Why Newport, Arkansas?
“They are all going to Hell! They are all going to Hell! And it burns me that we could all care less!!!” - Unknown Preacher
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15Newport is a small city in Arkansas that is in desperate need of a Fundamental Independent Baptist Church. Newport has a rich history. Newport is unique. Newport is very religious, but Newport is also very lost.
Newport has a rich history. Newport was incorporated in 1875 and it is the center of Jackson County, Arkansas. Newport is 84 miles northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas on the White River. The river, along with the railroads, played a significant part in the town’s prosperity. Newport was the center of the fresh pearl market and the leader in the pearl button industry. In 1942, Newport airbase attracted military families from all over until its closing in 1946. During the 1950’s , Jackson county was recognized as one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. For this reason a young Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-mart, moved to the town of Newport and opened his first retail store, entitled Ben Franklin five and dime. Newport is unique. As you drive through Newport it doesn’t take a lot of time to notice all the farmland. Newport farmers grow a wide variety of produce like watermelon, corn, rice and beans. In stark contrast to Newport’s history, Newport is no longer one of the wealthiest cities in America. Newport is home to almost 11,000 people and a great majority of them are in need of a job. Most of the residents of Newport who are employed work as a farmer, work at one of its two factories, at one of its two schools, or in the retail or fast food industries. The median income for a household is only $24,151 with almost 20% of the population living below the poverty level. Newport if very religious, but also very lost. Driving through Newport and seeing all of the churches would lead you to believe that there are many believers in this city. The truth is that most of the churches here are comprised of a handful of people, these churches don’t practice a regular soul-winning effort, and the larger influential churches teach a works salvation. It really bothers me that I regularly see adds in the local newspaper from the larger churches in this area with steps of salvation that include baptism. Most of the people we speak to here are living in fear because they believe they can lose their salvation. Newport is a small city in Arkansas that is in desperate need of a Fundamental Independent Baptist Church. Newport has a rich history. Newport is unique. Newport is very religious, but Newport is also very lost. “They are all going to Hell! They are all going to Hell!...”
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