LONOKE, Ark. – About 1,500 Arkansas Baptists fanned out across Lonoke and the surrounding area on Saturday, serving at 140 ministry sites as part of One Day 2026. 

One Day provides an annual opportunity for Arkansas Baptists to impact lostness in a specific area within the state.  

From block parties and children’s activities to nursing home visits, construction projects and door-to-door evangelism, volunteers spent the day working alongside local churches and building relationships with people in the community. 

“All of the ministries have focused on building relationships and sharing the gospel of Jesus at every opportunity. Our volunteers followed the examples that Jesus set by intentionally going to people who needed Him,” said Arkansas Baptists Regional Catalyst Clint Ritchie.  

At the morning kickoff at Lonoke High School, Ritchie encouraged volunteers to use every ministry opportunity to build relationships and share the gospel. “Everything we're doing today is about sharing the gospel,” he said. Volunteers traveled from as far as Bella Vista and Fort Worth, Texas, for the annual event.  

Saturday marked the 15th One Day since the initiative began in 2010. Ritchie said more than 25,000 Arkansas Baptists have participated in One Day over the years. 

At First Baptist Church Biscoe, volunteers served their community through a block party and no-sale yard sale, with additional outreach taking place in town through a car wash, prayer walk and door-to-door visits. 

It was the church’s first year participating in One Day, and Pastor Fred Dollar said some members initially were apprehensive about taking on something new. 

“I’ve been involved in missions personally, but I want my people to be involved in missions,” Dollar said. “I think it's been positive since we started this. People have been excited about it. Some of our leaders have never done [One Day] so they were a little bit apprehensive, but they’re breaking through that and stepping out on faith and just seeking to do a good work.” 

The church began preparing for One Day as soon as the event was announced, devoting a week to sorting and organizing items for the no-sale yard sale. For Angie Dixon, the site leader for the yard sale, that preparation paid off as volunteers were able to meet practical needs while building relationships and sharing the gospel. 

“They are evangelized when they’re here, no matter what event they go to,” Dixon said. “And when you plant that seed, Jesus does what He does with it, and we’re just glad to be a part of that.” 

For Haley Raymer, a senior in high school serving with Lone Star Baptist Church, One Day has become an opportunity to meet people, serve her community and share her faith. Saturday marked her third time participating. 

“I enjoy being with people, meeting new people, spreading the word of Jesus and doing good works,” Raymer said. 

Some of Raymer’s favorite memories from One Day have come through simple interactions. At a previous block party, a woman arrived as the event was ending and was disappointed that she had missed it. Volunteers sent her home with some extra hot dogs. 

“She was so excited, and she just kept saying thank you over and over again,” Raymer recalled. 

At another One Day, Raymer was helping with face painting when several girls asked if they could paint her face. Later, after receiving Bibles, the children gathered together and began reading them. 

Those experiences have shaped how Raymer thinks about serving others beyond One Day. 

“It’s made me know that I want to do stuff like this when I grow up,” she said. “Even if it’s not part of One Day, which I hope I can continue to do.” 

At the morning kickoff, Arkansas Baptists Executive Director Dr. Mark Dance reminded volunteers that the word “missionary” describes more than someone who participates in an occasional missions project. 

Dance said he had looked up the Webster dictionary definition of a missionary: “someone who is engaged in or devoted to missions.” 

“It’s not somebody who does missions. It’s not somebody who lives in missions. It’s somebody who is actually engaged in and devoted to missions,” Dance said. “Somebody who takes the Great Commission seriously and takes it personally.” 

Dance then connected that commitment to Jesus’ command to “go.” 

“When Jesus said go, that means you get up and go,” he said. “You not only got up today, and you got up early. It’s gonna be long. It’s gonna be awesome. It’s gonna be a wonderful day.” 

One Day is part of Arkansas Baptists’ broader emphasis on year-round missions. 

“Mission is more than just one day,” Dance said. “It’s something that we hope to do all year in different ways.” 

Ritchie reported that 238 people placed their faith in Jesus during the day's ministry.

“The impact of the day will continue this evening as the local churches begin to follow up,” Ritchie said. “I anticipate many first-time guests of these churches tomorrow, and only the Lord knows the full impact of today. But I am confident in saying that His kingdom has been advanced.” 

Ritchie also emphasized the potential for One Day to open doors for ongoing ministry. He recalled a church involved in last year’s One Day in the Jonesboro area that welcomed between 90 and 100 guests over the following year. 

“It’s not just today,” Ritchie said. “The impact continues often for months, if not even the next year.” 

The next One Day is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2027, in the Clear Creek Baptist Association, including Alma and Ozark. 

“Until then, keep telling people about Jesus,” Ritchie said.  

Events like One Day are made possible through the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.