ONE NAME, MULTIPLE MINISTRIES,
SERVING ARKANSAS
The Arkansas Dream Center serves 12 communities in central Arkansas through hunger relief, educational enrichment, mentoring opportunities and connections with the local church.
CityServe Arkansas serves the local church through donations from corporate partners to support outreach within their communities.
OUR MISSION
is to see Every Arkansan chase their God-given dreams
WE ACHIEVE THIS BY:
Every Arkansan represents the working mom, widowed grandparent, local business owner, pastor, athlete, caregiver, teacher, single parent.
When we love our neighbor, lives are healed, strengthened, empowered and restored.
Join us in transforming the lives of Every Arkansan and see them chase their God-given dreams.
HOW CAN YOU
IMPACT A LIFE?
Donate today and see Every Arkansan chase their God-given dreams
Join the team and have an eternal impact on the state of Arkansas
Volunteer and impact the lives of those in your community
BRING HOPE TO FAMILIES IN ARKANSAS!
Every Arkansan Stories
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Love thy neighbor: A practical guide to fulfilling God's mandate to love one another
As Christians, we have to drown out the extra distractions and focus on the commandment in Mark 12, to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we do this, we reflect the love of Jesus that each and every person desperately needs to experience while on earth.
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How to love thy neighbor: 5 steps to making impactful relationships
Loving others starts by building deep and meaningful relationships. When we can empathize with others, this is when we can truly love.
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Heart of a servant
When we serve, our hearts are postured outwardly so we can see and meet the needs of those around us. Serving is a selfless act. Serving humbles us. We have the opportunity to meet people in the middle of their heartbreak, joy, sorrow and pain.
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How to love your neighbor
Loving your neighbor looks like meeting people where they’re at, sitting with people in their pain, laying your life down for others with no expectation of it being reciprocated.
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Power of an encouraging word
To encourage means: “to inspire with courage, spirit or hope”. To do this right, a speaker produces powerful words. Words are not powerful merely because they produce an emotional reaction, the power lies within the intention of the speaker’s heart. Why is this crucial to understand?
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Diaper poverty in Arkansas
Imagine making a decision between keeping your baby clean, dry and healthy and putting food on the table. This is what diaper poverty looks like.
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2022 reflection
As we enter 2023, it is important that we look back on 2022 and reflect on all that has happened. Reflection reminds us that our work is not finished. There are still hungry families, gun violence, kids entering the foster care system and people in need of hope.
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How to chase your dream
When we are chasing the desires God has placed on our heart, this is when we step into His will for our lives. As the year ends, what does this look like for you? What has the Lord placed on your heart?
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A heart of giving
The holidays bring a time to give more than we have received as Jesus commands his followers to do in Acts 20:35. A giving heart is one that should be cultivated not only during the Christmas season, but all year long. What would it look like if we gave without constraints?
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How to serve your neighbor this holiday season
The holiday season is near. With this much anticipated season comes joy, time with loved ones, memories and peace as we are forced to reckon with the miraculous birth of Jesus. For others, though, this time of year comes with heartache, disappointment, grief and sadness.
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Five ways to make a difference in your community
Every Arkansan wants to equip and encourage others to serve and love their neighbors. The mission field is right where the Lord has you.
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Marius Mauthe, How to be filled with joy in a world full of trouble
We already know that we are or will face hard times in our lives. When we do, we have two different ways to respond: we can face them alone and be tossed around from one storm to another with temporary happiness, or we can consider it pure joy and face trials with God by our side.
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Por Amor A Ti
God has called us to love people, love your neighbor. It is as simple as that. We need to go back to this simple command. We need to break down barriers we’ve had for so many years to be the change. Centro Cristiano in Little Rock, Arkansas is doing just this.
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Tony Phillips, Your purpose is found in the most relational places
Purpose is started and driven by relationships. At the end of the day, every believer’s purpose is found in discipleship. It’s all about teaching, learning and doing.
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Partnering with teachers
Education is one of the most important careers in society. Without teachers, the next generation would not exist. Coming alongside teachers looks like ensuring they feel loved, seen and important during a time when teaching comes with extra baggage.
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Kindalh Hoover, Living with grace and compassion, daily
Patience comes directly from Jesus and a mindset that we must have compassion and grace, everyday, for others.
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Winning the battle of influence
The heartbeat of youth ministry is to see kids come to know and love Jesus. In a world where kids encounter death, it is a fight for faith.
