LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Baptist Foundation (ABF) celebrated 75 years on Thursday, May 9, at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC).
“We are what we celebrate, and for the Foundation’s 75th anniversary we wanted to celebrate God’s people, specifically the Foundation’s staff and board members as well as God’s provision as we continue to serve Arkansas Baptists,” ABF President/CEO Bobby Thomas said.
Special guests at the event included ABSC Executive Director Dr. Rex Horne, GuideStone President/CEO Hance Dilbeck and WatersEdge CEO Robert Kellogg. Cory Epps of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro led worship. Dessert and fellowship followed the program.
Byron Eiseman, who served on the ABF Board of Directors for several years, described the anniversary celebration as a homecoming. Eiseman joined the board during Harry Trulove’s term as president.
“When I got the call one day from Harry Trulove asking me to be on the board, I was really very, very pleased. I knew it would be a great opportunity,” Eiseman said. “I was somewhat of a youngster at that time. The fellowship with members of the board was good. I got to know Baptists on a statewide basis that I would not have gotten to know otherwise, and I had the chance to visit with a number of those here today which has been kind of a homecoming.”
Trulove served as ABF president from 1974-1994. When Trulove retired, Eiseman was asked to be chairman of the search committee to find a successor. Of 69 applications, he said the board unanimously selected David Moore, who served as ABF president from 1994-2015.
“David has proven the committee’s decision to be very good over and over again. He added to that by being the one to want Bobby as his successor and Bobby has proven to be absolutely the right person to have been appointed to that,” Eiseman said.
During his remarks at the anniversary celebration, Kellogg touted the ABF team and leadership throughout the years.
“I can confidently say the Arkansas Baptist Foundation is a top tier organization in terms of impact, breadth of services, strategy, execution and specifically leadership. … You have an amazing team,” Kellogg said. “I am not an Arkansas native but watching from afar it is evident to me that the Arkansas Baptist Foundation has a rich, honorable, and storied 75-year heritage worth celebrating.”
Furthermore, Kellogg said it is apparent that Arkansas Baptist Foundation stewardship is building a legacy of Kingdom impact as evidenced by its commitment of serving, advising and encouraging Arkansas Baptist ministries. He said that is further evidenced by the record distributions to Kingdom impact in ministries in recent years.
Since 1949, the Foundation has distributed more than $575 million for God’s work in Arkansas and around the world. This past year, the Foundation had the opportunity to distribute $50,394,184.
“I am confident that the second 75 years will be greater than the first. … Congratulations on the 75th anniversary. It is a milestone worth celebrating,” Kellogg said.
The main mission of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation is to serve, advise and encourage the churches, agencies, institutions and ministries of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
For more information about the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, visit abf.org.
(Photos by Ethan Dial)