Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Plan now to serve in Arkansas

Modest dwellings are seen throughout Lakeshore Estates, a mobile-home community between West Memphis and Marion, Ark. It is about a 10-minute drive west of downtown Memphis, Tenn. New Hope Baptist Mission has planted itself in this community where a family’s average annual income is $13,000. (Photo by Eva Wilson)

Arkansas is known for its scenic beauty. However, the state has vast mission needs.

Southern Baptists from Arkansas are enthusiastically supporting their partnership with KNCSB. Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptists are urged to return the favor by serving in Arkansas or supporting projects there.

In addition, the Arkansas Baptist Builders are continuing to rebuild homes in New Orleans. Work will resume in mid-February.

Some mission projects in Arkansas are connected to the Mississippi River Ministry. MRM is a partnership of the area’s eight state conventions. The Arkansas Baptist State Convention’s Web site describes the needs there:

“The 142-county region of Mississippi River Ministry has been referred to as the ‘third world along the Mississippi.’ The people in the region suffer from inadequate health care. The area has the highest infant mortality rate in the United States and lowest ratio of doctors and nurses per 1,000 population. Low family income reduces the availability of health care. In some counties, newborns stand less chance of survival than in Chile, Cuba, or Malaysia.

“The people in the region suffer from poor housing and homelessness. Many live in substandard or deteriorated housing. Generation after generation is trying to live without the basic human needs.

“The people in the region suffer from lack of education. Only slightly more than 50 percent of the people 25 years of age and older have a high school diploma. There is a high rate of illiteracy.”

• Find a list of mission projects in Arkansas


• Learn about Arkansas rebuilding efforts in New Orleans