written by Kelli Reep
Final Day of 2025 Annual Conference Finds Us Seeking the Lord
Worship opened with “I Sought the Lord,” the one who will never fail. The first business session of the day began with Rev. Maxine Allen, chair of the board of trustees, and the Mission Impossible theme. The full report is found on pages 38-39 in the pre conference journal.
“Working together in a shared, transparent ministry and utilizing sub-committees, we could get the work done,” Rev. Allen said. She then read a list of closed churches, remembered them for their legacies, and provided a prayer. Todd Burris explained next steps in trustee training, church insurance and managing costs.
Rev. Bill Sardin, chair of board of discipleship, announced about 10-15 people joined the first ARUMC 5k this morning. He presented the One Matters Award and $1,000 to Hays Chapel UMC. The Denman Evangelism Award is presented to Adam Kirby. The Laity Evangelism Award, which is taking the place of the Denman Award, is presented to The Bridge Committee at Russellville UMC. The full report can be found in the preconference journal on page 95.
Following trustee report, institutions provided their reports, which can be found on pages 116-149 in the preconference journal.
The second business session began with a report from the Board of Global Ministries. Sarah Argue is chair of COSROW and provides her report on the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. Next, the Committee on Disability Concerns gave its report, and the United Women in Faith provide their report for the year. The Conference Lay Servant Ministries provided a report and recognized seven new certified lay servants. Rev. Wayne Clark, CEO of The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, gave a report for that organization. He then announced $30,000 will be awarded to the Lydia Patterson Institute from The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. Dr. Carla Cardoza, president and CEO of Lydia Patterson Institute, then addressed the body about what is happening now with funding and VISA processing. Hendrix University, Philander Smith University, Gammon Theological Seminary and Southern Methodist University gave reports on updates on their campuses.
The Bishop gave a moment of recognition to those taking the Word outside the local church. She then recognized our military chaplains. They bring the gospel of peace in the midst of war.
After the lunch break was worship and the Celebration of Life Service for those who entered the church triumphant for the past year. Rev. Jaimie Alexander led the service, and Bishop Merrill read their names:
- Aaron Barling
- Nell Barling
- John Collier
- Gerald “Jerry” Collins
- J. Earl “Judge” Coker
- James “David” Crooks
- Aelisa Darling
- Cynthia “Cindy” Davis
- Kenneth Dunn
- Donald “Don” Eubanks
- Phillip “Phil” Fitzhugh
- Roger Glover
- Larry Goza
- Ralph Hemund
- Travis Jackson
- Mary Jones
- Richard “Dick” Leach
- Vaughn Marsden
- Jerry Matthew
- Mardell McClurkin
- Patricia “Diane” Miller
- Larry Morris
- Barbara Mulkey
- Louis Mulkey
- Robert O’Nale
- Marie Poarch
- George Rhoads
- William “Paw Paw” Robinson, Jr.
- Gene Ross
- Alzean Stewart
- Vondala Trout
- Bennie Warner
- Harmon Whitehurst
- Richard Wilke
- Sharon Wilson
Bishop then welcomed all to the Lord’s table for communion.
The afternoon business session included the announcement of a marketing communications plan for churches and missions within the Arkansas Annual Conference based on Following Jesus. Loving People. Sharing Grace. More information will be coming about this new campaign.
The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church wrapped the 2025 annual conference by setting appointments and sending forth to follow Jesus, loving people and sharing grace.