(Submitted photos)
FORREST CITY, Ark. –Liberty Baptist Association recently took a team to serve in Forrest City, where they partnered with Rusty Nails Cowboy Church conducting Backyard Bible Clubs, construction projects, and more.
Associational Missionary Wade Totty said the missions team was comprised of about 20 people, representing five of the churches within the Liberty Baptist Association.
The team led Backyard Bible Clubs in two neighborhoods, sharing the love of Christ with children and families while laying the foundation for ongoing ministries in those areas. One highlight was seeing the joy on kids’ faces as they engaged in the Bible clubs—it’s a powerful step toward long-term outreach, said Hillmon Davis, pastor at Rusty Nails Cowboy Church.
“The Backyard Bible Clubs brought the Gospel to life for kids in Forrest City, planting seeds for future ministries that we pray will grow deep roots in these neighborhoods,” Davis said.
Additionally, the team’s work crews made significant progress on finishing the recreation center at the church’s Steering Straight Recovery Ranch. Their efforts brought the church closer to completing a space that will serve as a beacon of hope for those in recovery. The space will provide men with a place for ongoing discipleship, fellowship, and quality time with their families.
“The Liberty Baptist Association’s dedication at the Recovery Ranch was inspiring—every nail hammered and board placed helped build not just a rec center, but a place for transformation and healing,” Davis said.
Revival services were also held each night with Liberty Baptist Association pastors – Donny Hargett of Calvary Trail Baptist Church, Ryan Huffty of East Main Baptist Church, Dano Rainer of Three Creeks Baptist Church, and Totty – delivering God’s Word. They had three professions of faith throughout the week.
“Rusty Nails Cowboy Church is doing some amazing things to serve their community. … It was an honor to come alongside their pastor, Hillmon Davis, and to hear his heart for reaching the people of Forrest City,” Huffty said. “This was a great opportunity for us to practice what we preach at East Main Baptist Church. Our vision is to see El Dorado, Arkansas, and the world transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The church is stronger when we come together, and we were grateful to be a part of this great week of ministry. I’m praying that we can take the lessons we learned in Forrest City and apply them to our ministry at home.”
Totty shared he felt the trip, July 20-24, went “very well.” He said some members of the missions team are already talking of returning to Forrest City when the weather cools to work more on the recreation center.