WINTER
2026 Arkansas Baptist Life is the official newsletter of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
ARKANSAS BAPTIST LIFE
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This free, two-day gathering will feature powerful worship, dynamic speakers, and practical breakout sessions designed for a variety of ministries. No registration is needed to attend ECON, but Tuesday workshops do require advance registration.
SCHEDULE
MONDAY | JANUARY 26 10:00–11:30 a.m. 1:00–4:30 p.m. 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Pre-Con with Mark Hallock Afternoon Worship Sessions 1, 2, & 3
Renew Arkansas Overview Evening Worship Session
TUESDAY | JANUARY 27 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast snacks/Fellowship/ Pastor Care Interview (Ben Mandrell and Mark Dance)
10:00–11:30 a.m.
Breakout Workshop
SESSIONS
PASTORS led by Mark Mittelberg
WORSHIP MINISTERS led by Kenny Lamm STUDENT LEADERS led by Richard Ross
CHILDREN’S LEADERS led by Lauren Jackson
MINISTERS’ WIVES AND WOMEN IN MINISTRY led by Amy Petersen
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION led by Patrick Henry
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more information + workshop registration
absc.org/econ
SPEAKERS
MARK HALLOCK serves as the Lead Pastor of
Calvary Church in Englewood, Colorado. He also serves as President of the Calvary Family of Churches, a family of churches committed to planting and revitalizing churches for the glory of God. BEN MANDRELL has devoted his life to preaching
the Gospel, developing leaders, and strengthening the local church. In 2019, Ben became President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, leading the organization through a season of significant transition. Most recently, he returned to pastoral ministry as Senior Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. MARK MITTELBERG is a bestselling author,
international speaker, and the Executive Director of The Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University, where he helps equip believers through accredited degree programs and training resources.
LEVI SKIPPER serves as the Pastor of Sagemont
Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to his role at Sagemont, Dr. Skipper served as the Vice-President of Church Strengthening for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, where he developed strategies to mobilize churches in evangelism and leadership development.
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ABSC.ORG
G
od is on the move and working in the lives of people all
across our state. Some churches, however, may feel stuck or even in decline. No matter the size, setting, or season, God desires every church to be renewed and always
renewing for His glory and the good of the community through the power of the Gospel.
The word “renew” can be defined as resuming an activity
after an interruption. A struggling church likely has not always been struggling. There was once a vision for ministry and a
commitment to the mission that led people to start that work in
that place. Somewhere in the journey, an interruption occurred, and spiritual activity might have slowed or even stopped.
Because God loves the church, that does not have to be where the story ends. Renewal…a resuming of Gospel and Kingdom activity is God’s desire.
Renew Arkansas is a collaborative network of Arkansas
Baptists that exists to foster church renewal through meaningful partnerships. The heart of the network is to support leaders and congregations in their pursuit of Gospel-centered renewal.
Make plans now to attend ECON on January 26–27 where
church revitalization will be one of the topics of focus. You will hear from Mark Hallock and learn more about how Renew
DISCOVER MORE AT ABSC.ORG/RENEW
Arkansas may be able to assist your church in the area of revitalization.
ARKANSAS BAPTIST LIFE 4 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
BY DR. MARK DANCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARKANSAS BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
I
When you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father
am personally pumped about how God
who is in secret. And your Father who sees
is going to “Renew” many of our Arkansas
in secret will reward you.
churches that are in desperate need of
STILLNESS
revival and revitalization. Is it realistic
Rushing past the throne of God on the way
to talk about a church renewal, however,
to work won’t produce any lasting fruit. It
apart from pastoral renewal? I think we all know that the health of our churches is
may satisfy a need to check-off “quiet time”
intrinsically connected to the health of our
from my to-do list, but I don’t expect or see
pastors and leaders.
any lasting spiritual maturity from it.
Additionally, we can allow Jesus to
King David was a leader we can easily
relate to because he had an overwhelming
job. He modeled for us the importance of a revitalized soul. The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life (soul);
he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
—Psalm 23:1–3
Church revitalization starts with revitalized pastors and
leaders. January is the perfect time to reinstate four timeless
spiritual disciplines to keep your soul revitalized and restored.
