JULY/AUGUST 2014 • VOL. 1, NO. 4

JULY/AUGUST 2014 • VOL 1, No. 4
A BI-MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF
SAINT MARK BAPTIST CHURCH
It’s a New Season
in Youth Ministry
• New Name
• New Logo
• New Year
New
Member
Number
Rises in
June/July
Health Fair Serves
Record Crowd
Mission Teams Help
Grow Faith of Haitians

JULY/AUGUST 2014
INSIDE
4
Youth Ministry
Brand New for Fall
8
Get in the Grow Sundays
Packed with Power
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
• From the Pastor’s Desk 3
• Faith in Action 6
• Life Connections 10
• Growth Opportunities 12
• Let’s Celebrate 14
• Welcome New Members 15
Growth Connections
is a bi-monthly news magazine of the Saint Mark Baptist Church,
Little Rock, AR.
This publication is produced through the Media & Marketing
Division of our church. Our eNews team consists of volunteer
writers and photographers who capture information for the various
articles.
eNews Team: Saundra Bracy, Natasha Brown, Brandi Doan, Terrie
Ellington, Jerry Hall, Tammy Harrell, Jennice Haynes, Zeornee’
Herts, Teddi Johnson, Wanda McGee, Keya Pointer, Roline Thomas,
Bill Wilkins.
Advertising rates and sizes are available upon request.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Zeornee’ Herts,
zlherts@smark.org, or at 663-3955 ext. 230.
5722

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Saint Mark Family and Friends,
This edition of Growth Connections is designed to highlight the great things that are happening at
Saint Mark in our Youth Ministry. Pastor Justin Bilson and his team are working tirelessly to help
parents raise godly kids who are responsible citizens in the world. As a parent, I am grateful for their
hard work and dedication to our youth. The impact they are making is immeasurable and will last
throughout our children’s lifetimes.
As an already dynamic and exciting ministry, the Saint Mark Youth Ministry will become even more
effective when we build our Youth Center. The children in our church and community will be served in
an even more powerful fashion because of this 37,000 square foot facility. The center will be a place
of education, discipleship, and fun. I genuinely believe that lives will be changed and destinies will be
reached because of this building. It is a marvelous tool of Christian witness.
We need your help to get it done. We are less than $400,000 away from where we need to be to break
ground! If you have pledged a monthly amount to the Dream Big Campaign, please continue to fulfill
that promise you’ve made to our kids. If you have not made a monthly pledge, begin one now. You can
give to the campaign on Sundays or Wednesdays during our regular offering times and at any time you
choose through our website and the church app.
Let’s make this happen! Imagine the possibilities!
With all Christian sincerity,
Phillip L. Pointer, Sr.
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 3

y Brandi Doan
It’s a new season of growth as students return to
the classroom, and as the youth ministry ramps
back up here at Saint Mark. I am excited to share
a few of the updates, changes and improvements
you’ll experience on campus beginning this
month.
We are excited to introduce a new identity,
expressed in our new name, new vision and new
logo!
In June, Pastor Justin Bilson unveiled the new
name and logo to youth volunteers. We are
now the Saint Mark Youth Ministry. Our vision is
simple... We want to create a place where youth
can Grow, Serve and Lead. We want to build their
faith by teaching the word of God; challenge them
to share their faith with others; give opportunities
to serve their local church and community; teach
them to lead through their lives. Our primary
4

focus is to help this generation develop a real
relationship with Jesus Christ and value the
importance of faith in Him.
Just as our youth ministry has evolved, the new
logo reflects the contemporary personality that our
ministry has taken on. With vibrant colors and a
hip text treatment, this logo mimics stylish brands
that youth are proud to wear on shirts, hoodies
and more! Prominence is given to youth, with the
“y” in the initials lifting off the page. This new logo
appeals to youth of all ages, from kindergarten to
high school.
For our 5th through 12 grade students, we will
implement the XP3 Student Curriculum as our
new teaching guide for Sunday mornings and
Wednesday evening bible study. This curriculum
focuses on using the influence of the church and
the family to make a collective impact on the life
and the faith of our youth.The curriculum will
also provide parents with resources that include
information on weekly sermons and Bible study
discussion notes.
It is vitally important that we disciple the youth
of our church and our community in a creative
and engaging way! To do this, Saint Mark Youth
Ministry will implement the Awana curriculum this
Fall for Pre-K through 4th on Wednesday evenings.
Awana is a global, nonprofit ministry committed to
the belief that the greatest impact for Christ starts
with kids who know, love and serve Him.
Compiled by W. Seth Martin

