ARKANSAS CONFERENCE 2008 JOURNAL
calendars which were distributed via email and at various meetings. These prayer calendars provided a way for
persons to reflect on the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Congo. At “Vital Signs” the group conducted
a break-out session so that others could learn about the Congo Strategic Vision Initiative.
In July, a 4-person team, led by Bishop Crutchfield visited the North Katanga Provence to take a first-hand
look at the impact of our Conference dollars. During the visit the team saw the extent of the poverty of the people,
the lack of resources, and the infra-structure needs of the area. Communities devastated by war lacked even the
most basic water systems. The team saw extremely gifted students in sub-standard learning facilities.
The Bobby Jackson Wesley Foundation, a project of Arkansas Tech Wesley Foundation was one the
highlights of the tour. This facility has been built on the campus of one of the small universities and serves as
a spiritual place of worship in the area. One of the most innovative places the team visited was an eco-friendly
farming community. On the farm, owned by the North Katanga Conference, and managed by a graduate of
Africa University, a water system was created, each aspect of the farm was recycled into usable food or materials,
and persons were trained on methods of crop production which are comparable to those used in the United States.
In 2007, with the help of congregations across the state we have been successful in providing $61,000 in
assistance to projects in the North Katanga Annual Conference and $15,000 in scholarship funding to the
Philander Smith College students. We owe a great dept to the Central District, Superintendent Phil Hathcock,
which raised more than $30,000 as a district project. Mr. and Mrs. Denver Thornton as individual donors have
given more than $20,000 to the Children’s Home, to build a church, water well, and parsonage. When laity get
“on fire” for mission they can not be stopped.
By the time this Journal is published a six-person group from the North Katanga Conference will have
intenerated through Arkansas at the close of the quadrennial General Conference. We know that many of you
would have had an opportunity to personally interact with these persons. May our bonds grow tighter as we work
in ministry with our sisters and brothers from Africa. To God be the glory,
Michelle Bailey Keahey, chair
Brenda Norwood, Denver Thorntonr, and Jon Mac Taylor, members; Maxine Allen, staff
†††
CONNECTED IN CHRIST
“A New Grant Helps Renew Connections”
Over the last several years Connected In Christ has developed into a ministry that is having great impact.
In recognition of this work, the Lilly Endowment has awarded an additional $1 million grant to the Conference
for the continuation of CIC. This is a second grant from Lilly, who also awarded a $2 million grant in 2003.
This new grant will be used to continue our mission which is “to facilitate the connections needed for faithful
and fruitful ministry.” Through CIC, we will continue to connect pastors to pastors in covenant community,
connect clergy and laity together as partners in ministry, connect leadership teams to a coach, and most
importantly, connect us all in a fresh way to the one who said, “I am the vine and you are the branches.”
Through the grant application, we were able to share the impact of Connected In Christ upon our pastors
and congregations. Pastors continue to report that they feel less isolated, more supported, and better equipped
for ministry because of there involved in CIC. Evidence also shows that congregations involved are more focus,
more likely to start new ministries, and have more professions of faith. For example, 93% of CIC congregations
reported more professions of faith last year, and these congregations accounted for 59% of all professions of faith
received as a Conference. 57% of congregations involved in CIC are larger in terms of worship attendance than
they were before this process. Others report growth in terms of commitment and missional focus. This is
especially true of congregations that have taken advantage of the Team Training and Coaching offered through
CIC.
This additional grant will also enable us to expand our ministry. We will develop CIC Phase II for the 180
pastors who have completed the initial two-year process. We will develop CIC for Emerging Smaller
Congregations, a new tract which we started at the beginning of 2008 with 16 congregations. We will expand
our coaching ministry to include personal coaches for our pastors. While adding these layers we will continue
to start new groups of our core process. We will start group 12 in the Fall of 2008 (each group has between 16-
20 participating pastors and their congregations).
One of the requirements of the grant application process was the development of a clear plan for
sustainability. Our sustainability plan is four-fold, involving increased apportionment support, support through
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