UPDATE: see Jack talk about his research with the Little Rock Congregations Study, including this case study on Grace United Church, in this short YouTube video:

In 2022, two culturally-unique faith communities based in Central Little Rock, Arkansas merged. Grace Church, a majority White congregation, and Grace Temple Church, a majority Black congregation, formed the new Grace United Church. This unification of congregations, especially at a time of increased racial tensions across the country, was an impressive demonstration of racial unity and attempt at understanding and embracing distinct styles and traditions of worship.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once noted that “eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours, if not the most segregated hours in Christian America.” King’s observation remains alarming, as churches remain one of the last vestiges of segregation in the United States. Though churches have undeniably diversified, the movement has been small: according to sociologist Dr. Michael Emerson, only 16% of American churches have more than 20% of their membership composed of members of different races. However, this number is an increase from just 6% in 1998. This movement towards diversity and integration of congregations in the United States has been joined by Grace United Church.

Per Grace United Church’s website, the process began with a prayer: “this prayer was simply that God would bring an African American church and a Caucasian church together in West Little Rock to display this unity [so that the world would believe in Jesus].” The two congregations had long collaborated in inter congregational events and even swapped pulpits at their shared location on Cantrell road in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Eventually, the two congregations merged into a unified church with a mission of identity, unity, and ministry outlined on their website: https://graceunitedlr.com/mission-and-vision. The church is led by three pastors: Bishop Steven Arnold, Pastor Joshua Hurlburt, and Pastor Neal Scoggins.

Attending Grace United’s Sunday service on February 26th, 2023, one would notice that the church had adjusted well to the merger, with almost every seat in the church filled. Members of different races could be observed greeting, hugging, and sitting together prior to the service, which fell on the last Sunday of Black History Month. The importance of that day was not neglected, with children in the congregation, both Black and White, highlighting notable figures in Black history, such as Dr. Joe Hargrove, the first Black cardiologist in the state of Arkansas and a member of Grace United.

Members of Grace United, and even the Pastors, are still adjusting to what they refer to as a “marriage” of the two previous congregations. At one point in the service, Pastor Josh Hurlburt remarked at the differences in music that the two congregations displayed at their services: “you will have to forgive us Grace Church legacy folks, we don’t know these songs. But we love them.”

Ultimately, Grace United appears to be adjusting well to the unification of both churches. From attending the February 26th service, it is apparent that Grace United is a healthy, lively church well-equipped to continue as a unified church for the foreseeable future.

Sources:

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Every night at iftar–the breaking of fast during the holy month of Ramadan–congregants eat dates at many mosques across the globe, including the Medina Institute in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dates are not a necessary part of the process, they are a tradition, but waiting to eat until sunset is. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide fast during the day and eat when it’s dark. Fasting is a part of several major religions, a practice that reminds adherents of not only the prominent fastings of major prophets like Jesus and Muhammad, but also reminds the adherents to be thankful, thoughtful, and engage in prayer. Many believe hunger pangs are to remind individuals to pray, which can become especially relevant in a world filled with screens and constant distractions. Much of the Muslim community in Little Rock go to their mosque before sunset to practice this tradition.

But outside the Madina Institute before an iftar celebration sits a force seemingly opposed to the peaceful worship inside: the Little Rock police department. One officer guarded the door and others sat in the several police SUVs in the parking lot, all equipped with firearms, pepper spray, stun guns, and handcuffs. Although the city government did dispatch officers to local mosques and synagogues after the October 7th attacks, these officers are hired by the mosque to keep everyone inside safe. Muslim hate crimes were on the decline in recent years but have begun to rise since October 7th, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Ifar, however, is not canceled in the face of potential threat. The potential threat does not scare away guests, either. At the Madina Institute, all are welcome–not just Muslims. Guests are ushered past police and to their table. As is a custom in Islam, men and women eat on either side of a room. Guests receive special treatment. They are allowed to eat at a mixed-gender table in the center of the room. They are given plenty of food that would be used to break fast when the time comes, like lentil soup, dates, and rose water. Congregants and mosque leaders approach guests to explain the process of Iftar shortly before the ceremonies start. Everyone, including non-Muslims, broke fast, listened to the imam’s prayer, and was invited to enter the prayer hall to either observe or pray.

