Students worship during Reality Check at First Baptist Church in El Dorado. (Submitted)
Disciple Now (DNow) events across the state are serving as catalysts for students to grow in their faith and take bold next steps in their walk with Christ.
DNow is a weekend conference for sixth through 12th grade students. Over the weekend, students participate in large group worship, small group Bible studies, and outreach/recreation.
In El Dorado, First Baptist Church recently welcomed 108 students on its campus for its big DNow weekend – Reality Check.
Student Pastor Colby Williamson said Reality Check is one of the most anticipated weekends of the year for their students.
“As far as camps or trips or whatever, this is the thing they look forward to every year,” he said.
“I think the goal for Reality Check as we plan it every year is just to have a time of students being able to worship not just with their ‘every week’ peers, but we have a lot of students that come from other churches in El Dorado,” Williamson said. “Everything is cleared, everyone has one goal, and it is just to worship together through the weekend.”
Williamson described the weekend as “incredible.” Worship was led by Cory and Stephanie Epps of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Luke Dawson, University of Arkansas Fort Smith BCM Director, shared scripture. “They are top notch and know how to engage our students well and get them involved in worship and get them excited in worship and what’s coming next,” Williamson said.
Over the weekend, Williamson reported 33 decisions – 20 to follow Jesus and 13 for baptism and rededication.
In a follow-up Facebook post on Sunday, Feb. 16, Williamson said, “I’m thankful for a God who loves us and wants us near to Him. As I look at empty seats, it’s a reminder that there’s still work to do, but I’m thankful that FBC Eldo got to taste some of the Kingdom this weekend.”
First Baptist Church in El Dorado is just one Arkansas Baptist church hosting weekends for students to come together and worship. First Baptist Church in Benton hosted United Conference over the weekend.
Junior/Senior High Pastor Aaron Russell said United Conference is “a weekend worship experience designed to bring middle school and high school students together from across Saline County to encounter Jesus in a powerful way.” This year, 13 churches partnered together to create a unified space for worship, teaching, and discipleship.
“Through dynamic worship, biblical teaching, and intentional community, United Conference serves as a catalyst for students to grow in their faith and take bold next steps in their walk with Christ,” Russell said in an email.
Beyond worship and teaching, students also had the opportunity to serve. On Saturday afternoon, they spread out into the community to make a tangible difference and live out their faith. Later that evening, they collected a special offering for a local ministry, New Beginnings, which serves women and their families in Saline County with pregnancy resources. Russell said students rallied together and raised $1,300 to support this ministry, demonstrating that unity in Christ goes beyond just worship—it moves us to action.
The heart of United Conference is rooted in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23: “that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
Russell said the goal is to bring the church together, breaking down denominational and church-specific barriers so students can see the bigger picture of God’s Kingdom.
“In a world marked by division, we want students to experience firsthand the power of unity in Christ. When we stand together, we can do more for the glory of God and advance the Gospel more effectively,” Russell said. “United Conference isn’t just about an event—it’s about igniting a movement of students who are passionate about Jesus, connected to their local churches, and committed to making an impact in their communities.”
Ed Newton and Sean Emory served as speakers, bringing powerful messages of encouragement and challenge. Simple Worship led students in a time of worship, drawing students into the presence of God.
More than 100 students made significant next-step decisions in their faith—whether it was salvation, baptism, re-surrendering their lives to Christ, or answering a call to ministry.
Events like United Conference are more than just a weekend experience—they are defining moments in students’ spiritual journeys, Russell said.
“In a culture that constantly competes for their attention and pulls them in different directions, this conference provides an intentional space for them to unplug, focus on Jesus, and be surrounded by peers and mentors who are seeking the same thing,” he said. “These events give students a clear understanding of the Gospel, challenge them to take personal steps in their faith, and remind them that they are part of something much bigger than themselves.”
Furthermore, Russell said the events strengthen the local church by fostering relationships across congregations and showing students the power of unity in Christ and provides opportunities for them to put their faith into action through service and generosity, making a tangible difference in their community.
“The lasting impact of weekends like this goes beyond what we can measure—lives are changed, faith is deepened, and students walk away with a renewed commitment to living for Jesus,” he said.
Both Russell and Williamson said the success of these events relied on the generosity and dedication of countless volunteers. Between both events, hundreds of college students and adults served as leaders and host families, discipling students and creating a welcoming environment for them to grow.