Serving Arkansas Baptists since 1901

Arkansas can claim the distinction of having had more separate Baptist newspapers by the same name than possibly any other state convention.

The earliest Arkansas Baptist, established in 1858, was suspended with the outbreak of the Civil War. The second newspaper by this name was started in 1868 and continued for only 10 weeks.

In 1879, another Arkansas Baptist was started. But it changed its name soon afterward to Arkansas Baptist Banner. The date of its demise is not known.

Another Arkansas Baptist came into being in 1887, with the change of the name to The Evangel.

The present Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine (Arkansas Baptist News) began in 1901, after the Arkansas Baptist State Convention renounced the Arkansas Baptist of 1887 as its organ. It was first named The Baptist Advance, the name being changed to Arkansas Baptist in 1933. The addition of Newsmagazine to the title came in January 1960, to give description to the nature of the publication and to distinguish its mail from that of Arkansas Baptist Hospital, which is often addressed as “Arkansas Baptist.”

- Adapted from the book, “Across the Editor’s Desk: The story of the state Baptist papers,” by Erwin L. McDonald, editor of the Arkansas Baptist News from 1957 to 1972.