By Jeff Herring, Executive Editor • Baptist Trumpet
Messengers from across Arkansas gathered at Central Baptist College in Conway on Nov. 6 for the 76th annual session of the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas. The one-day meeting, with the theme “For the Sake of the Name” (III John 7), blended heartfelt worship, clear reports and cooperative decision-making as churches celebrated what God is doing through their shared mission.
A Spirit of Unity and Purpose
President Tony Crocker presided over the meeting, assisted at various times by First Vice President Mike Book and Second Vice President Derrick Bremer. The day’s sessions were filled with warm fellowship, thoughtful discussion and a common desire to strengthen every area of ministry in the BMA of Arkansas.
Eighty-six churches were represented — 32 by letter and 54 by messenger — comprising 99 registered messengers and 28 visitors, for a total of 127 officially registered as present. Still, the evening worship service, led by the Central Baptist College Music Department, drew an even larger crowd as BMA members and guests filled the Burgess Auditorium for a time of praise, worship and preaching. A total of $6,048.12 was received for the Annual Meeting Fund, which is used to cover expenses associated with the annual meeting.
Business and Recommendations
Throughout the morning and afternoon sessions, messengers heard reports from each department, acted on recommendations and approved one constitutional change. Upon the recommendation of the Credentials Committee, messengers voted to temporarily suspend Article III, Section 3 of the Principles of Cooperation to allow for the acceptance of one petitioning church — Iglesia Bautista Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ Baptist Church) of North Little Rock. The church, formerly a mission work, was organized this year under the leadership of Pastor Juan Carlos Posadas and was welcomed into full fellowship with the association.
Messengers also approved a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the term limits for recording secretaries, as outlined in Article 7, Section 1, allowing for continuity among clerical officers. The motion passed following discussion and was approved in the second general session.
Reports from Partner Ministries
During the first general session, representatives from several national BMA departments and partner ministries shared encouraging updates.
BMA Global President Dr. John David Smith spoke about ongoing mission efforts and church-planting partnerships around the world. BMA Theological Seminary Vice President Dr. David Hellwig reported on the seminary’s continued commitment to equipping pastors and ministry leaders.
Daniel Springs Executive Director Jason Prewitt gave an update on recent improvements and upcoming retreats. Lifeword Director of Operations Luis Ortega shared about expanded media outreach efforts. Dr. Russell Threet shared a report from Baptist Publishing House, and BMA Financial Services Executive Director Dr. Steve Crawley expressed the desire to be on the team in helping pastors and staff members succeed in retirement.
Stuart Estes, team lead at the Association of Baptist Students (ABS) ministry at the University of Arkansas, reported on a shift in ministry focus and partnership with BMA Global’s Sean Richards to engage the next generation through discipleship and missions on campus.
Departmental Highlights
• Central Baptist College — Dr. Jeremy Langley, newly affirmed as president, shared an encouraging report that reflected significant progress for the college. Enrollment rose 4.2% from the previous fall, with 570 students now enrolled and record numbers living on campus. Langley expressed gratitude for the renewed financial stability and prayer support from BMA churches, emphasizing that CBC continues to fulfill its mission to “transform lives through education that integrates Christian faith and academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment.”
• Youth Department (Student Ministry Matters) — Director Dan Carson reported continued growth in both participation and resources for the BMA of Arkansas Youth Department. In addition to the ongoing Student Ministry Matters podcast, which recently surpassed 200 episodes and 37,000 downloads, the department has launched a Substack publication and a new partnership with Shaping Student Ministry to provide digital resources for youth workers. The eighth annual Student Ministry Workers Retreat hosted at CBC welcomed around 75 participants, and plans are underway for the ninth retreat in September 2026.
The association voted to continue Dan Carson’s leadership as director, to increase his salary to $1,000 per month plus expenses, and encouraged churches to support the department financially and through prayer.
• State Missions — Executive Director Paul White shared that the missions department currently has six men on the field in Pea Ridge, Flippin, Benton, Jacksonville, Springdale and West Little Rock. He expressed gratitude for continued financial stability and for churches that have reinvested property and funds into missions after disbanding. White introduced a potential new “team planting” model for future works, allowing two or three men to begin mission efforts together to strengthen long-term success.
A highlight of the Missions Committee report was the election of Neptaly and Manuela Molina as full-time missionaries, serving with Michael Hight in the Hispanic mission work in the Cabot/Jacksonville area.
The Advisory Committee recommended a 2% cost-of-living increase for all missionaries and office staff and reaffirmed the continuation of current mission projects. The Revolving Loan Fund Committee, chaired by Dr. Gary O’Neal, also presented its annual report and recommendations, maintaining the 15-year interest-free loan policy for mission congregations and encouraging missions to remit above-base payments to strengthen future funds.
• Baptist Trumpet — I presented the report for the Baptist Trumpet, sharing how the publication continues its 85-year legacy of keeping BMA churches informed, inspired and involved. With more than 5,400 subscribers and 216 participating churches each week, the ministry remains a vital link connecting congregations across the state.
I shared that while the Trumpet continues to operate on a lean budget, God has faithfully provided through the ongoing support of our readers and churches. Six recommendations from the Publications Committee were adopted, including a subscription rate adjustment to $72 per year for individual subscribers ($6 per month) and $67.50 per church-plan member ($1.50 per issue). The adjustment reflects rising production costs and helps ensure continued stability for this cooperative communication effort.
The committee also recommended a 3% salary increase for the executive editor and nominated me to continue serving in that role with their full endorsement.
Worship and the Annual Message
The evening worship service, led by the CBC Music Department, centered hearts in gratitude and praise. Executive Director Paul White delivered the annual message — “Your Reasonable Service: A Life of Spiritual Worship” from Romans 12:1-2. He reminded listeners that offering our lives as a living sacrifice to God is not extreme but the most reasonable response to His mercy and grace.
Messengers elected officers for the coming year:
• President — Mike Book (Prospect, Jonesboro)
• First Vice President — James Crews (Friendship, Greenbrier)
• Second Vice President — Danny Paul (Grace, Russellville)
• Recording Secretaries — Wes Hulvey (Springdale, Springdale) and Randy Shepherd (Spring Lake, Texarkana)
Dr. Tim Brewer, CBC professor and pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Guy, was elected to deliver the annual message at next year’s meeting, with Harold Smith serving as alternate.
Next year’s 77th annual session of the BMA of Arkansas is scheduled for November 5-6, 2026, at Central Baptist College. Messengers expressed appreciation for the hospitality and facilities provided by CBC and some shared feedback that the one-day format, while efficient, felt rushed and left little time for fellowship and connection.
Encouragement to Reconnect
As the meeting concluded, leaders encouraged pastors and church members to make plans now to attend next year’s meeting — not only to hear reports and conduct business, but also to worship, fellowship and renew friendships across the state.
Many left encouraged by the reports of what God is doing across Arkansas and beyond, and hopeful for more opportunities to gather, pray and serve together.
The strength of the BMA of Arkansas has always rested in churches working together for the gospel. Gathering face-to-face reminds us that we are more than individual congregations — we are a family of believers united by a shared mission.