Even with the smell of food and festivities coming from inside, Little Rock police continue to sit outside and deter any wrong-doers. Worshipers inside can pray with the peace of mind these officer’s presence provides. A large feast follows prayer, with guests being ushered to the front of the line. Guests are given desserts after dinner, while some Muslims choose to pray two or more hours before having a bite of rice pudding. Through nightly worship they complete the recitation of the Quran during the month of Ramadan. Guests are welcome to leave when they wish and are once again supervised by officers as they leave. Iftar being protected by local law enforcement shows a side of American religious freedom many Americans do not see often. Many Americans either go to church or go to no worship services at all, likely never seeing police protection over worship. These officers protect not only the right for the worshipers to practice their traditions, but they also protect the guests with whom the local mosques share their culture. These cultural connections make Little Rock the place it is, thanks to the Little Rock police department. Ramadan Mubarak.

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The question of prophets and their place in the grand narrative of religion has been a source of division for millennia. Was Moses, Jesus, or Muhammad the one true messenger of God? The Baha’i Faith, a relatively new Abrahamic religion founded in the mid-19th century, offers a radical perspective. All three can be seen as manifestations of God, each sent to humanity at a specific point in history. This core tenet of unity resonates with a growing number of people seeking common ground across religious divides. Though the Baha’i Faith’s path hasn’t been without its challenges.

On March 10th, 2024, a delegation from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, including myself, had the opportunity to attend a Baha’i gathering in Little Rock. The focus of the evening was on fostering interfaith dialogue. While the Baha’i teachings emphasize creating a global religion that unites all faiths, some wondered how this vision incorporates traditions outside the Abrahamic sphere. The Baha’i perspective, as explained by the community members, is one of inclusion. They recognize prominent figures in various religions as additional manifestations of God.

This emphasis on unity stands in stark contrast to the persecution the Baha’i faith has faced, particularly in its country of origin, Iran. Since its inception in the mid-19th  century, the Baha’i community in Iran has been viewed with suspicion and hostility by the ruling regime. The Iranian government considers the Baha’i Faith a heretical offshoot of Islam and does not recognize it as a legitimate religion. This has resulted in systematic discrimination against Baha’is, who have been arrested and imprisoned solely on the basis of their faith, according to Amnesty International and the United Nations. Baha’i youth are denied access to higher education and Baha’i properties have been confiscated. In the past, Iran has even held executions of  Baha’is. The Baha’i International Community reported that over 1,000 Baha’i members were awaiting imprisonment in Iran as of April 2022.

Despite these hardships, the Baha’i community in Iran has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Clinging to their core principles of peace and unity, they have refused to be cowed by persecution. The Baha’i International Community, the religion’s governing body, has consistently advocated for the rights of its members in Iran through international diplomacy and by raising awareness of the persecution they face. The Baha’i message of harmony and universal understanding continues to resonate with people around the world, even in the face of Iranian repression. The religion’s emphasis on unity and the interconnectedness of humanity offers a compelling vision for a more peaceful world, a vision that stands in stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric often employed by those who persecute Baha’is. An example of this is that Islam is the state religion of Iran, some portray Baha’is as apostates, those who have abandoned Islam. This framing criminalizes the Baha’i faith.

The gathering at the Little Rock Baha’i center served as a testament to this spirit of inclusivity. As a first-time visitor, I found the atmosphere welcoming and the discussions enlightening. The Baha’i community’s approach to interfaith dialogue offers a hopeful perspective in a world often divided by religious differences. Their story of resilience in the face of persecution serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of religious freedom and mutual understanding.

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According to research from the Little Rock Congregations Study, Little Rock residents have identified racial disparity and K-12 education as top issues in our community. CityChurch Network has been working towards innovative solutions by uniting churches and sharing best-practice ideas in connecting with families through church-school partnerships. Through the added stress of the pandemic, CityChurch Network has been hard at work with its Vital Families in Schools Initiative. More churches than ever are joining together to help strengthen families through church-school partnerships in Little Rock.

