Thirteen Arkansas Baptist church planters and their families had an opportunity to retreat to Camp Paron for a weekend early this June. It was an incredible weekend of fellowship, rest, worship, prayer, and basketball. The planters also gave testimonies of what God is doing in and through their church plants and how He is working in the state of Arkansas.

Joey Cook shared what the Lord is doing through City Church in Conway because of the relationships made through the impact of the Gospel. Roderick Rogers in Fordyce said the Lord recently provided—through their sponsor church—the funds for his youth to attend summer camp. Harvey Hibner in Pine Bluff talked about how the Lord answered a huge prayer by providing an inexpensive van to purchase that will provide transportation for their mobile ministry center throughout the inner city. 

The ABSC Church Planting Team also gathered around planters who are burdened by tough situations and are being attacked by the enemy, both personally and in ministry. They lifted them up in prayer, praying that they would hold fast to the promise that the Lord is faithful.

The diversity and unity among planters was evident and encouraging. There were families representing churches from the Delta all the way to Bentonville. The kids had a blast swimming, playing, roasting s’mores, and getting plenty of energy out while the planters and their wives left recharged and encouraged.