ROGERS, Ark. – After years of decline, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Rogers is experiencing renewed life through growing attendance, baptisms and a fresh vision for ministry.  

"They were ready to have church again," Pastor Johnny Harp said. "They were ready to be effective again." 

Harp came to Pleasant Hill earlier this year after being invited to teach a Wednesday Bible study and luncheon following his retirement from Lakeview Baptist Church in Cave Springs. What began as a temporary opportunity soon became a pastoral calling. 

What he found was a church many people thought was nearing the end of its ministry. What he saw was something different. 

"I went home and I told my wife, I said, 'I believe that God's calling us to go to that little church,'" Harp said. "Everybody thought that they were going to close the doors any day and be gone. We didn't think that God was done with that church." 

The church later called Harp as pastor, and he began serving there on the first Sunday in March. 

One of the first goals Harp set after becoming pastor was returning the congregation to its main sanctuary by Easter. A fly infestation had forced the church to worship in the smaller chapel. 

"Our goal, our vision, was to start using the sanctuary again on Easter Sunday," he said. "So, we've got about two months here to prepare ourselves mentally, spiritually, physically, everything, so that we'll be ready to go back in there." 

In the weeks leading up to Easter, church members worked to prepare the sanctuary for reopening while also praying for renewed growth. Harp challenged the congregation to trust God for 150 people in attendance on Easter Sunday. 

By Easter, the church had returned to its sanctuary and welcomed 150 people, meeting the goal Harp had set just weeks earlier. The day also brought another reason to celebrate: two teenage boys who had recently professed faith in Christ were ready to be baptized. The baptistry, however, had not been used in eight years. 

"We went to try to fill the baptistry up, and the baptistry hadn't been used," Harp said. "It was froze up. The pump wouldn't work." 

With the help of a friend, Harp repaired the pump and got the baptistry operational again. Although the front glass came loose while it was being filled, the church filled the baptistry as much as possible and baptized the two young men. 

Those baptisms became one of several signs of renewed life within the congregation. 

Since March, the church has seen professions of faith, rededications and baptisms. Attendance has grown from roughly 15 to 20 people when Harp arrived to around 80 on recent Sundays.  

Additionally, the church recently approved approximately $30,000 in renovations and has begun work on facility improvements. Harp also hopes the congregation will become known for discipleship and training believers to help others grow in their faith. 

"If we make it, and if we do what we're hoping to do, what we think God has called us to do, what we're going to be the best at is teaching people how to be disciples," he said. 

Marcus Brown, Pastor + Church Health Team leader with Arkansas Baptists, said what God is doing at Pleasant Hill is a “great example of how a church can enjoy revitalization that comes through God-given enthusiasm about reaching people.” 

“Bro. Johnny and Cheryl Harp are both great Arkansas Baptists who were open to how the Lord might direct them in retirement,” Brown said. “The Harps are excited…the church is excited, and that is fostering a sense of anticipation that God is going to continue working and accomplishing great things in and through the ministry of Pleasant Hill.” 

Harp is no stranger to church revitalization. Before retiring from Lakeview Baptist Church, he spent two decades helping lead growth and ministry expansion there. 

Reflecting on both experiences, he said churches seeking renewal must begin with surrender and prayer. 

"You and God can do anything, absolutely anything that He calls you to do," Harp said. 

He also offered encouragement to pastors and churches facing discouragement. 

"Pray small prayers," he said. "Pray small prayers and look for small mountains to overcome." 

Harp believes churches often quit because they fail to celebrate the victories God provides along the way. 

"If you don't have a success along the way somewhere, you'll quit," he said. "It's just too hard. So, you need to look for some small successes." 

Today, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church's parking lot is often full, something Harp said would have been difficult to imagine only a few months ago. 

Still, he insists attendance is not the ultimate measure of success. 

"The goal is one more, is it not? Is it not one more?" Harp said. "One more life saved, one more life discipled. One more person sold out for Christ. One more." 

The conviction that first drew him to Pleasant Hill remains unchanged. 

"God's not done with that church," Harp said.