Presbytery Gathers in Conway for 162nd Stated Meeting

The Presbytery of Arkansas gathered June 13 at First Presbyterian Church of Conway for its 162nd Stated Meeting, a day marked by worship, innovation, celebration, and preparation for the future.

The meeting opened with worship led by Rev. John Arnold, who preached a sermon titled “Believing Too Little, Too Much,” based on Matthew 9. Arnold challenged the Presbytery to believe that God is still at work through ordinary disciples in a world that remains “harassed and helpless.” Drawing on Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples, he encouraged presbyters to trust that God can accomplish far more through the church than we often imagine.

Synod of the Sun Leader/Stated Clerk Rev. Mitch Miller offered words of greeting and encouragement for the ministry and witness of congregations across Arkansas. The Presbytery also received an informative presentation from Board of Pensions Church Consultant Kevin Keaton, who highlighted several new and expanded benefits available to congregational leaders. These included additional dues subsidies to help offset the cost of dependent child medical coverage for pastors enrolled in the Congregational Pastors Package, the extension of Transitional Pastor Participation subsidies through 2029, and the introduction of a new Child Care Support Grant. Read more.

What is YouthQuake?

It's a weekend for youth (grades 6-12) that is full of games, worship, camp activities, discussions about faith, songs, and small group time—all at our beloved Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center! 

Youthquake kicks off at 7pm on Friday, September 18th (make sure to eat dinner before you arrive!) and ends after breakfast and worship at 10am on Sunday, September 20th. The weekend will be filled with fellowship, faith, and fun as youth engage in small groups with people their age, large group worships and keynotes, and recreational activities, such as energizers and Silent Disco!

Registration is now open! Register using the button below.

Mission Initiative Grants - The deadline for this year's next round of the MOC grants is July15. Dream big about the mission work your church/Presbyterian organization might undertake this year and let the MOC help you realize your dream by awarding you a grant of up to $1,500.

Click below for information about registering. Direct questions to committee moderator, Peg Falls-Corbitt and click below to learn more and apply for the grant by the July 15 deadline!

Faith Formation Resource Grants - The first of two 2026 grants are now available from your Presbytery Resource Team! The purpose of these grants are to provide seed money to support Presbytery of Arkansas congregations and ministries in creatively engaging their faith community in practices of faith formation, Christian education, spiritual growth, and discipleship. These grants of up to $500 are to help you create a new Faith Formational program in your church or community that you otherwise would not have been able to afford to do. Look at the needs around you. Is there a need for a Grief-care or Divorce-care program in your community? Maybe you feel your church would rally around a new men's, women's, or intergenerational program or event. Maybe your church doesn't have children, but it has the man-power to sponsor a community VBS.



Pray, dream, then click below and for a Faith Formation Resource Grant by the  September 30th deadline!

Synod Youth Workshop July 13-18

For over 67 years, Synod Youth Worship has provided a place, a space, and time for God’s work of creating new life-time relationships. Participants in Synod Youth Workshop will experience God’s presence through opportunities for worship, prayer, scripture exploration, and community service in small and large group gatherings.



Small groups provide a ‘safe place’ to explore faith questions, while sharing fun and laughter beyond measure. Many participants throughout the years have described the conference as a life-changing event. We hope you will consider attending Synod Youth Workshop in 2026. 

From the Office of Christian Formation: Updated Resource Page 

Have you been looking for resources from the Office of Christian Formation? Click the button below to see the newly updated resource page listed by topic.