Horne looks to future full of hope

Dr. Rex Horne delivers a message on Sunday, May 7, during Arise in northwest Arkansas at First Baptist Church in Rogers. (ABN)

Little Rock, Ark. – Efficient. Effective. Energized. 

After being named the executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC), Dr. Rex Horne is using these words to encapsulate his vision. 

“No matter where we are or where we serve, no matter how small or how large, it’s all a great work when it’s done in the name of the Lord and in the power of His Spirit and for the good of people. I want to keep that before us,” Horne said.  

Horne longs to carry on Gospel work with efficiency, effectively network with Arkansas Baptists from around the state while meeting their needs, and passionately work together for the glory of the Lord. 

“I wouldn’t be in this position, leading at this time, if I didn’t think there is great worth and value in Arkansas Baptists working together,” Horne said. 

Horne is thankful for how the Lord has worked in his life to prepare him for this role. From serving as a pastor and the president of Ouachita Baptist University to spending the last year as interim executive director of the ABSC, God has ordained this moment. 

“It was in a Southern Baptist church that I was introduced to Christ,” Horne said. “I have no memory without the church, and it was a Baptist church, an Arkansas Baptist church.” 

Horne has been encouraged by the work of Arkansas Baptists since then. He has been mentored and loved on. He has seen first-hand the positive impact of unity and cooperation. 

“We’ll never replace the personal touch,” Horne said. 

Living life like Barnabas as described in Acts 11, he believes, will maintain the foundation built in 1848 when the ABSC was formed.  

“The one thing I want to be is accessible and available to churches,” Horne said. “I tell people all the time, let me know what I can do to help. Let me know what you need from us. I look forward to spending time going across our great state. Every part of the state’s important to us, and I want to be available to all.” 

Horne plans to intentionally visit with pastors, staff, associational missionaries, churches and their laity. 

He also seeks wisdom from the Lord. 

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” In his first meeting with ABSC employees as executive director, Horne encouraged them to pray this verse at 1:05 p.m. every afternoon. 

“Are we moving positively? Are we moving together? Are we listening? Are we adjusting?” Horne asked.  

In asking these questions and working with fellow believers, Horne is looking at the big picture. 

“The first task is to see the whole – the movement, the direction, the needs of the whole. That does not lessen the importance of the individual or of the different segments or parts of the work,” Horne said. “All of that is very important, but you need to see the whole thing. And then, as you see it, [you need] to foster that cooperation and trust among those who serve here but also those that we are serving.” 

From this vantage point, Horne is more than hopeful about the future of the ABSC. 

 “I see it’s very promising,” Horne said. “We’ve all used the verse: ‘where there is no vision, the people perish.’ Well, there’s always been vision in the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. So, we can flip it as pastors and teachers have through the years: where there is vison, the people flourish.” 

Press on. That is what he is prodding pastors and lay leaders around the state to do.  

“If we just, again, concentrate on the things that we are doing together in the name of Christ, it’s a very hopeful and encouraging picture. It doesn’t mean we can’t do better and shouldn’t do better, but I think…this is a good time.” 

He believes “the way to change Arkansas is together,” and he is humbled that the Lord would allow him to play a part.  

“Really, the only thing I want to do in my life is make a difference in the lives of others and, hopefully, to make a positive difference in the work and ministry of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention,” Horne said.