LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On January 1, 2022 several new hires began official business with their respective teams or locations at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC).
Missions Team
As was announced late last year, Bob Harper, former Missions Team Leader, retired from the ABSC and ministry after seven years of service.
Dr. Sam Roberts, who was the assistant team leader, was named as the new Team Leader of the Missions Team at the ABSC. Roberts has been with the ABSC since January 2019.
Executive Director Dr. J.D. “Sonny” Tucker expressed his confidence in Roberts, “It is an incredible honor to have Sam Roberts as the new team leader for the Missions Team. He is a proven leader as a pastor and state convention president and assistant team leader for the Missions Team. Sam is a great friend to all Arkansas Baptists with a burning heart for assisting churches in fulfilling their mission.”
Evangelism + Church Health (ECH)
The ECH team welcomed Jim Daniel as their new Worship Consultant, replacing Larry Grayson who retired in 2020 after 10 years of service at the ABSC.
Daniel comes from Centerton First Baptist Church in Northwest Arkansas after serving as their music minister for over 20 years.
“Jim Daniel is a diamond in the rough. Worship leaders in our state will be positively influenced by his passion for theologically rich worship that exalts the Lord and disciples the congregation,” Will McKay, Team Leader, said. “He brings vast experience in equipping individuals with basic musicianship and specific leadership skills needed to serve within the local church and beyond. He is God’s man for this season in worship ministry in Arkansas.”
College + Young Leaders (CYL)
The CYL team welcomed two new Baptist Collegiate Ministers on two campuses in January.
Phillip Slaughter, a name some might recognize, rejoins the CYL team as the BCM minister on the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) campus. Slaughter comes from serving as Pastor at Mansfield First Baptist Church for several years. Before that, he was the previous BCM minister at the University of Arkansas at Monticello from 2011-2016.
“I first met Phillip when I pastored in Monticello, AR. I witnessed first-hand that Phillip’s ministry reached and discipled UAM collegians in partnership with local churches at a very high level.” Bruce Venable, Team Leader, said. “Now some of those collegians are planting churches, serving in missions, and leading Christ-centered lives as families in the marketplace. Phillip spent the last five years as a pastor and desires to bring the leadership experience to UAFS as he partners with those churches for the kingdom. He has already made some key connections while out sharing the Gospel on campus. The Lord has blessed us greatly by bringing Phillip back to the BCM team and I anticipate a deep and impactful ministry.”
Adam McCampbell started at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville after being at Central Baptist Church in College Station, Texas as their missions minister for three years.
“When I first came into this role, Adam was transitioning to serve as Missions pastor in a Texas church. His ministry impact and vision were evident in Pine Bluff where he served FBC and volunteered as one of our community college BCM ministers. Adam’s view of ministry was greatly shaped while serving two years with IMB in India. He loves to train students and model evangelism,” Venable said. “I have no doubts that the Lord has placed him in a perfect spot where the church leaders’ hearts focus on disciple making and kingdom impact. He will be a great partner with them as they reach collegians at ATU. It will be exciting to see the Lord’s work there in the years to come.”
“God has given us two great men to serve as our newest collegiate ministers. BCM exists to assist churches in reaching the next generation with the gospel on the most strategic mission field in the world.”