College+Young Leaders Team
The College+Young Leaders (CYL) Team at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) gained a new team member on June 1. Chris Larmoyeux will be the new Assistant Team Leader for CYL. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Larmoyeux is no stranger to the ABSC.
Larmoyeux and his family have deep roots as Arkansas Baptists, especially on the CYL team. He served as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) Minister at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith then at the University of Central Arkansas for a total of seven years. He pastored for six years before going to the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries and serving as Director of Missions Advancement most recently.
“I absolutely love what I’ve been doing at the Children’s Homes,” he said. “I think it’s a unique ministry…and it’s incredible, but when Bruce [team leader of CYL] asked if I could come on board and consider it, I was excited about it and knew I at least needed to hear what he had to say.”
Larmoyeux will primarily be working on finances, personnel, and property, but the thing he is most excited about is connecting with the BCM ministers across the state and building those relationships hands on.
“I’m really excited about being a support for the campus ministers and really also a support for Bruce for whatever he needs,” he said.
Team Leader Bruce Venable said, “Chris Larmoyeaux is a great hire for ABSC. He brings a plethora of ministry experience to the position. Chris thinks strategically and has a wide base of ABSC relationships that is greatly needed in our partnerships with churches. Our campus ministers, churches, and collegians will not only benefit from his experience, but from his caring personality.”
Communications Team
After two-and-a-half years with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC), Sarah Vaughn is moving back to Northwest Arkansas (NWA) to begin a career with J.B. Hunt.
Vaughn began her time at the convention as an intern in the summer of 2019 before being hired full-time as a content creator for the Communications Team in October of that year.
Being a journalism graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Vaughn is excited to once again be a patron of NWA. Though her goal has been to move back to her most beloved corner of the state, Vaughn will always look back fondly on her time at the ABSC.
“I love everyone here. I’m going to miss everyone here. It was a hard decision to make – to leave, but I’ve had peace about it. And that’s the most important thing,” Vaughn said. “I’m excited to see what’s in store for me, but I’m still excited to see what comes from not only this team but just the ministries here in general [and] across the state.”
Vaughn spent much of her time at the ABSC coordinating content and writing stories for the Arkansas Baptist News (ABN). Her work also included producing the bi-weekly eMagazine, which is distributed to subscribers every other Thursday as well as podcasts and the ABSC print newsletter and monthly electronic newsletter.
“Sarah is extraordinarily talented in the field of communications and journalism. I know her storytelling of how God is working in this state has been encouraging to Arkansas Baptists because it has been encouraging to me,” said Ethan Dial, the digital media manager for the ABSC. “She will be dearly missed on our team for both her amusing wit but also her hard-working, go-get-‘em spirit.”
Both Vaughn’s favorite part about working at the ABSC and what she will miss the most is the “family type atmosphere.”
“I’ve made a lot of friends here,” Vaughn said. “We don’t just work together, but we [also] have fun.”
“Prior to joining the staff of the ABSC, I was familiar with Sarah’s work in the communications area as a local pastor. Since I have had the opportunity to serve alongside Sarah, I have observed her heart to serve and share faith stories of Arkansas Baptists. She has been a strong asset to the Communications Team, as well as to others and will be missed.” said Craig Jenkins, Director of Convention Advancement and News for the ABSC.