Arkansas Baptists descend on New Orleans

Manley Beasley, (right) pastor of Hot Springs Baptist Church, with wife, Shirleen; along with church member, Graig Cowart (center) and friend Rusty Hunter.NEW ORLEANS – A small, but enthusiastic group of Arkansas Baptists are in New Orleans for the Southern Baptist Convention meeting.

HallmarkSeveral Arkansas Baptists commented that it is always good to learn about the work Southern Baptists are doing outside of the Natural State – in addition to the work of SBC agencies, institutions and missionaries.

"We love New Orleans. I think it's great that we're about to elect our first black president to the Southern Baptist Convention," said Manley Beasley, pastor of Hot Springs Baptist Church.

"It's always a joy to gather with the Baptist family every year. This is the first time my daughter (Hannah) has been a messenger,” said Wyman Richardson, Pastor of Central Baptist Church, North Little Rock.

"To me, it's encouraging to be able to hear what God is doing all around the convention. I have not missed a convention since 1986," said Clay Hallmark, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Marion.

Brooks"We always come to the convention. We like seeing all our friends and making new friends," said Ray Dean Davis, associational missionary for the Tri County Baptist Association.

"We enjoyed the pastor's conference because it's a good break for the pastor. There have been 14 sermons and my husband has heard every one of them," added Rhonda Brooks, a pastor’s wife who resides in Monticello. 

Wyman Richardson with wife, Roni, (right) and daughter, Hannah. Richardson is pastor of Central Baptist Church, North Little Rock.Jerry Miller, associational missionary for Caroline Baptist Association (left), and Frank Thurman, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Benton.Ray Dean Davis with wife, Sheila. Davis is associational missionary for the Tri County Baptist Association.Arkansas Baptist News photos by Lisa Falknor