LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Several Arkansas Baptist church planters from around the state gathered on Saturday, June 3, at Dickey–Stephens Park in North Little Rock to relax, fellowship and watch an Arkansas Travelers game.
This get-together was part of the enhanced partnership –Send Network Arkansas – between the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB), which allows for several planter care events a year.
The church planting family fun trip to the Arkansas Travelers ballgame was one of those care events. It was not geared toward discipling or training.
“It was just pure fellowship. A way to blow off some steam, have some food and watch a game. I encouraged them not to talk shop. I just wanted them to have a nice, relaxed night,” ABSC Church Planting Team Leader Vince Blubaugh said. “We wanted them to just have a night to have fun.”
They had more than 60 people attend the ballgame.
The overall goal is for church planting families to know they are loved and prayed for and to provide an opportunity for church planting families to connect with each other at fun events, trainings, and/or retreats.
Earlier this year in February, Send Network South Director George Ross and his wife, Joy Ross, came and spoke at a marriage retreat for Send Network Arkansas church planting couples.
In April, several church planting wives met for a few hours of encouragement and fellowship. NAMB Church Planting Wives Coach Tami Lowman walked through truths of being “Rooted and Restored.”
Additionally, later this year, Send Network Arkansas church planting wives will have a wives retreat and attend the Inspire Women’s Conference together.
“The purpose is for us to love on our planters and to provide a sense of care to them. Let them know that they’re not alone and that there is a community of people who want to love on them and love on their families,” Church Planting Strategist Chanson Newborn said.