LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Executive Board of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) met Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Convention office in Little Rock.
The Board began the meeting in scripture and prayer. After reviewing minutes of the April 29 meeting and hearing words from outgoing ABSC Executive Director Dr. Rex Horne, the Executive Board unanimously voted in favor of Dr. Mark Dance as the next executive director. He will start in his new role Oct. 1.
Furthermore, the board approved the proposed 2026 budget ($20 million) recommended by the Finance Committee to be presented to messengers for a vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting, as well as the Program Committee’s recommendation for 2026 Team Goals.
Executive Board members also heard updates from five agencies and institutions of the ABSC: Williams Baptist University, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas Baptist Foundation, Camp Siloam and Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries.
Additionally, board members received news of a clean 2024 audit and heard testimonies from two Baptist Collegiate Ministry campus ministers – Jared Farley, University of Arkansas, and CJ Womack, University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Board members were also reminded of the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering and Week of Prayer, which is Sept. 14-21.