Family Council’s Charisse Dean discusses some of Arkansas’ first African-American officials elected to office and the ways in which Family Council is continuing to help Arkansans serve their state.
Pastors Day at the State Capitol
April 27, 2016
Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda
8:30 a.m.-Noon
An exciting, free, nonpartisan event for pastors, their spouses, and all other church leaders!
Light breakfast, and lunch provided!
Imagine the echo of Amazing Grace—the prayers of godly men and women—the Gospel openly proclaimed in Arkansas’ most prominent place—the State Capitol Building!
You can be salt and light by joining hundreds of pastors from all over Arkansas in the State Capitol Rotunda from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 27th for PASTORS DAY AT THE CAPITOL. This nonpartisan event will focus on worshiping God, praying for our leaders, ministering to those in authority, fostering better relationships between you and your legislators, practicing responsible citizenship, and learning how your congregation can do the same. Be encouraged, empowered, inspired, and informed.
8:30 Meet and greet fellowship over a light breakfast with special guest Governor Asa Hutchinson.
9:00 Join with hundreds of pastors and elected officials for a prayer and praise service right in the rotunda of the State Capitol. What better place for a worship service!
9:45 Assemble on the front steps of the Capitol for a huge group photo of all the pastors and church leaders along with our elected officials.
10:00 Choose a breakout session. Visit a legislative committee hearing, tour the capitol, learn how a bill becomes law, go on a prayer walk around the Capitol, or go with experienced leaders to stop by various state offices to pray for whomever God directs. If you’re more “free-spirited,” you can launch out on your own and let God guide you in being a witness in the most important place in Arkansas—the State Capitol.
11:30 Lunch will be provided. This will be a great opportunity for you to visit with your state representative and state senator in the Capitol Rotunda. Tours and a few activities may last until 2 p.m., but feel free to leave after lunch if you need to get back to your church for Wednesday services or other obligations.
Our State Capitol needs a godly influence. Pastors, their spouses, and other church leaders can bring this life-giving influence! You can be a part of this historic event. Please join God’s people at the Arkansas State Capitol on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. To register for this FREE event, click here or call 501-375-7000.
We will register you and your group if you email us the name, address, and phone number of every member of your group. Contact: Charisse@FamilyCouncil.org Pastors, spouses, and other church leaders are welcome!
Yesterday Governor Asa Hutchinson joined many U.S. governors in opposing efforts to relocate Syrian refugees to the United States. Governor Hutchinson’s statement read,
“As governor, I oppose any facility or installation in Arkansas being used as a Syrian refugee center. Many of the Syrian refugees are fleeing violence in their own country but Europe, Asia or Africa are logically the best places for resettlement or for temporary asylum. Syria is a war torn country and the United States will support our European friends in fighting ISIL in Syria and elsewhere; however, this is not the right strategy for the United States to become a permanent place of relocation. Again, I will oppose Arkansas being used as such a relocation center.
“The hardships facing these refugees and their families are beyond most of our understanding, and my thoughts and prayers are with them, but I will not support a policy that is not the best solution and that poses risk to Arkansans.”
Altogether some twenty-seven states have made it clear they do not want Syrian refugees admitted; most of these states are located in the southern or midwestern U.S., and a few national pundits have speculated these governors’ decisions are somehow racially motivated.
There is another explanation, however: When the U.S. government takes in refugees, it has a habit of sending them to live in the South or Midwest, and Arkansas is no exception.
