Arkansas Baptist Life is the official newsletter of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
z Master’Singers in concert
z Cooperative Program ministry stories from ABSC team leaders
z Praise reports from Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries, Arkansas Baptist Foundation, Camp Siloam, Ouachita Baptist University, and Williams Baptist University
z Sexual Abuse Response & Resource Team (SARRT) report
z Hispanic worship service Sunday 6:30 p.m. and Monday 9:00 a.m. at Iglesia Bautista Roca Fuerte
z Meet church planters from NAMB and IMB to learn how your church can partner with them
z Lunches for seminary alumni, chaplains, kids ministry leaders, and young leaders will be hosted on Tuesday
z Arkansas Baptist Foundation 75th anniversary celebration
Pruet School of Christian Studies
Baptist University
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CONVENTION PRESIDENT
BY BRAD LEWTER, ABSC CONVENTION PRESIDENT SENIOR PASTOR, GRAND AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, FORT SMITH
The Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention will take place at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, October 22–23. This is a pivotal event for individuals and congregations committed to the mission and work of local churches that make up the ABSC. Attending this meeting is important for a variety of reasons. Let me offer a few.
One of the most compelling reasons to attend the Annual Meeting is the opportunity for spiritual
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. —HEBREWS 10:23
renewal. It is designed to be a time of worship and reflection, offering attendees a chance to recharge their spiritual batteries. Through dynamic worship services, inspiring sermons, and heartfelt moments of prayer, participants can experience a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. This spiritual revival is crucial for personal growth and for energizing congregations to tackle the challenges of the coming year with renewed vigor.
This involvement is essential for ensuring that the Convention remains relevant and effective in addressing the challenges facing its member churches.
The Annual Meeting serves as a vital networking hub, bringing together pastors, church leaders, and laypeople from across the state. This congregation of diverse individuals fosters a unique environment for building relationships and sharing resources. Attendees have the chance to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, and explore potential collaborations that can enhance their local ministries. The connections made here can lead to new partnerships, joint ventures in missions work, and a broader support system, ultimately strengthening the impact of Baptist initiatives across Arkansas.
Attending Annual Meeting signifies a commitment to denominational unity. It demonstrates a willingness to support and engage with the collective mission of Arkansas Baptists. The meeting is a platform for reinforcing shared values and goals, promoting a sense of community and solidarity among Baptists throughout the state. By participating, members show their dedication to the larger Baptist family and contribute to maintaining the health and vitality of the Convention’s cooperative efforts.
Finally, Annual Meeting offers a powerful sense of encouragement and support. It’s an opportunity to witness the collective strength and dedication of Arkansas Baptists, reinforcing the notion that no church or individual is working in isolation. The shared experiences and collective enthusiasm serve as a reminder of the larger mission and purpose, providing motivation and encouragement for the work ahead.
Strategic planning is another critical aspect of the Annual Meeting. The event provides a forum for discussing and making key decisions that will shape the direction of Baptist work in the state. Resolutions are passed, budgets are approved, and future initiatives are outlined. By participating in these discussions, attendees have a voice in guiding the Convention’s efforts and aligning strategies with the needs and aspirations of their congregations.
The Annual Meeting is a vital event for anyone involved in the Arkansas Baptist community. It provides a platform for spiritual renewal, fosters valuable networking opportunities, informs strategic decision-making, and reinforces denominational unity. For these reasons, attending the Annual Meeting is not just important but essential for advancing the collective mission and effectiveness of Arkansas Baptists.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTORS’ CONFERENCE PRESIDENT
BY SEAN MILLS, SENIOR PASTOR AT FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, CONWAY
This year’s Pastors’ Conference theme is “Advance,” a verb that means to move forward. In Joshua 14:6–14, Caleb had been advancing for 45 years toward the promise made to him. At 85 years old, he still had the passion to keep advancing. I love Joshua 14:12 when Caleb declares “give me this hill country the Lord promised.” He knew it meant more battles, but he was not stopping.
