Arkansas Baptists leaders are putting a greater emphasis on being present with churches and pastors through a new regional strategy designed to build relationships and provide support closer to home. 

Introduced earlier this year as part of a staff reorganization led by Executive Director Dr. Mark Dance, the regional catalyst strategy is part of the Convention’s commitment to walking alongside pastors and churches through encouragement, resources and ministry support.  

The strategy assigns experienced ministry leaders to five geographic regions of Arkansas. By serving within their assigned regions, the catalysts will work to build stronger connections with ministry leaders, assist with ministry needs, and create opportunities for encouragement, networking, and partnership with churches and associations. 

Arkansas Baptists Pastor + Church Health Team Leader Dr. Marcus Brown said the strategy comes from a desire to strengthen the Convention’s connection with churches across the state. 

 “This regional strategy enables our staff to be proactive as we fulfill our mission to come alongside pastors and churches to assist them as they work to fulfill the Great Commission,” Brown said, emphasizing that the goal is not simply to provide another ministry resource, but to enjoy personal connections between convention staff, churches and associations throughout Arkansas. 

The five regional catalysts include Clint Ritchie in Northeast Arkansas, Jeremy Woodall in Southeast Arkansas, Steven Price in Southwest Arkansas, Rob Futral in Northwest Arkansas, and Bob Johnson in Central Arkansas.  

Clint Ritchie serves Northeast Arkansas  

For Clint Ritchie, serving as a regional catalyst is a natural extension of years spent investing in pastors across Arkansas. 

Ritchie previously served as assistant team leader on the Arkansas Baptists Missions Team, where he worked alongside pastors and churches throughout the state. Before joining Arkansas Baptists in 2019, he spent 18 years in pastoral ministry, serving churches in Arkansas and Mississippi. 

Ritchie believes the regional approach allows Arkansas Baptists to become more proactive in encouraging ministry leaders and partnering with associational missions strategists. 

"They appreciate the opportunity to talk with someone and not be rushed," Ritchie said. "Somebody who came for the purpose of sitting down and just conversing with them." 

Jeremy Woodall serves Southeast Arkansas  

For Jeremy Woodall, serving Southeast Arkansas is both a homecoming and an opportunity to invest in pastors where he grew up. 

Woodall recently returned to Monticello after serving as director of Metro New Orleans Baptist Collegiate Ministry. His ministry experience includes collegiate ministry, church planting, youth and family ministry, athletics chaplaincy, intentional interim ministry and pastoral leadership. 

"Pastors and associational mission strategists are the heroes," Woodall said. "We want to come alongside them, support the vision God has already given them and help their ministries be successful." 

Steven Price serves Southwest Arkansas  

Steven Price believes every Arkansas community needs a healthy church. 

Most recently, Price served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna after previously serving in student ministry at churches in Monticello and Brookland. He also has experience as a bivocational pastor and church staff member. 

Price, who will begin serving in this new role on August 17, said he looks forward to encouraging pastors through genuine relationships while partnering with associational mission strategists. 

"Pastors really are my heroes," Price said. "Ministry can be lonely and tiring. My desire is simply to be their friend and come alongside them." 

Bob Johnson serves Central Arkansas  

Bob Johnson brings more than 40 years of ministry experience to his role serving churches in Central Arkansas. 

Johnson sensed God's call to ministry as a teenager and began serving at First Baptist Wooster while completing his education. His ministry has included worship, student, senior adult and education ministries, church administration and service as an associational missions strategist with North Arkansas Baptist Association. 

Johnson said the regional catalyst role creates opportunities to build long-term relationships while strengthening partnerships with associational missions strategists. 

"This allows us a way to connect with churches that we haven't been able to before," Johnson said. 

Dr. Rob Futral serves Northwest Arkansas  

Dr. Rob Futral is bringing more than 30 years of pastoral and ministry leadership experience to his new role serving churches in Northwest Arkansas. 

Futral has served in ministry for more than 30 years in Louisiana, Mississippi and Southern California. His experience includes six pastorates, church planting, and pastoral coaching.  

Futral currently serves as professor of Biblical Studies and Leadership at Cross Theological Seminary, a role he will continue while serving with Arkansas Baptists in a part-time capacity.  

He said the two positions complement one another, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping and encouraging ministry leaders. 

"We look forward to walking alongside the pastors who are doing such great work," Futral said. "Any way that we can be an encouragement to them along the way, that's our hope." 

When addressing the fact that Futral will be serving as a part-time regional catalyst in the most populous region of the state, Brown said of Futral, “Rob is uniquely positioned to connect with and encourage pastors while also helping our team develop a strategic plan for ministry in the fastest growing area of our state.” 

A statewide investment in pastors and churches 

While each regional catalyst brings a unique ministry background and serves a different part of Arkansas, they share a common purpose: strengthening those who serve on the front lines of gospel ministry. 

“Our Regional Catalysts are the tip of the Arkansas Baptist spear,” Dr. Dance said. “They are experienced ministry leaders who know firsthand the challenges in the local church. Each catalyst is eager to help other pastors fulfill their calling.” 

As the strategy develops, Arkansas Baptists leaders hope pastors, churches and associations will experience a stronger connection with the convention and with ministry partners across the state. 

Photo cutline: The five regional catalysts include Rob Futral in Northwest Arkansas (from left), Jeremy Woodall in Southeast Arkansas, Steven Price in Southwest Arkansas, Bob Johnson in Central Arkansas and Clint Ritchie in Northeast Arkansas.