LITTLE ROCK – Kason Branch began serving July 6 as church planting catalyst for Arkansas Baptists, bringing experience in ministry leadership, church planting, and organizational development to the role. 

“I’m excited about joining the team and working with great people who love the Lord and want to advance His mission together,” Branch said. 

In his new role with the Missions Team, Branch will encourage and equip church planters, helping develop new congregations and strengthen efforts to reach communities throughout Arkansas. 

“I have a passion for reaching lost people with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Branch said. “Church plants typically do a great job of reaching lost people and those who have been ‘church hurt,’ and I want to support that work.” 

Branch most recently served as a church planting catalyst with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, where he coached and encouraged church planters while helping strengthen church planting efforts across the state. 

His ministry background also includes serving as a pastor, church planter, leadership coach and ministry strategist. He has spent years investing in leaders and helping churches pursue their mission through discipleship and outreach. 

“I love coaching new planters to be faithful to God’s call on their lives,” he said. “The Arkansas Baptist State Convention has a strong reputation across the Southern Baptist Convention, and I look forward to contributing to the work of advancing God’s kingdom together.” 

A native of Monticello, Branch met his wife, Shanea, who is from Stuttgart, while they were students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. They married in 2003 and have two children, Owen and Kayden. Owen attends Philander Smith University in Little Rock, where he plays baseball. 

Branch earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from UAPB. He is a licensed and ordained minister, holds a master’s degree in Christian leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Before entering vocational ministry, Branch began his professional career with AT&T as a member of the company’s Leadership Development Program. During his time there, he served as sales operations manager, control manager, project manager and associate director of operations. 

In May 2010, Branch became chief operating officer of Concord Church in Dallas, serving under Senior Pastor Bryan L. Carter. He led the church’s operations team and provided leadership for churchwide initiatives, including capital campaigns and facility expansion projects. 

In April 2016, Branch planted Creekstone Church in North Richland Hills, Texas, near Fort Worth after being sent by Concord Church. Under his leadership, the church developed a strong emphasis on discipleship, community engagement and gospel impact. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Kason back to Arkansas, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a pastor, church planter, and catalyst,” said Arkansas Baptists Executive Director Dr. Mark Dance. “He is also a trusted bridge-builder across the SBC, currently serving as a trustee for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and recently a Second Vice President of the SBC.”  

Missions Team Leader Dr. Sam Roberts said Branch brings “a wealth of church planting knowledge and experience from his own journey as a church planter, pastor and church planting catalyst with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.”  

“His experience in corporate management, pastoral ministry, academic emphasis on evangelism, and love for his family and the church will be greatly appreciated by Arkansas Baptists,” Roberts said. “He has already hit the ground running, and I can’t wait to introduce him to our Arkansas Baptist family.”