Searcy Living - Your Hometown Magazine

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

by Yolanda Hamilton

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Bald Knob, Arkansas, where the Rev. Larry Johnson is Pastor, is a church dedicated to ministering to those of all walks of life. Located in a area where literacy has hit a all time low, and drugs and teen pregnancy has hit a all time high, this ministry decided to expand its horizon and take on a awesome challenge.

God has called the Body of Christ to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and teach the masses. By the enablement of the Holy Spirit , in doing this, we are fulfilling Gods great commission. As Pleasant Grove reaches out to meet people where they are we see O.U.T.R.E.A.C.H to be out-of-the-box thinking; Understanding the areas of need; Teaching life skills from biblical principles; Realizing that kids are people too; Education in all areas (physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and social); Assesment of values and belief; Coaching, mentoring, and leading by example; and Helping others progress.

Larry and Patricia Johnson have pastored at Pleasant Grove for over 18 years and is one of the cities leading examples of what ministry should be. Presently, Pleasant Grove has several ministries already in place. Each program has been created to meet the specific needs of the people of BaldKnob , and other surrounding areas.

To name a few, some of pleasant Grove's current programs include The Media Ministry, director Larry Johnson, is a ministry responsible for the filming, editing, and the producing of all the programs aired weekly on KYPX TV.

The M.O.M.S Ministry (Missions Of Mothers and matrons Society) director Willie White. The Bible states that pure religion is "to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (James 1:26) in fulfilling this command, the Mothers and Matrons of this ministry offer, through ìmoms kitchenî a free meal quarterly, on a Saturday from 12 noon til 3pm. You may dine in or your meal may be delivered. The Moms and Matrons Society also offers annually a Mother and Daughter Banquette, Scholarships to High School graduates, a Wedded Symposium, and a Family and Friends Fellowship Day. S.A.C.K. (Summer Activities Club for Kids) director Ashley Cross, this ministry is dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support for children of all ages. This is a 6-8 week summer activity program averaging over 55 children a day. The program is offered to the public Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and Fridays from 12 noon to 2pm with a suggested donation of $10.00 a week per child. Each child is fed twice a day (breakfast and lunch) and a snack as well. This program is offered to strengthen academic and social skills offering various activities throughout the summer. Pleasant Grove has also partnered with the Bald Knob, Ar School District in offering a unconventional after school tutoring program.

The program, M.A.D.D.E.R(Music,Arts,Drama,Dance,Education, and Recreation) is also free and open to the public. It is offered Monday thru Wednesday from 3:30pm to 5 pm on the campus of Bald Knob Public School. The children begin each session with snack and study followed by M.A.D.D.E.R. (the children are introduced to a different component each day.

The Transportation Ministry , director Minister Sabrina Jackson, is responsible for bringing in over 75 children and adults for weekly Sunday and Wednesday worship services. These Are They, director Minister Yalonda Hamilton,This ministry goes into prisons and jails in the Arkansas area and ministers the life changing word of God . Our ultimate goal is to reduce the recidivism rate of offenders and aid in the restoration of their lives by offering biblical principles and teaching practical life skills for re-entering society. While being committed to helping men and women rebuild their lives on the foundation of Gods word, our primary focus is for prisoners to be born again and grow as fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ which begins on the inside and leads to a successful transition back into society as a faithful child of God. For These Are They, after having the word fall on good ground, they heard the word, and received it, and brought forth fruit (Mark 4:20). I.M.P.A.C.T (Inspiring Mankind Plus Accomplishing Career Training) director, Ray Hardin , is our drug and alcohol ministry where other long-term recovered addicts minister the life changing word of God by precept and example, and by adopting the use of the Celebrate Recovery Curriculum. If you have a interest in any of the above ministries and would like to take part in bringing about a change in anothers life feel free to contact a ministry director at (501) 724-6139.

Last but not least, another out reach ministry that is going to higher heights and deeper depths in the Lord is W.O.E. (Women Of Excellence), director,and Co-Pastor, Patricia Johnson. This is a ministry that encourages women of all walks of life and is there for women growing in faith, as well as hurting women trying to over come fear in whatever area you may be experiencing fear. So that each women might stay encouraged in the word, the womens ministry is planning a womens biblestudy group, quarterly news letters and a Girlfriends Day Out events each quarter as well.