The Rider Family: A story of love, sacrifice, and self-commitment
First United Methodist Church of Texarkana recently held “A Night of Worship” with special music, a chili supper, and a silent auction to benefit the Cyndy and Tommy Rider family of Texarkana. Cyndy and Tommy have adopted five children who are all siblings from the same broken home. Two of the children have been diagnosed […]
The Phillipi Project: A Veteran and Families Ministry
Co-written by Amy Ezell and Rev. Walt Garrett When asked how the Phillipi Project was born, Rev. Walt Garrett, Benton First UMC associate pastor, shared, “The Lord gave me ears to hear the needs of our veterans over a three-month span in 2022.” “Beginning in May 2022, with a ministry request from a veteran, a […]
Conway First UMC food pantry receives more than $10,000 from a community event
written by Colleen Holt, communications assistant, Conway First United Methodist Church A total of $10,101.80 was recently donated to the Conway First United Methodist Church Food Pantry through proceeds from an Oktoberfest event sponsored by The Kitchen Store & More, a downtown business with a rich history of supporting non-profit organizations across the community. Tricia […]
Beacon Churches Shine Amidst Disaffiliation in the Arkansas Annual Conference
In the late summer of 2022, several Arkansas United Methodist Churches began seeing an influx of new faces for worship on Sundays and online. Most of these people were not new to United Methodism, and in many cases, they happened to live more than 30 miles away from the new churches they were visiting in […]
North Little Rock First UMC hosts Youth Internship Day
written by Laura Turner, Communications Coordinator NLRFUMC On August 1, 2023, the youth group of North Little Rock First UMC participated in a “Youth Internship Day” with the staff of First United Methodist Church North Little Rock. A total of nine students ranging from ages 12-16 participated in a staff meeting; and then divided up […]
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Parking
First United Methodist Bentonville has been letting the community park in its downtown Bentonville parking lot for a long time. This has been a significant benefit for people visiting because downtown Bentonville’s development and events make parking hard to find. “One day, I parked in the lot for Saturday Farmers’ Market,” shared Jeff Rickard, member […]
6-year-old uses lemonade stand to raise money for Disaster Response
When disaster strikes, United Methodists take action. In April of this year, 6-year-old Etta Bolte took disaster response into her own hands with a lemonade stand in her driveway in Augusta. Last month, Etta and her mother, Ann Bolte, traveled to Little Rock to present the check for over $400 directly to Bishop Laura Merrill. […]
Midweek Manna Offers Nourishment for the Mind, Body, and Soul
Lakeside United Methodist Church and its Mi Casa ministry in Pine Bluff, AR recently received a $2,000 grant from 200K More Reasons to provide food and educational resources to both English and Spanish-speaking children and families. Mi Casa’s objective is to serve, educate and advocate for its community and is a Christian ministry, that seeks […]
200K More Reasons Opens Martha’s Door with $2,000 Grant
Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock has an almost 40-year history of feeding the homeless, working poor, and families in economic need. Recently, 200K More Reasons granted the church with $2,000 to continue serving sack lunches, bottled water, hygiene kits, and single-ride bus passes upon request to anyone who needs them. This […]
Vilonia UMC Receives Grant for Summer Feeding and Reading Ministry
200K More Reasons recently granted $2,000 to Vilonia United Methodist Church for its summer feeding ministry and reading program. This mission continues the church’s weekly Wednesdays at the Well program, which involves picking up children in the neighborhoods surrounding the church to serve them dinner, teach them bible lessons and return them home with a […]