FAITH IN ACTION
Back to School Health Fair
Serves Record Crowd
The 2014 Back to School Health Fair was a great
success. With more than 300 volunteers on hand
we were able to serve 771 youth this year. Free
services included medical screenings,
sports physicals, and immunizations.
Those who completed the process
received free backpacks stuffed with
school supplies. The total savings by
parents in back to school costs totaled
more than $370,000.
Thank you to those who partnered with
us to make this event a huge success
– Arvest Bank, Goddess Products,
Walgreens (12th Street Location),
12th Street Health and Wellness
Clinic (UAMS), McDonald’s (Palacios
Enterprises, Inc.), McDonald’s (TLM
Group), Oak Forrest Cleaners, State
Farm (Andre’ Pendleton, Agent) and
Chick-Fil-A.
6 • GROWTH CONNECTIONS

2014 Missions Trips to Haiti: Growing Their Faith
by Wanda McGee
Haiti 2014 was a season of hot weather with only one rain shower
each week. The mosquito population carried disease thru the town
and many were sick. The land was dry but the spirit of the Lord was
full of His glory. The 2014 mission trips strengthened the faith of the
Haitians in Pignon.
A total of 17 women, men, boys and girls comprised two mission
teams from Saint Mark who shared God’s word with a Women’s
conference and a Youth conference for the residents of Pignon, Haiti
this summer.
Four of the seven women’s team members traveled to Haiti for
the first time. The team taught about various women characters
of the Bible and the Haitian women enjoyed the teaching. The key
response from the team members was the friendliness and the love
the women showed the team. Most impressive was the way they
worship God. Their love for God’s Word is so genuine.
The youth theme was “Being a Light to the World.”
158 Haitian children attended the camp. There were
five members of the youth team traveling to Haiti for
the first time. The Word was taught. The kids knew the
Bible stories of the characters we shared with them,
sharing their new knowledge when asked follow-up
questions.
We also had a field day where we played
Hopscotch, Red Rover, and several other interactive
games. We even made rubberband bracelets. We
ended the night watching the French version of
the movie Despicable Me. Our own Youth Pastor
Justin Bilson shared the message during the
Sunday Service at which 20 youth accepted Christ.
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 7

“Get in the Grow” Packed with Power
By Keya Pointer
Fifth Sunday at Saint Mark is synonymous with
Get in the Grow! Get in the Grow Sundays feature
nationally recognized preachers and musical artists
making it an opportune time for members to invite
guests to experience worship at Saint Mark.
For Get in the Grow Sunday in June, musical artist
Leon Timbo opened worship by plucking out
soulful renditions of “He’s Able,” “Nothing I Hold
Onto” and “Abba” on the acoustic guitar. Gospel
vocalist Jermia Cannon sang her heart out to a
powerful medley of “For Your Glory,” “His Eye
Is on the Sparrow” and “Nobody Greater,” while
Roosevelt Harris electrified the congregation as he
led the Sanctuary Choir with “Let’s Praise Him.”
Leaving inspired, a visitor from Beaumont, Texas
posted on on the Saint Mark Facebook page, “was
blessed throughout the service [and] can’t wait to
come back.”
The anointed and articulate Charlie E. Dates,
Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago,
IL, preached three equally powerful messages
entitled: “Hallelujah Anyhow,” “There Is an Upside
to Down” and “Face Your Facts with Faith.” Pastor
Dates exhorted believers to be people of gratitude
saying, “relief from life’s challenges can only be
found in developing a rhythm of thanksgiving.
Every season of a believer’s life can begin and
end with a hallelujah!” Pastor Dates encouraged
believers to be strong in life’s crises by responding
8 • GROWTH CONNECTIONS

to them with the Biblical truth of
who God is and then applying that
truth. His message struck a chord
with one member, who posted on our
Facebook page, “Truly blessed by it
all, but Pastor Dates was incredible.
What an awesome word. Would love
to have him back.”
There are two Get in the Grow
Sundays remaining in 2014: August
31 st and November 30 th . In August we
will welcome Dr. William Curtis and
musical guests Tim Rogers and The
Fellas. Recordings of Get in the Grow
Sundays in March and June can be
found at SMARK.org. Click on Get in
the Grow Sundays under the Connect
& Grow tab.
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 9