The Vital Families in Schools Initiative’s focus is to mobilize more churches and deepen efforts in serving schools through family support, student mentoring, and family-to-family connections. During pandemic limitations, students and their mentors meet virtually on Zoom, CityChurch Network encouraged churches to have their mentors meet virtually on Zoom with students, shining a light on things at home. Now that schools are opening up, the opportunities for in-person mentoring are increasing as well. There remain advantages to mentoring over Zoom, however – increasing the number of mentors who can serve from a church and allowing the mentors to get to interact with the families more closely.

CityChurch Network unites different denominations and people of different backgrounds from all around the Greater Little Rock area. This assists in greater community impact by churches and continues to increase racial reconciliation in our city. Relationships are being built, which empowers people of color within our community.

Bringing congregations and leaders together for the benefit of the community is part of CityChurch’s vision. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has been a vital part of our network over the years, and this is what he had to say:

“My internal ‘why’ when we were elected back in 2018 was to do all that I can to unite the city of Little Rock. Move with us from being disconnected to connected. …CityChurch Network has that same internal ‘why.’”

To date, 27 Little Rock churches are participating, each partnering with one or more schools. CityChurch Network’s leadership team and church clergy leaders then help to connect students and their families with mentor families within their school’s matched church. This is helpful when families are needing extra support or a listening ear, or even to get together for a barbecue or celebration. Children receive help with schoolwork and achieve a genuine connection with their church mentors.

Student mentoring helps Little Rock students who need it most,

“(Mentoring) is one of the reasons I feel like I’m the best father I could possibly be and the best husband I could possibly be. It’s one of the reasons I feel like it is my responsibility to be the mentor that I can be for our youth today.”

Travis Harris, Student Pastor at Central Church of Christ, McClellan High School Graduate

The CityChurch Network sees a future of Little Rock where every student reads at grade level and there is a dramatic increase in the high school graduation rate. We see our racial disparity and social justice issues wane and we see everyone working towards the betterment of the community. Research supports that families are vital to the success of their children and the flourishing of communities. This begins in the home with one child, one family, one church, and one school at a time.

“Research continues to confirm that family brokenness, education and racial inequality are big issues facing our cities. CityChurch Network is seeking to unite churches in initiatives informed by research, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and focused for greater impact.”

Ray Williams, CityChurch Network Team Leader

 CityChurch Network’s Vital Families Initiative encompasses the village it takes to raise a child, and we are fortunate this village is Little Rock.

To learn more about the Vital Families initiatives or see how you or your church can get involved, contact Ray Williams at rwilliams@citychurchar.org or go to CityChurchAR.org.

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The Islamic Center of Little Rock (ICLR), officially founded in 1992, has an active food bank that has been open since 2010 and has fed hundreds of families. The food bank is open on Sunday’s from 10:30am-12:30pm at 3224 Anna St. Bags normally consist of items such as food (including fresh fruits and vegetables), drinks, shampoo, and conditioner. They are always looking for volunteers, help, and donations. 

The global pandemic has created a struggle for a wide range of citizens in our community. Countless people have lost their jobs and medical professionals are working overtime, which means the community needs to pull together and support one another now more than ever. This has led to increased food pantry donations at the ICLR and has inspired the congregation to give back to their community in a different way–by donating meals to ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝MS staff. ICLR Chairman, Brother Abdul Rahman Abu Nasra said that in the midst of everything going on, “The ICLR Leadership, Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and the ICLR volunteers are ready to help the community members and ready to give back to the community.”

Along with donating food to those in need throughout the community, the congregation also donated meals to the Emergency Medicine staff at ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝MS in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rania Elbahey and Hoda Hagrass took pre-boxed meals to the Emergency Medicine department to provide a bit of relief for employees that have been working tirelessly. 

Marcia Dunbar, the ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝MS Volunteer Coordinator said “Our staff is overwhelmed by the kindness shown during this time. It reminds us that we are not alone in this. We greatly appreciate community support. It may seem small to some, but when food is delivered from a business within the community, it is like having a little bit of home with us. We can’t always leave to run and get our favorite meal. Having it brought to us is a huge kindness.”

