2272

OR VISIT ABSC.ORG/CALENDAR FOR COMPLETE EVENT INFO.

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.