LIFE CONNECTIONS
Workshop for Couples: Growing Healthy Marriages
by Roline Thomas
The Marriage Ministry will
host a Marriage Workshop
on Saturday, September 6
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
in the Family Life Center. This
year, we spared no expense
by securing the best speaker
on the planet. Journeying all
the way from his Little Rock
home to pour into marriages
will be none other than our own senior pastor,
Phillip L. Pointer, Sr.
Discipleship Pastor Earnest Thomas expressed,
“I think this is going to be our best Marriage
Workshop ever because it features the anointed
teaching of our very own pastor.”
Whether you have a great marriage, or a not
so great marriage, you need to attend this
workshop. Longevity requires
servicing. Your marriage
requires servicing. See this
empowering time as marriage
maintenance.
“Couples should expect to be
rejuvenated and challenged
to go beyond what the world
says about marriage,” said
Marriage Ministry Director
Mary Porter. “This will be an
opportunity to engage and connect with other
married couples to further enhance and exemplify
godly marriages.”
This event is free and open to the public. Free
continental breakfast and free childcare will be
provided. Invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor,
relative, and anyone you wish to bless. For
additional information, contact the Discipleship
Office at 501-663-3955, ext. 212.
PreMarital Counseling:
Not a Last Minute Task
by Roline Thomas
Congratulations, you are engaged! So, what’s
next? Picking out rings? Deciding on wedding
colors? Buying a house? No, no and no! It’s time for
premarital counseling.
Premarital counseling is not just to prepare you
for marriage, but it is also to help you discover if
you are ready for married life and if your fiancé is
the right person to marry. Oftentimes couples have
announced their impending wedding date, secured
venues, or made non-refundable purchases for the
wedding before arranging for premarital counseling.
10 • GROWTH CONNECTIONS

Sexual Abuse: Moving from Surviving to Thriving!
by Roline Thomas
Are you or anyone you know struggling with the
effects of sexual abuse? Have you been told, “You
should be over it by now?” Do you ever wonder,
where is God and why did he allow this to happen
to me?
Whether you are a survivor of child sexual abuse
or rape, Saint Mark has a ministry to help in your
healing process. The Soul Care Lay Counseling
Ministry provides care for survivors through the
Survivors of Sex Abuse Support Group (SSA).
The SSA has been a tremendous blessing to
many members including former group participant
Nefertari Sims, who now serves as the SSA
Coordinator. Sims said, “It was important for me
to release the responsibility of being sexually
abused. With releasing responsibility, I was able to
let go of guilt and shame.”
Another survivor speaking anonymously
commented, “The SSA gave me a safe place to
share my experience and to be encouraged. They
did not force me to talk during the sessions. I was
allowed to participate at my own pace. Having
others in the group and on the counseling team
who were survivors allowed me to leave my island
of aloneness.”
The SSA group’s weekly sessions are designed
to transition you from victim to survivor and on to
a thriving, purposeful individual. Guided topics of
discussion include: self-identity, forgiveness, guilt,
shame, helping others, responsibility and more.
The next weekly SSA series begins Thursday,
September 25 and runs for 8 consecutive weeks.
Each session is held from 6 to 8 p.m. in room
320 of the Education Center. The meetings are
private, secured, free and open to the public. Only
SSA group members are allowed in the meeting
area and counselors are bound by confidentially
agreements. Childcare is not provided. Groups
are for women only. Male survivors can receive
free one-on-one counseling from an SSA Male
Counselor.
For more information contact the Soul Care
Director, Minister Roline Thomas at 501-663-
3955, ext. 242 or soulcare@smark.info.
Because of this, several couples ignore the red
flags to marriage. The couples are too embarrassed
to call off the wedding and instead, enter into
a covenant with someone they can’t picture
themselves being with for a lifetime.
One of the questions asked during premarital
counseling is, “Are you willing to marry this person
and be committed to them for the rest of their lives
even if their personality, character, and habitual
manners never change?” Marriage does not make
a cheater faithful and it doesn’t turn a selfish
person into a giver. Unresolved premarital problems
intensify after you say I do. Wedding ceremonies
last on average thirty minutes, whereas marriage is
for a lifetime.
Our premarital sessions are facilitated by married
couples. A minimum of 5 one-hour sessions is
required. We provide a workbook and homework
assignments for couples to work through and
complete together.
As with all of our completely confidential
counseling services, premarital counseling is
free and open to the public. It is our busiest area
of counseling ministry, so please submit your
counseling request forms to the church receptionist
during business hours as early as possible and at
least 3 months prior to your wedding date.
Forms for all counseling services offered by
Soul Care can be downloaded from the church
website, smark.org under the Members tab on the
homepage, or obtained at the reception desk at the
church during business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 11