I want to encourage you to keep advancing despite your age, location, or how difficult the task. May we keep advancing to reach people with the saving grace of Jesus, disciple them to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, and send them out to live on mission. May we have the vigor of Caleb and say, “Give me this hill country.”
This year’s conference will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a free lunch. We will enjoy a great time of fellowship with fellow ministers and friends from around the state. At 12:15 p.m., Brian Mills will lead a mini-session of practical ministry helps. Lunch will end with the election of our 2025 Pastors’ Conference officers.
The preachers for this year’s conference include Fred Luter Jr., pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana; John Venable, pastor of New Life Baptist in Alexander, Arkansas; Brian Mills, pastor of Together We Church in Yukon, Oklahoma; and Jordan Easley, pastor of FBC Cleveland, Tennessee. Register today at absc.org/absc24 to attend the lunch at 11:00 a.m.
It’s an honor to serve as your Pastors’ Conference president. I pray this conference will encourage you to continue to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A MESSAGE ABOUT THE MINISTERS’ WIVES CONFERENCE
BY SARA MILLS, MINISTERS’ WIVES COORDINATOR
The word “advance,” when used as a verb, is defined as moving forward purposefully. When a word is used as a verb, it means for us to take action. There are many instances in the Bible where the Lord tells us to advance. We are encouraged to advance in our walk with Him, in our marriages, in our relationships with others, and in the way we point others to Jesus. If we are honest, however, we often stop advancing. We halt the forward movement in our relationship with the Lord, but the Lord desires a continuing and advancing relationship with us.
We are eager to gather with other ministers’ wives from across the state to encourage and pray with each other and build new relationships. We have prayed for each of you to feel connected and loved, from the moment you walk into the room until you leave.
Please plan to join us for a wonderful lunch, a sweet time of worship with Melanie Jenkins, and a new, exciting layout for our time in God’s Word.
Join us on October 21 at 11:00 a.m. in The Venue, the youth area upstairs. Childcare will be provided. Register at absc.org/ absc24. I can’t wait for us to talk about how we can advance in every area of life!
A LIFETIME OF FAITHFULNESS TO ARKANSAS BAPTISTS
Emily Ruth Watson attended her first annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) in 1951.
Nearly 73 years later, the 94-yearold says since then she has not missed more than four or five meetings.
For many, Annual Meeting is not just a time to gather and focus on business. It’s a time to hear what God has laid on the hearts of pastors across the state, worship together
as one body, and nourish friendships created over the years.
Emily Ruth likes to attend the Annual Meeting for inspiration and on occasion, finds it humorous.
She recalled a meeting in the 1950s when the late Bro. Otto Whittington—a former pastor, ABSC president (1929–1930), and denominational leader who became an avid spokesman for the Convention’s debt-payment campaign—stood up to say a few words during a discussion over the Convention’s debt at the time.
“(Whittington) stood up and said, ‘My wife told me not to stand up at this convention and, if I stood up, not to say anything, but I just can’t let this go on,’” Watson said. She said he gave his opinion, and it resulted in a fundraising campaign.
With fondness, she also recalled the fellowship with her fellow Arkansas Baptists throughout the years at the Annual Meeting. Emily Ruth is an avid supporter of the Cooperative Program and of GuideStone’s Mission Dignity ministry to retired church staff and their spouses. She is also a prayer warrior for pastors and their families, as well as the staff of the ABSC.
Emily Ruth spent her early years in Murfreesboro before her family moved
to Little Rock. She often refers to herself as, “one of those Pike County diamonds that has never been cut or polished.”
On May 28, 1948, she graduated from Little Rock High School and married her husband, the late Jimmy Watson.