SOLITUDE
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He spent 40 days and
nights in the wilderness alone, seeking God. Jesus also sought solitude when John the Baptist was arrested, before He chose the 12 disciples, just after He healed a leper and, of course, in the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion.
“In solitude, I get rid of my
scaffolding,” said Henri Nouwen.
Do you need
to remove some of the props and
distractions in your
life as well? Start by getting alone with God before your day begins.
—Matthew 6:6
recharge our souls throughout the day by
taking intentional breaks. Simply shut the door or go outside for a few minutes to catch your spiritual breath. Daniel took time for prayer three times each day at work.
SILENCE
Time with God doesn’t need to feel like a time-out. David’s soul awoke beside green pastures and quiet waters—and I can honestly say that mine does, too.
My soul recently soared on a hike with my wife. As we sat
beside a robust Arkansas cascade, I remembered Psalm 23 and asked Jesus to restore my soul.
SURRENDER
As you acquiesce your agenda to God’s agenda each day, you are surrendering your will to His will.
Paul told the Colossians that he was a servant of the
Gospel as well as the Church (Colossians 1:23, 25). At the end of the day, we are slaves, not celebrities.
There really are no secrets or shortcuts to
restoration and
renewal. Simply
take time throughout
each day to intentionally
take a spiritual breath by connecting with Jesus.
Abiding in Christ is still the
only way to bear fruit that will last (John 15:4–5).
RENEWAL STARTS WITH US
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LEAD DEFEND EQUIPS STUDENTS FOR NEXT GEN GOSPEL IMPACT Lead Defend for high school and college and Foundations for grades 6–9 will be March 7
looking for a place where you can grow more in knowledge on the Bible and
who God is, Lead Defend is a great place for you to attend,” he said.
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
(UAFS) Campus Minister Luke Dawson
said the conference is “often one of the experiences our leaders point back to that exponentially grows their ability to practically follow Jesus—a day
Scheduled March 7 at Immanuel Baptist
and practical breakouts, Lead Defend
Rock, Lead Defend and Lead Defend
Defend provides an environment that
Church and the City Center in Little
Foundations equip the next generation to defend their faith.
“This generation faces difficult
questions. Bumper sticker theology
doesn’t give the answers. Lead Defend and Foundations strives to equip
students and young adults with the
biblical answers and biblical attitudes needed to be salt and light in today’s culture,” said Arkansas Baptist State
Convention (ABSC) Evangelism + Church Health Team Leader Warren Gasaway. The event, a Cooperative Program
ministry of the ABSC, features nationally known guest speakers, such as Greg
has something to offer everyone. Lead can strengthen the faith of believers
and even help break down barriers to
belief for unbelievers,” said ABSC Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) and Church Health Strategist Chris Larmoyeux.
Lead Defend is geared toward college
and high school students and young
adults of Arkansas, while Foundations
is aimed at students in grades 6-9. Little Rock BCM Campus Minister Matthew
Stubbs called Lead Defend “an incredible way for students to grow deeply in
their relationship with Jesus and to communicate that with others.” “This conference offers
Koukl and Dr. Walter R. Strickland II along
exceptional tools and strategies that
of ministry leaders from Arkansas.
faith and to communicate the Gospel
with breakout sessions led by a variety
“Between the powerful main sessions
can be used for students to defend their efficiently to non-believers. If you are
devoted to providing students tools for evangelism, apologetics, discipleship, and leadership.”
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
(UAPB) BCM Campus Minister Matthew Hall said he can “think of no better
opportunity to be trained to think rightly and lead well as a disciple of Jesus
than our Lead Defend and Foundations conference.”
“Christianity doesn’t exist in a holy
huddle, but it is powerfully expressed in people who have a knowing faith
and live it for God’s glory. Lead Defend
and Foundations helps students do just that,” Hall said.
Early registration costs $35 per
person. After February 6, the cost of
registration goes up to $45 per person.