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
School of Ministry to Offer Shorter Certification Tracks
by Terrie Ellington
Would you know how to defend your faith, if
you’re ever challenged? If you’re unsure about
your answer, there’s a class for you at the Roddy
E. Collins School of Ministry (REC). Monday,
September 8th begins a new school year with
new class offerings and shorter certification
tracks.
Whether you’re new to Christianity or a mature
Christian, REC offers you an opportunity to grow
spiritually.
“The Apologetics: Defending your Faith” is a new
course offering for the upcoming school year, with
a one-year certification. Also new this year is a
one-year certification in “Biblical Preaching” for
preachers and teachers, and REC will again offer
“Theology” for a two-year certification.
Discipleship Pastor Earnest Thomas highlighted
the success of the 14-year-old School of Ministry.
“We have had 700 students attend classes and
have [awarded] more than 300 certificates of
completion,” Thomas said.
“Some of our students have completed Roddy E.
Collins and gone on to obtain seminary degrees.
The program is designed to give you a sound
foundation of biblical knowledge,” he said.
Classes are held in the Education Building on the
Saint Mark church campus every Monday evening
from September through May from 6 to 8 p.m.
There is a minimal cost of $50 for the entire year
plus the cost of books. You also have the option
of paying $10 per session as you go.
You may sign up now in the worship center lobby,
at smark.org under the Members tab, or on the
first night of class.
Recent Graduates of the Roddy E. Collins School of Ministry Certification programs.
12
12 • GROWTH CONNECTIONS

Recent Graduates of the Masterlife Program.
Masterlife Another Great Way to Grow in Christ
by Terrie Ellington
Masterlife is a series of classes designed to teach
Christians how to live their every day lives in
ways that are pleasing and acceptable to God.
Masterlife helps us to become mature disciples of
Christ who devote our hearts and souls to God!
Q: What will I learn in Masterlife?
A: Masterlife is divided into 4 categories:
1. The Disciples Cross – You will learn how to
make Christ the center of your life, through
studying the Bible and memorizing and
obeying scripture.
2. The Disciples Personality – You will also
learn what your personality is, what your
sin nature is and how it affects your
personality to prevent you from living a
Christ-centered life.
3. The Disciples Victory – You will learn how
to live in victory over your sin nature.
4. The Disciples Mission- Lastly, you will
learn about The Great Commission and
how to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with the unsaved.
Q: When and where is Masterlife offered?
A: Masterlife is offered on Saint Mark’s campus in
the Education Building. Once you sign up, you will
be assigned a classroom and a teacher. Classes
are offered Sunday mornings during the Sunday
school hour from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. There is also
a Monday night offering from 6 to 8 p.m. The
cost is $10 for each book. Call 663-3955 ext. 212
for more details and session start dates.
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 13

LET'S CELEBRATE
Dr. Danyell Crutchfield-
Cummings Inducted in
Leadership Program
Dr. Danyell
Crutchfield-
Cummings,
the Little
Rock School
District’s
Director of
Testing and
Evaluation,
recently joined
a prestigious group. In June, she
was inducted into the XXIX Class
of Leadership Greater Little Rock.
Elizabeth R. Eskew
Promoted to
Assistant Director
Elizabeth
“Rochelle”
Eskew was
promoted
to Assistant
Director
of Human
Resources
for the AR
Enterprise for
the Developmentally Disabled,
Inc.
Valerie Pruitt Named to
Head Arkansas Voter
Registration Project
Valerie Pruitt
has been
named
Deputy Field
Director of the
Arkansas Voter
Registration
Project, a
non-partisan,
non profit
organization focused on making
sure Arkansans are registered to
vote.
Mia Iverson Achieves
Girl Scouts’ Silver Award
Mia Iverson, an eigth grade
student at Maumelle Middle
School, recently achieved her
Girl Scouts’ Silver Award. Her
award project was entitled “The
Take Action Research Project,”
designed to educate people
on healthy eating habits for
athletes.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Drayton Anderson Awarded
Apprenticeship at UCLA
Drayton Anderson was one of
100 young men from around the
country who recently attended
the Steve Harvey Mentoring
Camp. During the camp he was
awarded a full-paid trip to the
LEAP conference at UCLA and
a Coca-Cola Pay It Forward
Apprenticeship Experience.
These names were inadvertently omitted from the May/June
issue of Growth Connections. We apologize for the error.
BRYANT HIGHT SCHOOL: Danielle Buckner, Camille Thomas
E-STEM CHARTER SCHOOL: Eric Wilson, Jr., Justin Davis
LISA ACADEMY: Maya Freeman
MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES: Evan A. Forte, Angelique Lee
MAUMELLE HIGH SCHOOL: Patrick Mitchell, Jr., Tyler Iverson
Let us celebrate your achievement.
If you would like to submit your celebrations for inclusion in Growth Connections, send your
information along with a digital photo to zlherts@smark.org.
14 • GROWTH CONNECTIONS

