A sign marks the location of a new ministry site in Russellville. (ABCFM)
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Church and community partnerships are vital to the mission and ministry of Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries (ABCFM). These relationships have allowed us to expand into a statewide ministry, providing trusted, affordable counseling through more than 45 church-based locations. Our Markham Central office, now serving as our statewide hub, was once a church campus gifted to ABCFM. Church partners have also made it possible for us to offer private foster care across Arkansas, opening Christ-centered homes for children during their most vulnerable seasons.
Because of these partnerships, we are able to meet real needs in communities across the state. Volunteers, church groups, and local partners fill our resource centers with everything from hygiene kits and bedding to diapers and new toys, all to serve children and families. This ministry would not exist without those who choose to link arms with us.
First Baptist Church of Russellville has been a long-standing partner with our ministry through ABCFM Monticello, formerly known as the Baptist Home. Over the last few years, church staff have sought greater partnership with ABCFM through foster care and counseling services. ABCFM has been included in the church’s annual Missions Banquet, and in just a few weeks, they are hosting a fundraising banquet to help open more foster homes in the River Valley area.
At the same time as this growing church partnership was developing, conversations began with Gary and Jill Scarborough of EMDR Support Network and Seeds of Hope. Our relationship with them is longstanding through EMDR. Because ABCFM is a trauma-informed agency, this therapy plays a vital role in our counseling services. With multiple of our EMDR-trained therapists on our Living Well Counseling team, this partnership was a natural continuation of that mission. The Scarboroughs shared a desire for their clinical space in Russellville to remain viable and continue serving the community. Gary shared, “I celebrate the opportunity to partner with Living Well Counseling to bring good into the world. And that good will be compounded as it rolls on through the years.”
ABCFM leadership, a board member, and staff of FBC Russellville met to discuss joining in partnership through this building donated by EMDR Support Network. Because space at the church offered limited anonymity for clients, and with a shared desire to expand ministry in the community, the church became a financial partner to help renovate and operate this site. The new space now provides multiple ABCFM ministries and resources, including a play therapy room, Living Well counseling offices, a biological family visit room, and a Connected Families resource center for foster care.
“We’ve been sending direct gifts to the Arkansas Baptist Children’s and Family Ministries for as long as I can remember. We’ve always loved their work through the Children’s Home and fostering, and we’ve been so encouraged to watch the expansion of their services over the last decade or so to fulfill their mission to provide Christ-centered resources assisting fostering, adoption, family services or even mental health counseling. But all of that was sort of from a distance. And when we learned that we would have an opportunity to partner directly with them to bring a localized ministry right here in Russellville, we didn’t really need to pray about it. It was obvious that such a partnership was a natural fit for our church and community. And we are certainly praying that many people will be impacted on a personal level and come to know Jesus Christ as personal Savior through this ministry,” said Greg Sykes, pastor First Baptist Church Russellville
This partnership represents exactly what we pray for: churches seeing the need in their communities and choosing to meet it together. We are grateful for the heartbeat of FBC Russellville to serve its community through Christ-centered professional counseling, along with foster care and family resources. The impact of having trusted counseling, a child therapy center, and a foster care resource center available to this local community will be transformative.
Tim Noel, ABCFM Director of Church Partnership, shared, “One of the most exciting parts of my job is having the opportunity to join local churches in ministering to their community. Our dependence on these partnerships is vital because the church is already established in their community. To be able to come alongside churches with professional services and resources only amplifies the work God is already doing. I am grateful for FBC Russellville’s commitment to meet people where they are and their willingness to ensure the best resources are available for their community.”
This article was written by ABCFM.