Services may differ due to COVID-19, so here are some platforms that can be reached out to for more information. The ICLR facebook page is , the website is , and the phone number is 501-565-4930.

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Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series written by students in Dr. Rebecca Glazier’s International Religious Freedom class at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in spring, 2020. The students studied how learning positive things about religious minorities could help break the  on religious freedom. Each student contributed a story to this series as their effort to that end. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a branch of Christianity which believes in modern prophets and studies the religious text, The Book of Mormon. One of the most notable beliefs of the Latter-Day Saints is the practice of going on a mission, where young men and women are sent all over the world to spread the word of God. To date, there are approximately 1,000 members of the Church in Central Arkansas, and they are doing wonderful things for our community and around the world.

The Pinnacle Mountain Ward of the Church is involved in several outreach projects. Two formal programs are their Addiction Recovery and Self Reliance classes. The Addiction Recovery program is a 12 step program that helps any and all addicts on the road to recovery. After the 12 step program is over, the Church still remains a part of their lives with continued support and guidance. Following that same motivation, the Church’s Self Reliance classes are aimed at bettering individuals’ everyday lives. These classes are centered around personal finance, furthering one’s education, and tips on how to get a better job. The Pinnacle Mountain Ward also has a more informal outreach program that focuses on welfare programs in the community. These welfare programs help ease the cost of rent, utilities, and other bills for people in need.

Besides the congregation’s outreach programs, Sister Cassandra Howell says that members, “will go out of their way to make people feel welcome and accepted.” On a typical Sunday, you should expect to see multiple generations of families ready to help and welcome you to their community.

As the Church has begun these programs and expanded their outreach, Bishop Sean Whiteley noted that they have begun to fit into the broader Little Rock community, “increasingly well.” Historically, the Church has seen some severe judgements and misconceptions. Members of the Church have been working to end these misconceptions and spread the word of God in Little Rock and beyond. Although I was unable to attend a service firsthand, through phone calls and friendships, I can attest to the kindness and selflessness of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints.

If you are interested in learning more about this congregation, or wanting to join one of their outreach programs, please contact them at their Facebook page:  . They will welcome you with big smiles and open arms!

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The Unitarian Universalist Church is a denomination of Christianity that truly molds its entire belief system around the idea of “loving thy neighbor.” Their focus on this teaching causes them to fully embrace the idea of completely accepting others, as well as helping them in any way they can. One of the ways that the Little Rock congregation exemplifies this ideal is by volunteering with the Stephens Food Pantry. In this era of social distancing, I was able to speak with Nell Matthews, a leader in the congregation who works closely with the program, which has continued to operate with even greater urgency than before. 

The Stephens Food Pantry works in tandem with Stephens Elementary School. On every Friday during the past three school years, volunteers have distributed food to those in need. The Unitarian Universalists work with the Arkansas Food Bank in order to get the supplies used in the pantry, which includes various kinds of fresh produce and meats. After recording the names, ages, total number of family members, employment, and veteren status, people are free to take a reusable bag and select the foods that they want for the week. When the school closed due to Covid-19, the volunteers adapted by using premade boxes of emergency food that were provided by the Arkansas Food Bank. These boxes can be picked up every Friday in the school’s parking lot, which allows people to still get vital supplies while also continuing to safely social distance.

When initially starting the Stephens Food Pantry, the congregation immediately raised twice the amount of money that was requested, allowing it to continue running smoothly much beyond what was originally anticipated.  As well, they are currently asking the Walmart Foundation for a grant through the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance for enough money to start giving weekly distributions over the summer, rather than stopping when the school year ends. While speaking about how the pandemic has affected the money given towards the Stephens Food Pantry, Matthews said, “I anticipate that even if our budget is hurting, if I make a special plea to the congregation, ‘These are the social action things that we want to continue to do but we can only do if you can make an extra gift,’ that people will respond.” These words perfectly summarize the type of generosity that the Unitarian Universalist Church promotes among its members.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock is located at 1818 Reservoir Road, Little Rock, Arkansas. If you would like to learn more about Unitarian Universalists, you can visit their website at  or call (501) 225-1503. You do not have to be a member of the church to help at the Stephens Food Pantry, so if you would like to get involved with volunteering you can find more information and sign up at !