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Ending hunger through a hot meal
With a heart for cooking and kids, Jordan Jones prepares two hot meals a day to ensure hungry kids are fed at the Dream Center.
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Jesus, water slides and community outreach
It all started with a mission trip to Atlanta.
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Caring for the vulnerable
The most vulnerable in Arkansas are overwhelmed and underserved. Meeting their needs starts by building relationships to plant Gospel seeds.
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Dream Center works to close the gap between poverty and education
With education and relationships, poverty can end as kids wholeheartedly chase their God-given dreams and pursue a future free from economic bondage.
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Reading changes everything
From her time teaching and writing curriculum for elementary students, Day brings her expertise and knowledge to the Dream Center as she oversees educational enrichment. Day knows the importance of reading proficiently and the role it plays in lifting kids out of poverty.
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Meeting the needs of the homeless
In early 2020, as the world entered the global pandemic, Center Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, saw a population who was left uncared for. In the middle of chaos, Center Ridge saw their neighbors who were in need. Gloved and masked up, the church loaded up their van with resources to help those living in homelesness.
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Cesar Ortega, Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
As Christians, National Hispanic Heritage Month means more than just a celebration of a culture. As sons and daughters of Christ, Christians can celebrate the manifold wisdom of God displayed in His eternal plan through the church.
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Drew Davis, Overcoming malnourishment through feeding
Tray’s blood test revealed he was suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition is an issue we think children in other countries encounter. However, many children in Arkansas suffer from a lack of nutritious foods as well. We can end malnourishment through feeding programs.
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Stu Scott, Healthcare and generational poverty
All the things surrounding you that also affect your healthcare are called social determinants of health. This is your economic stability, education, healthcare access, neighborhood that you live in and the social context of your family. When it comes to kids in Arkansas, social determinants of health are huge.
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Ramsey Vaughan, Advocating for foster kids and families
At the heart of foster care is reunifying families. The goal is to see the needs of the community and help families get their kids back. To meet this goal, a strong community of support must be built. For both foster kids and families, support is needed.
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Give back opportunities this holiday season
The holidays are almost here and this season comes with the opportunity to give back. For the 474,739 people living in poverty in Arkansas, this season also comes with extra burdens.
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Carson Miller, Learning to find peace in a world driven by anxiety and division
Finding peace in a world driven by division and anxiety is not easy but we have been given a path to find it through Jesus.
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Tori Martinez, Choosing hope
When we choose to have hope, we choose to believe in the good in the midst of negativity. We choose to believe in the strength that only Jesus can bring in the darkest seasons. We also choose to believe that there is newness that the Lord wants to bring into our lives.
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Family Christmas activities
Whether you are hosting your family for Christmas or looking for ways to help your kids burn energy, we have you covered with Christmas activities to do with your family.
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The transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation
As Christians, we strive to exemplify and reflect the heart of Christ in all that we do. Because we are followers of Him, this radically changes the way we talk, think and react. In all things, Christ calls us to love others. When we love others, we seek forgiveness and strive for reconciliation.
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The sweetest surprise: Ensuring kids have birthday cakes on their birthday
Imagine celebrating your birthday without a cake. For many kids at the Arkansas Dream Center, this is what their birthdays have looked like- no cake, no party. For families living in poverty, hosting a birthday party and buying a cake is often an extra expense in their budget.
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Mentorship: Breaking the cycle of generational poverty through relationships and accountability
When others come alongside those living in poverty, this is when barriers are lifted. Especially for youth populations, mentorship plays a crucial role in ensuring kids can step into successful lives. Mentorship holds others accountable, builds relationships and encourages others in their walk of life. Mentorship impacts years of generational poverty.
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The Impact of a Mattress: How a simple donation can change lives and bring hope in dark times
The impact of a mattress goes far beyond a good night's rest, mattresses change lives. In the middle of dark seasons and trials, a mattress brings hope. CityServe Arkansas has seen this impact in the lives of Arkansans across the state.
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Hosting a block party to show God's love and transform your neighborhood
If transformation is to happen in cities across America, as neighbors we have to become available. Being available means inviting people and creating a time for connection. To create this community in your neighborhood, a great event to host is a block party.
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Changing Lives: The Arkansas Dream Center takes kids on an unforgettable Spring Break trip to Dallas
The trip was filled with smiles, memories, new experiences and friendships. Every spring, the Arkansas Dream Center takes kids on a Spring Break trip. This annual trip allows kids who might not ever leave the state experience their world outside of Central Arkansas. The trip is an opportunity the kids don’t want to miss, anticipation and excitement builds around it.
