From Jerusalem to Archview: A Faith Heritage in Little Rock
Greater Archview Baptist Church sits on the west side of Little Rock at 1720 West 23rd Street, but its roots reach all the way back to 1881, when fifteen followers of Christ, under the leadership of Reverend Frank White, founded Jerusalem Baptist Church at Eighth and Broadway Streets. That small gathering of believers - among them Bro. John L. Battles, Bro. Sherman Wells, Bro. Elijah Anderson, Bro. Tom Philips, and Bro. Isaiah Anderson, who served as organizing deacons with the help of Reverend Verge Bennett - marked the start of what would become one of Little Rock's enduring Baptist congregations.
The church moved in 1889 to 11th and Park Streets, where it met in a frame building for three years. In 1892 the congregation relocated to a newly built church at Wright Avenue and High Streets. Five years later, that building burned. The members regrouped in 1897, moving into an old store at 17th and Izard Streets, and in 1902 they settled at 11th and Arch Streets, where the church's first parsonage was built. It was at this location that the name was changed to Arch Street Baptist Church. Shortly after the new frame building went up, Rev. White resigned and moved to Oklahoma for health reasons.
A succession of pastors followed: Reverend George Cafey, Rev. Norphlete, Rev. McDade, and Rev. Sim Ladelle, under whose leadership the church was paid out of debt for the first time. The frame building was eventually replaced with a new stone structure erected in 1927 under the direction of Rev. T.M. Chambers, Sr. In 1947 the church was renamed The Greater Arch Street Baptist Church and Rev. T.M. Chambers, Jr. was called to the pastorate. Dr. Marine Webb Williams succeeded him in 1954 and led the congregation through a period of great numerical growth.
In 1967 the congregation became Greater Archview Baptist Church and relocated to its current home at 1720 West 23rd Street. A mortgage-burning ceremony in 1973 marked the successful purchase of the property. Dr. Williams retired in 1997 after forty-five years of service, and in 1998 the church called Rev. James W. Reynolds, Sr. as pastor; he served until 2004. Dr. G.E. McElroy was elected Senior Pastor on June 12, 2005, and served until 2012. In April 2014 the church called Kenneth R. Martin as Senior Pastor. Pastor Martin established the church's motto, "Experiencing The Transformation Of God," drawn from Romans 12:2, and he gives special emphasis to developing each person's personal relationship with God.
Worship on Sundays at 23rd Street
The rhythm of the week at Greater Archview centers on Sunday morning. Sunday School meets every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. Services are held in English. The worship is led by Minister of Music Carolyn Foreman, Worship Leader Anita Hampton, and Organist Brian Hamby, working together to create an environment conducive to worship and to usher the people of God into the presence of God. The music ministry describes itself as evangelistic in tone - the word of God is the substance of what they do, and music is the primary tool used to carry out that mission, reaching beyond the church's four walls into places where there is a need for the Gospel.
Visitors who cannot attend in person can watch services on the church's Facebook page, where livestreams are shared under the "WATCH LIVE" banner. Past services are also archived on the church's YouTube channel.
Midweek Bible Study and Seniors Ministry
On Wednesdays the church gathers twice. The Seniors Ministry meets at 10:00 a.m., and Bible Study meets at 6:00 p.m. The Bible Study is at the heart of Greater Archview's teaching life, and the church has built a deep well of downloadable study material that members and visitors can use on their own. Series available include "Saved to Serve," "Faith Over Fear," "How to Study the Bible," "Living My Best Life," a walk through 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and a series on faith drawn from the lives of Old Testament figures - covering lessons titled "Taking the Step of Faith," "When Your Faith Goes South," "Choices That Change Your Life," "Facing the Test of Success," "Overcoming Fear by Faith," "The Covenant of Faith," "Double-Minded Faith," "Stretching Your Faith," "Faith That Works," "The Argument of Faith," "The Destruction of Lot," "Revisiting an Old Sin," "Isaac and Ishmael," "Faithfulness of God," and "A Defining Moment." Stand-alone doctrinal lessons on Salvation and Repentance round out the library.