Welcome New Members
In June and July we welcomed 129 members to the Saint Mark church family. We encourage you to
get to know our new members and welcome them to our family.
Chonney Abernathy
Sydney Ambrus
Tawanna Andrews
LaQuanah Armstrong
Annalee Ashby
John Askew
Kendalyn Atkins
Kendel Atkins
Krystal Baker
Evelean Banks
Kaidyn Beckwith
Julia Belcher
Brittany Berry
Leotha Berry
Rodney Bohannon
Jeremy Bosley
Sharon Bozeman
LaCoya Breedlove
LeQuon Breedlove
Antonette Brooks
Julie Brooks
Valerie Brooks
Wesley Brooks
Thomas Broughton
Rosalyn Brown
Amber Byles
Jeremy Byles
James Clark
Kenya Clark
Melvin Clayton
Alicia Collins
Carly Cooper
Gensing Nunerley Craft
Gracie Davis
Kentral Davis
Allegra Dukes
Derrika Dunning
Efosa Edogun
Bernard Ellington
Brady Ester, Jr.
Darrius Flowers
Teara Flowers
Julian Freeman
Darien Godbolt
Terrell Green
Emerald Greene
Shynnon Greer
Melanie Griffin
Kolby Hadley
Alexia Hale
Greta Hale
Kenneth Hamilton
Anessa Haney
Alexander Harrison
Linda Harrison
Marie Harvey
Brooklyn Hayes
Shamarcus Heard
Yokko Heard
April Helms
Dolores Hill
Elijah Hill, IV
Rhonda Hill
Gary Hillery, Jr.
Keith Hills
Fiona Howard
Kenneth Howard
Ryan Hutchinson
DeJa Jackson
Valandra Jackson
Whitney Jackson
Frederick Jefferson
Jasmine Jemison
David Jones
Tyra Jones
Chris Journet
LaKesha Kidd
Michael Landry
Amanda Lebbie
Suzetta Lee-Player
Jacqueline Lenard
Tiffany Luckadue
Miz Lunon
Leotis Macon
Christopher Manning
Alisha Mays
Kiara McCummings
Saralene McFadden
LaDonna Miner
Christopher Moore
Leslie Moore, Sr.
Sandquiette Morris
Ruby Nichols
Omar Pennywell
KyVeon Perkins
Gavan Peters
Gillian Peters
Jessica Powell
Stephanie Reed
Will W. Robinson
Ambrossiaal Rose, Jr.
Zoe Ross
Juanita Rumph
Fredrick Samuel
Aven Sasser
Corinthia Scales
Jasmine Simon
Emilee Smith
Harry J. Smith II
Jimmy Smith
Kenneth E. Smith
Paris Smith
Ramonica Smith
Tandenavia Smith
Alexander Stewart
Kya Stewart
Belinda Strickland
Rose Sullivan
Bryan Summerford
Shamille Taylor
Phalyn Tucker
Jacqueline Value
Kimberly Vasquez
Erma Wade
Danielle Williams
Kaylah Williams
Julius Willis
Amber Wright
Kennedy Wright
GROWTH CONNECTIONS • 15

WAYS TO
CONNECT
@saintmarklr
SMARK.org
We encourage you to stay
in touch with us through our
social media channels and our
website.
We also encourage you to
connect with Pastor Pointer
through his social media links.
@saintmarklr
@saintmarklr
@saintmarklr
@stmarklr
5722 West 12th Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72204
501.663.3955
501.663.4924