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Arkansas Dream Center offers first youth employment opportunity
Over the years, the Dream Center has seen just how important it is for teens to have their first job. To create this experience, the Dream Center offered youth an employment opportunity. As youth hires, teens played a vital role throughout summer programming
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Unlocking the power of disciple-making: A biblical commandment for every believer to grow and evangelize
Disciple-making is a biblical commandment, Spirit-empowered duty of every disciple of Jesus to evangelize to unbelievers, baptize believers, teach them the Word of Christ and train them to obey Christ as members of His church.
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10 Summer activities in Central Arkansas
The days are getting longer, the school year is ending and the warm Arkansas air has returned. These changes signal the start of summer. With summer comes the best season to enjoy the Natural State. Invite your friends, get your family together and visit these summer activities in Central Arkansas.
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Discover the Importance of Spiritual Growth: Fostering habits to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus
Following Jesus is more than just a one-time profession of faith, it is a lifelong pursuit. Following Jesus is giving up all the world has to offer, selfish desires and a life of sin. It is instead saying “yes” to the heart of a loving Father, the king of kings and Lords of Lords, a God who will never leave or forsake His people.
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Transforming lives of homeless children in Arkansas: Donate a mattress and provide comfort, health and hope
To a bystander, homelessness is tangible. The lack of resources is noticeable. For the 13,907 kids that are homeless in Arkansas, 90% are doubled-up. This means students are living with others rather than in a home with their family. This makes it difficult to identify students in need of extra support so they can be lifted out of their situation.
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Shaneka's Story
For Shaneka Carrotheis, mother of two from Little Rock, her day begins like most mom’s. She wakes her kids up and gets them to school. For Carrotheis though, she doesn’t see her kids in the afternoons when they get home. Working evenings, most nights she comes home exhausted and ready for bed. She stresses about feeding her kids and helping them get their homework done. For single mothers, this is their reality.
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Caleb's Story
For Caleb Shreve, CityServe Arkansas has played an important role in reaching sobriety. In 2020, Shreve entered an addiction recovery program. Since then, he has been on the journey of recovery.
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Supporting Bivocational Pastors in Arkansas
Pastor Eduardo Abril from De Queen, Arkansas shepherds a church of 100 people at El Centro Cristiano De Queen. Not only is Abril a full-time pastor, he is also a full-time bank officer. For 20 years, he has been balancing his family, church and career as a banker. His story is similar to the over one-million pastors across the United States. This statistic speaks to the need to support and encourage pastors.
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Discovering your calling: Resting in God's Will and embracing His commands
It is easy to get caught up in God’s will for our lives. We are left wondering and waiting. We ask questions about the future and fear God will not provide. In the middle of deciding the best next steps, there are callings each believer has on their lives. While it is easy to get caught up in God’s specific will for your life, believers can rest in the fact that God has already given each of us a calling.
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Pastor Eduardo Abril's Story
A full-time pastor, a full-time bank officer, Lions Club member, planning commissioner, board member for local development center and most importantly a father, Pastor Eduardo Abril from De Queen, Arkansas truly does it all. He knows firsthand what it takes to balance family and work.
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Ending the hunger crisis in Arkansas: How Every Arkansan is providing meals for hungry kids and families
For families across the United States, food insecurity is a crisis. With growing inflation, buying food is more expensive, even with government assistance. This crisis impacts 467,550 people in Arkansas. Of those people, 134,690 are children. When parents have proper access to food, this is when they are able to truly provide for their children.
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Finding peace and guidance: Psalms 23 - A journey through mountain tops and dark valleys
Psalms 23 is a praise of worship for the mountain top moments and seasons in dark valleys. It is a reminder that God leads, protects and guides His people. His presence brings peace and His plans for His people are good. Every Arkansan staff shared their reflections on these six verses and the promises of God that are in each. Their reflections speak into the character of God and the path He has set out for those who love Him.
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Empowering pastors: CityServe Arkansas fills the cup of selfless shepherds
Pastors care for the needs of their flock. As shepherds of God’s people, pastors are there to teach, direct, lead and pray for their church. As they pour out themselves for the sake of making Jesus’ name known, they are often left without their cup being filled. CityServe Arkansas sees this need and understands the importance of caring for pastors. With a network of 386 churches across Arkansas, CityServe wants to come alongside and encourage pastors as they selflessly lead their churches.