“ONE MINUTE YOU THINK YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL, THEN GOD DOES SOMETHING TO REASSURE YOU THAT HE IS AT WORK AND YOU JUST GET TO JOIN HIM IN IT.”

Click here to download this resource!

When Charles and Dee Simmons planted Connect Church in Conway in April 2019, they had no idea that a year later they wouldn’t just adopt new methods but even a brand-new mission field. When Covid forced them to start meeting virtually in Conway in March 2020, a door opened for them to plant a second church in Little Rock. “Even in Conway we knew God wanted us to eventually have influence in Little Rock, but we originally thought in 3-5 years,” says Charles. “But when we got connected with First Baptist Church (FBC) in Little Rock in June 2020, and heard their vision for the neighborhoods around the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), we knew we had to be open to what God was doing.”

Having a partner church like FBC to help carry the load and walk through challenges has been a game changer. Together they have canvassed neighborhoods, provided service projects, and hosted Vacation Bible School. They have developed relationships with multiple families in the neighborhood with whom they have been able to share the love of Christ in tangible ways. This emphasis on outreach has provided great insight into other community needs that they can work to meet as they continue planting Connect Church in Little Rock.

PRAYER POINTS: Pray for the core team to be unified, and for leaders to keep in step with the Spirit. Pray for outreach efforts, such as possible after-school programs for kids and ministry to young men in the neighborhood.

When you give to your church, you give to missions through the Cooperative Program, bringing the Good News to the whole world. Find more CP resources at ABSC.org/CPShare.