For more information and to register, //////////////////////////////// visit absc.org/leaddefend. Hurry, because this event fills up fast! /////////////////////////////////
lead defend
lines
UPCOMING EVENTS + EMPHASES FOR ARKANSAS BAPTISTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PraizFest 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 led by Stan Baker and hosted by First Baptist Church, Benton. absc.org/praizfest
Block Party Workshops
Leadership Collective
EQUIP Conference
JANUARY 24, 31, AND FEBRUARY 7, 21
FEBRUARY 7
FEBRUARY 7
Block Party ministry is a great way to reach your local community with lasting effects, not only on the community, but also on the hosting church. In a nontraditional, nonthreatening way, it becomes a simple tool to share the love of the church plus the wonderful love of Christ. Attend our annual regional trainings to learn how this tool can change lives as you effectively share the love of Christ with your community.
Leadership Collective is a oneday workshop for women who serve their local church as the leader of women’s ministry events, discipleship, small groups, and other activities for women. This event offers opportunities for ministry leaders to be equipped to serve as they connect with one another in an interactive setting. It’s the perfect place to find encouragement, ideas, inspiration, and friendship to strengthen your leadership journey!
The Equip Conference is designed to assist normal-size Arkansas Baptist churches in equipping their members to minister in their communities. On February 7, 2026, we will meet on the campus of Williams Baptist University. The Saturday morning conference is a ministry of the Evangelism and Church Health Team of the ABSC. The conference is free, but registration is required.
absc.org/blockparty
absc.org/leadershipcollective
absc.org/equip
REACH NEW HEIGHTS, HAVE A BALL, AND IGNITE A PASSION FOR CHRIST.
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Worship Conference FEBRUARY 21
Critical Incident Stress Management
Join us at First Baptist Church in Cabot for the Arkansas Baptist Worship Conference—a one-day event designed to encourage and equip worship leaders from churches of all sizes and styles. Whether you are the worship pastor, serve as a vocalist, instrumentalist, tech team member, or in another capacity, this conference offers something for everyone involved in worship ministry.
FEBRUARY 20–21
absc.org/wc
absc.org/CISM
SUM MER CAMPS
2026
Responding to crises is second nature to First Responders. The Critical Incident Stress Management training equips First Responders and those aiming to become an Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplain to minister on the scene and to work through the stress they face as a result. Two courses are offered; each is a 14-hour, two-day course.
Explore Your Call Join us for our regional Explore Your Call meetings in your area! This will be a time to learn and hear from church staffs and pastors about serving in ministry, partnering together in ministry, and growing in your call to ministry. Look for dates to be posted online. absc.org/exploreyourcall
Worship Leaders’ Roundtables In an effort to connect worship leaders together, a Worship Leaders Roundtable is hosted by a local church in each region throughout the year. Look for dates to be posted online. absc.org/wlr
CONNECT MISSIONS WEEKEND April 10–12 | absc.org/connect
CAMP SILOAM Camps begin June 1 and run weekly through August | campsiloam.com
ENGAGE MISSIONS CAMP June 15–19 | absc.org/engage
‘25 SPRING LAKE
SPRING LAKE
SUPER SUMMER JV June 20–23 | absc.org/supersummer | Registration opens February 1.
SUPER SUMMER SENIOR HIGH June 23–27 | absc.org/supersummer | Registration opens February 1.
JOYWORKS July 13–17 | absc.org/pwjw For students who have completed grade 3–6. Registration opens March 1.
PRAISEWORKS July 13–17 | absc.org/pwjw For students who have completed grade 7–12. Registration opens March 1.
The Spring Outreach Strategy is a comprehensive initiative designed to help churches engage their communities and share the hope of the Gospel during key moments in the spring season. We’re focusing on four impactful components that will equip your church to make a difference.
SPRING 2026
MARCH 28–APRIL 4
EASTER, APRIL 5
APRIL 12
Register and keep up with resources as they are added at absc.org/springoutreach.
10 Remington Drive | Little Rock, AR 72204
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK AR PERMIT # 1615