A few years after their marriage, Jimmy surrendered to the ministry and became pastor of Midway Baptist Church, Judsonia. Other pastorates included Martindale Baptist Church in Little Rock, Bethany Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Leonard Street Baptist Church in Hot Springs, First Baptist Church in Amity, Elliott Baptist Church in Camden, and Greenlee Memorial Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, where he remained for 18 years, retiring in 1989.
Throughout those years of ministry, Emily Ruth stood faithfully beside Jimmy, who died in 2005. She was active in WMU, taught Sunday School, served as church secretary, and did just about anything to be done in church. They raised five children to be faithful adults, seeing all of them accept Christ as Savior and follow Him.
Their children include Matthew Watson, pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Star City; Obie Watson; Edward Watson, who passed last year; James Watson, pastor at Greenlee Memorial in Pine Bluff; and Cassie Price.
Emily Ruth plans to attend this year’s ABSC Annual Meeting, October 22–23, at Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock.
“Lord willing, I’ll be there,” she said.
Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering & Week of Prayer
DECEMBER 1–8
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
Pray First
JANUARY 2025
Let’s begin the year praying together! Join us during the month of January as we reach forward to what is ahead and pray II Chronicles 7:14 with weekly devotionals and prayer points.
absc.org/prayfirst
Jail and Prison Ministry Training
JANUARY 25
If you are inspired by Matthew 25:36 to learn more about praying for and ministering to those in jail/ prison, this day of helpful training is for you. Classes are provided free of charge due to the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.
absc.org/jailtraining
Mission Connection Dinner
JANUARY 26
Meet church planters and missionaries to find out how your church can partner with them. If you serve in the Central Arkansas area or plan to drive in Sunday afternoon in preparation for ECON, consider coming to the dinner!
absc.org/abwconference
Show your appreciation for your pastor and church staff this October during Pray First: Pastor + Staff Appreciation month. Visit ABSC.ORG/PSAM for ideas and resources.
ECON 2025
JANUARY 27–28
Make plans to attend the 2025 State Wide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health. You will hear from Lee Strobel, Jeff Iorg, Nick Floyd, Tom Richter, and JJ Washington, who will encourage and challenge you.
absc.org/econ
PraizFest
JANUARY 31–FEBRUARY 1
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 led by Rhon Carter, Worship and Music Strategist, Georgia Baptist Convention, and hosted by First Baptist Church, Benton. Registration is open.
absc.org/praizfest
Block Party Workshops
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Block Party ministry is a great way to reach your local community. It is a simple and fun tool to share the love of Christ. 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 8
Save the date for the leadership and apologetics conference. Two events in one for middle school, high school, and college students and their leaders. This conference is designed to equip the next generation of leaders to develop and defend their faith.
absc.org/leaddefend
PRAY FOR CHURCH PLANTERS
Pray for Pranay and Allison
Borde in Downtown Little Rock, and pray daily for Arkansas church planters using our monthly prayer calendar.
Hillcrest International Collective is a diaspora house/micro church planting movement to make the Gospel known and create disciples in distinct languages and people groups. It began
as a church plant in Downtown Little Rock that started through the pressing need to make the Gospel known and disciples made among the many South Asian diaspora citizens who need community and God’s Word in their own culture and context. What started as a single church plant has become a micro church planting movement.
Pray
7 For leaders they are training and for the Discovery Bible Studies they will be leading in the future.
7 That God will use cultural immersion events they hosted this summer to help churches be more burdened for reaching the nations here in Arkansas.
7 For God to help those who are struggling with what it will mean for them to follow Jesus.
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:
October 1–31 Pastor + Staff Appreciation Month
October 28 ServSafe Training
November 9 Worship Leaders’ Roundtables
November 16 KidMin Network
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.
If you would like to receive a monthly electronic newsletter with links to these events and more, go to absc.org/subscribe or call 501-376-4791 ext. 5153.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC EVENTS, CALL 501.376.4791 OR VISIT ABSC.ORG/CALENDAR FOR COMPLETE EVENT INFO
