LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention held their 167th Annual Meeting. To read an overview article of the entire 2020 ABSC Annual Meeting coverage, click here.
Highlights from Agencies/Institutions:
Arkansas Baptist Foundation (ABF) – Presented by Bobby Thomas, President & CEO:
- Since 1949, the ABF has distributed more than $458 million for God’s work in Arkansas and around the world.
- More than 60% of the distributions this past year went to Arkansas Baptist agencies, churches, institutions, or ministries.
- This past year alone, God has allowed the Foundation’s staff to prepare legacy giving plans totalling over $100 million.
- For the 2019-2020 school year, 269 scholarships were approved to be awarded to Southern Baptist students totaling $983,000.
Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH) – Presented by Dr. Derek Brown, Executive Director:
- The ABCH provided daily care for 348 children in transition.
- Through the year, we were able to celebrate safe and nurturing permanency for 139 children.
- 41 of these children were able to go to the home of a safe family member.
- 29 were adopted into a new family.
- 69 were kept together with their family.
- In addition to building these families, Living Well Counseling provided nearly 3,000 affordable Christian counseling sessions to children, adults, and families.
- More than 20% of the counseling sessions were provided to the ministry families of Arkansas Baptist churches.
Arkansas Baptist News (ABN) – Included in the Annual Meeting Report:
- There are 5,000 Arkansas Baptist subscribers to the biweekly eMagazine.
- On average, there are 50 new Arkansas Baptist subscribers per month.
- Since April 2020, the ABN has featured over 200 original articles about ministry work in Arkansas.
- Text “ABN” to 33777 to subscribe to the eMagazine for free.
Williams Baptist University (WBU) – Presented by Dr. Stan Norman, President:
- For the fall 2020 semester, there are 619 enrolled.
- The enrollment rate has increased by 12% since last fall.
- The enrollment rate has increased by 27% over the last two years.
- 44 students are in the inaugural class of “Williams Works.”
- 16 hours of work per week is required of Williams Works students each fall and spring semester in exchange for tuition and fees.
Camp Siloam – Presented by Jason Wilkie, Executive Director:
- Over the past 10 years, 47,097 campers have experienced a week of summer camp at Camp Siloam.
- Of those campers, 7,766 have made life changing commitments.
- In the last decade, 3,781 campers have made professions of faith; 749 campers have been called to missions or ministry; 450 campers have expressed an interest in baptism.
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU), Presented by Dr. Ben Sells, President:
- #2 Best Regional College in the South (U.S. News & World Report)
- #2 Most Conservative College in Arkansas (Niche.com)
- 1,704 students enrolled for the fall 2020 semester.
- 36% of freshmen have a 4.0+ high school GPA.
- 23% of freshmen are first-generation college students.
Each agency and institution had positive growth within their organization this year, even amidst the pandemic.
To view the official ABSC 2020 Annual Report, click here.