I want to share a principle so simple that at first glance, it might seem too trivial to even mention. If you share the Gospel with more people, more people will have an opportunity to get saved.   How can a person respond to the Gospel if they do not even know what it is? “And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14, ESV). We know the above statement is true, but most of us still go day after day without sharing the Good News of Jesus.  Many Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) around the state are seeing people regularly come to Jesus. God is doing something s ..read more

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (4/15/24) – The Board of Trustees at Williams Baptist University approved the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year Tuesday, April 16. The board, meeting in regular session on the WBU campus, also voted to adopt a new mission statement and core values, as well as approving the slate of 2024 graduates. The board gave its approval to an $18.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget reflects a 3.2 percent increase from the current year. “We endeavored to present the board with a conservative budget, and that is what they approved,” said WBU President Dr. Stan Norma ..read more

On Baptism Sunday, April 7, First Baptist Church in DeWitt baptized five believers of Christ. (Submitted) Creative Content Producer Mary Alford and Community Missions Strategist Clint Ritchie contributed to this report. DeWitt, Ark. – The Lord is moving through Arkansas churches.   On Baptism Sunday, April 7, First Baptist Church in DeWitt baptized five believers of Christ. Two more baptisms were scheduled for the next Sunday.   “The Lord is working in our church a lot right now,” Pastor Jimmy Albrecht said.   Though they held a Living Last Supper event over Easte ..read more

HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. – April 9 marked a historic occasion in Helena-West Helena as members of Helena First Baptist Church deeded the church property to Second Baptist Church in West Helena on Park Avenue.  Seeing a decline in membership in recent years due to COVID and other factors, long-time church member Patty Smith said the congregation knew they had to do something, but they wanted the church to continue to be used for God’s will.    Cars are parked outside Helena First Baptist Church on April 9. (Mary Alford/ABN) Initially, members reached out to Arkansas Baptist Foundation ..read more

Photos by Alex Blankenship MARIANNA, Ark. – On the weekend of April 12-14, more than 160 students from 12 different churches gathered in Marianna for the annual Spring CONNECT student missions event. First Baptist Church, under the leadership of pastor Steven Price and the entire staff, served as the host church for the event.   Churches from the Tri-County Association and the Arkansas Valley Association provided ministry projects and volunteers to help lead each project. CONNECT participants ministered in Marianna, Moro, Cherry Valley, Forrest City, Marion and Helena-West Helena. Pr ..read more

Paul Williams, pastor at First Baptist Church in White Hall, is currently serving as president of the executive board of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. My office window faces east overlooking the large front lawn of our church. A benefit of this view is the morning scene of God’s sunrise. The colorful glow of the rays bouncing on the morning clouds paint the sky with shades of blue and orange. That scene moves me spiritually. It reminds me this day is going to be a good day and I want to say, “Good morning, God.”  Throughout my early years of Christianity, I was taught to always ..read more

iStockPhoto Managing church finances can be daunting even under the most favorable circumstances. Factor in complex tax reports, bank reconciliations, and ever-changing IRS and state guidelines, and you can guarantee church staff is overspending valuable time on processes that could be streamlined with help from a third party.   By outsourcing your payroll, bookkeeping, or a combination of services to a trusted third party, you can gain the freedom to focus on ministry, while saving time and money. Experienced providers can handle everything from basic accounting to payroll and contr ..read more

Winners in the youth and high school competition are shown, left to right, Noah Darnell, Julia Lentz, Aaden Thompson, Aubrey Lee, Alicia Lentz. LITTLE ROCK – On Saturday, April 13, there was an air of anticipation as 14 students arrived at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention building to compete before a panel of judges in the youth and high school divisions of the State Bible Drill competition.   This annual event is the culmination of months of memorization and practice calls by the students and their leaders. By the time the competitors arrive, they have competed at the church an ..read more

ABN staff photo WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – The Arkansas Master’Singers, in collaboration with the Williams Singers, are set to take the stage for a concert Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at Manley Chapel on the campus of Williams Baptist University.   Admission to the event is free.  Composed of ministers of music, worship leaders, directors, accompanists, and choir members hailing from Baptist churches across Arkansas, the Master’Singers embody a shared passion for music, worship, and fellowship. These individuals, representing diverse backgrounds and communities, unite in harmon ..read more

CROSSETT, Ark. – As an associational missionary, Joel Whitenton is looking to help promote the health of pastors and churches.   “Without healthy churches, we can’t accomplish what God wants us to do. Without healthy pastors, you don’t have healthy churches,” Whitenton said. “We’re always working on ways to make churches more healthy whether it be by training, encouragement, mentoring or filling in and helping churches during times of transition.”   Whitenton, who has served as the associational missionary for Ashley County Baptist Association since August 2021, said missions’ strate ..read more