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Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series written by students in Dr. Rebecca Glazier’s International Religious Freedom class at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in spring, 2020. The students studied how learning positive things about religious minorities could help break the  on religious freedom. Each student contributed a story to this series as their effort to that end. 

Founded in 1993, Lubavitch of Arkansas – Center for Jewish Life is a synagogue in Little Rock, Arkansas directed by Rabbi Pinchus Ciment. ‘Lubavitch’, the name of a town in Belarus, is where the movement was based for more than a century and translates to mean ‘Town of Love.’ The goal of the centers is to serve all Jews, regardless of differences in affiliation. As stated by Rabbi Ciment, “The overarching goal we have as a mission in our community is what we can give to someone else. The opportunity to   engage with others, and of paramount importance, what we can learn from them.”

           The Lubavitch of Arkansas Center educates and promotes various Jewish Observances and educational activities to Jews throughout the state of Arkansas and conducts numerous human and social service programs aiding the needy through charity and volunteer work. An important area of volunteer work is Lubavitch of Arkansas’s remarkable social services programs that sponsor dedicated groups of volunteers making regular visits to the local hospitals to provide comfort and care as well as additional assistance to those who are in need. Additionally, children at the Children’s Hospital of Arkansas are treated to gifts of toys, and receive visits from the children of the congregation at school. The elderly are also treated to the joy of children visiting and singing for them to uplift their spirits, no matter where they might be. If you would like to volunteer in assisting or know of someone who needs assistance you can call 501-217-0053.

Chabad- Lubavitch teaches understanding and recognition of the creator, the role and purpose of the creation and the importance of each creature.  ‘ChaBaD’ is itself a Hebrew acronym from the words “°äłó´ÇłŚłółž˛šłó”– wisdom, “ľţžą˛Ô˛šłó” – comprehension and “śŮ˛š˛šłŮ” – knowledge. Lubavitch of Arkansas, with branches located in both Little Rock and Bentonville, is the regional headquarters for the world-wide Chabad Lubavitch movement, the largest Jewish outreach network in the world with over 3,000 centers. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement has roots in the Hasidic movement of the 18th century, and today has thousands of centers around the world.

Lubavitch of Arkansas is dedicated to serving Jews of all ages, based on the foundational principles of love of a fellow, love of God, and love of Torah. Chabad Lubavitch of Arkansas provides the education and means to promote Jewish awareness, knowledge and practice through outreach, education and social service programs to help ensure Jewish continuity, such as Sabbath and holiday meals and meetings to promote observance of Sabbath and others holidays in the Jewish community such as Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim. Although unable to physically attend services at the Lubavitch of Arkansas – Center for Jewish Life in person, I am thankful and genuinely touched by the kindness and dedicated efforts of a determined community to be a force of change, goodness, and hope in the lives of so many people.

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Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series written by students in Dr. Rebecca Glazier’s International Religious Freedom class at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in spring, 2020. The students studied how learning positive things about religious minorities could help break the  on religious freedom. Each student contributed a story to this series as their effort to that end. 

According to the , approximately 79 percent of adults practicing religion in the State of Arkansas identify as Christian. In contrast, just 2 percent identify as Muslim. Nevertheless, the Madina Institute, one of very few mosques in Little Rock, AR, continues to expand its role as a prominent religious congregation through routine community engagement and interfaith education.

Founded in November of 2016 by Sophia Said, the Madina Institute champions the progressive principles of education, illumination, and compassion in order to “develop, support and promote a comprehensive Islamic way of life based on compassion and community service, actively meet community’s social, spiritual, and educational needs, develop youth to be thoughtful and reflective leaders of our schools & communities, and build bridges with the community at large through interfaith engagement and service” (). 