Doctrinal Foundations
Greater Archview's doctrinal beliefs are derived from the Holy Scriptures, and membership is open to all who profess faith alone in Jesus Christ and are in agreement with them. The church teaches that the Holy Scriptures are the verbal, inspired words of God, authoritative and without error in the original manuscripts, and that both Old and New Testaments are designed for practical instruction in faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).
The church affirms that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and that these three are one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). It teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world, rose from the dead in a glorified body, ascended to the Father, and now serves as head over all things to the church, continually interceding for the saved (Hebrews 1:3; Ephesians 1:23).
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is understood to dwell in every believer immediately upon faith in Christ and to provide power for the Christian life, along with a spiritual gift for service within the body of Christ (Romans 8:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:7). Salvation is by grace through faith, an unmerited gift, not the result of human works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The church holds to a future rapture of believers before a period of great tribulation, followed by the second coming of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
Greater Archview teaches that at death, the spirits of those who have trusted in Christ pass immediately into His presence in conscious bliss, and that ultimately soul and body will be reunited in glory. All believers, it teaches, will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience in this life (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17).
A Network of Ministries
Greater Archview describes its ministry network as a dedicated group that exists to meet the spiritual, physical, and financial needs of sisters and brothers in the church and the community, nationally and internationally. The mission is to touch lives by sharing the Gospel through Bible study, prayer, stewardship, community involvement, fellowship, and action.
The Youth Ministry provides leadership and spiritual guidance to young people, fostering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and growth in Christian character, church service, and evangelism. It includes a Youth Choir and a Youth Praise Dance ministry. The Mission Ministry seeks to meet the needs of people in the church and the local community by supplying evangelism training and establishing Christian outreach. The Media Ministry exists to document and communicate the vision of the pastor and the experience of the church through personal, electronic, and print communications, supporting every church event with audio, video, and recording.
The Music Ministry is led by Minister of Music Carolyn Foreman, Worship Leader Anita Hampton, and Organist Brian Hamby. The Choir and Praise Team serve alongside them. The Greeters, Ushers, and Hospitality ministries welcome and care for those who come through the doors. The Health Ministry looks after the physical wellbeing of the congregation, the Finance Ministry oversees stewardship, and the Trustee Ministry cares for the property and resources of the church.
Connect groups include a Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, Senior Ministry, Mission Ministry, and the church's Evangelism efforts - all designed to help members grow toward Christ's likeness and make Christ known.
Leadership
Senior Pastor Kenneth R. Martin leads the church. He is married to Laura Martin, and they have two sons, Matthew and Seth. A graduate of Drake University, his passion for ministry and life is rooted in Joshua 24:15: "But for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
Will Bennett serves as Membership Pastor, and Marcus McDonald serves as Discipleship Pastor. The Deacons of Greater Archview are Hubert "Geese" Ausbie, Madison Davis, Raymond Frazier, James Burton, Frederick Pride III, Lynn Farmer, Alex Bogard, and Henry Jones III.
Giving, Care, and Life Events
The church teaches that giving is as essential to worship as singing, praying, and preaching - an act of obedience that opens the believer up to receive God's blessings. Gifts to Greater Archview support daily operations, meeting the physical and spiritual needs of members and the community, providing for those in need, discipleship, and the "Through in Twenty Two" capital campaign. Giving is available online through Givelify.
A Care and Support ministry gathers prayer requests, hospital visitation requests, funeral requests, and wedding requests. Couples planning to marry at the church are invited to complete a wedding registration form and email it to gabc1720@gmail.com; guidelines are also available for download.
Joining the Story
Greater Archview's history is still unfolding. The congregation that began with fifteen members in 1881 continues to gather at 1720 West 23rd Street, sharing the motto "Experiencing the Transformation of God" and the conviction that every believer can grow toward Christ's likeness. Whether joining for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m., a Wednesday Bible study at 6:00 p.m., or one of the many midweek ministries, visitors find a congregation that has been shaped by more than a century and a half of faith in Little Rock.