In 2024, the Foundation celebrated 75 years of serving Arkansas Baptists. Throughout the year we were honored to remember and celebrate the ways we had the opportunity to serve, advise, and encourage Arkansas Baptists in our history.
I was reminded by a friend and colleague of mine recently of the three roles of a leader in scripture—servant, steward, and shepherd. Daily, we try to emulate and honor these roles in our work at the Foundation, specifically servant and steward. As we communicate with churches and pastors across the state, our aim is to follow our mission to serve, advise, and encourage in areas where our staff are gifted and equipped. These leadership roles of servant and steward are a part of the Foundation’s DNA and history allowing us, as a team, to do what we are called to for Arkansas Baptists.
God, in His grace, continues to provide people with character, integrity, and skill to join our team to serve Arkansas Baptists. In 2024 we had three team members join us: Addie Chumley, Administrative & Communications Assistant; Renee Bond, Ministry & Support Assistant; and Emma Jumper, Ministry Services Attorney. We also had the opportunity to thank Diane Sumners for her 15 years of service at the Foundation as she retired in May 2024. Patrick Henry transitioned to a new role as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We are grateful for his time on our staff and know his experience at the Foundation will continue to enhance his ability to be of great service to Arkansas Baptists.
The last 10 years at the Foundation have been a reminder of the abundance of God’s faithful provision described in the fish and loaves moment in Mark 6 as we had another record year of total distributions in 2024. Over the last 75 years, the Foundation has distributed over $631 million to further the Kingdom in Arkansas and around the world. We have seen nearly 90% of our total distributions in the last 25 years! These distributions embody our ministry of stewardship, but most importantly represent God’s abundant provision. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving, advising, and encouraging Arkansas Baptists for the next 25 years all for God’s glory!