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to plague the world, many places of worship, such as the Madina Institute, were required to temporarily suspend in-person operations. This drastic change has impacted the Madina Institute, as well as every mosque worldwide, due to its direct impact on Ramadan observations. Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for Muslims, is typically met with fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made planning for this spiritual month of increased worship very challenging.

With Ramadan occurring during the height of the pandemic (April 23rd – May 23rd) life for leaders of the Madina Institute has been very busy to say the least. Nevertheless, they took it upon themselves to give back to the community during this stressful time by establishing a Coronavirus Benevolence Fund. This fund will assist individuals who are struggling financially during the pandemic pay for essential items such as bills, food, and medical expenses. The response to the fund’s establishment was astounding, with “more than $32,000 donated within the first two weeks of the fund’s creation,” according to Ms. Said. Currently, the fund supports 26 families; however, as more donations are received, more families will be supported. 

In addition to the Coronavirus Benevolence Fund, the Madina Institute, in conjunction with other local mosques, established a Community Mask Campaign. Like the Coronavirus Benevolence Fund, the Community Mask Campaign has seen a remarkable response. Although small at first, Ms. Said stated that “now we are helping not only marginalized or immigrant communities by providing them masks, but we are also giving them to nursing homes. ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝MS is sending us requests. Other churches are sending us requests.” Ms. Said also noted that “none of the masks are being sold. They are free of costs.” On April 22nd, Dr. Sara Tariq, a Madina Institute board member, delivered 100 stitched cloth masks to a nursing home in Pine Bluff. This is a truly inspiring example of how the Madina Institute engages with the surrounding Little Rock community. A video of Dr. Tariq discussing these two COVID-19 related efforts is available to view on YouTube.

The Madina Institute is located at 12123 Kanis Road, Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information about the Madina Institute or its response to COVID-19, call 501-508-5051, email admin@madinainstitute.us, or visit their Facebook page at .

The post The Madina Institute: Helping Community in Times of Crisis appeared first on Little Rock Congregations Study.

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series written by students in Dr. Rebecca Glazier’s International Religious Freedom class at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in spring, 2020. The students studied how learning positive things about religious minorities could help break the on religious freedom. Each student contributed a story to this series as their effort to that end. 

Little Rock is a diverse city with many different congregations that all serve the community in various ways. Today, I want to spotlight Congregation B’nai Israel.

As part of the International Religious Freedom class taught by Dr. Rebecca Glazier at ĚÇĐÄVlog´ŤĂ˝ Little Rock, I reached out to Congregation B’nai Israel. Unfortunately, I could not attend the congregation due to the coronavirus, but I was able to talk to their religious leader, Rabbi Barry Block.

B’nai Israel is a Reform Judaism congregation that has been here in Little Rock since 1866. The Reform Judaism movement is distinguished by its inclusiveness and openness to people from many backgrounds and they fight for equality and against discrimination. They welcome people from interfaith families, people of color, people with disabilities, as well as people from the LGBTQ community. Today, they worship and practice their religion in their West Little Rock temple.

Serving the community plays a very important role in the belief of Congregation B’nai Israel. “In Judaism, the purpose of life is about how we can transform the world into a better one,” said Rabbi Block.

That is why the members of the congregation are engaged in many different projects to serve the Little Rock community. One of them that Rabbi Block highlighted is their project partnered with Our House. Once a month, members of the congregation go to the homeless shelter for people that are working or actively looking for work and serve food for them. The project has changed due to the current circumstances. Instead of cooking and serving the meals, the congregation is delivering the meals to the guard shack in respect of the coronavirus regulations established by the shelter. Nevertheless, Congregation B’nai Israel tries to find ways to serve the Little Rock community even in difficult times of a global pandemic.

In another project, the congregation provides school supplies and backpacks for students that attend Little Rock Public Schools that could otherwise not afford the items. Moreover, every year in the fall, congregants prepare Thanksgiving baskets for families that are in need in Little Rock.

Congregation B’nai Israel serves and interacts with the Little Rock community in many ways to make the Little Rock community a little bit better every time.

“This is our job,” said Rabbi Block.

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