One of the greatest experiences of my life was working as a pastor for fourteen years at Bethany World Prayer Center, next to one of the most remarkable men I have ever known.  Roy Stockstill, the founding pastor of the church and mentor to many, often guided me in ways that later became deep values.  I refer to them until this day.

It was not until I was moving to Central Arkansas to plant a new church that Brother Roy spoke something to me that I consider the most significant guidance I ever received.   Just days before we left for Arkansas, I asked him what advice he could give me as a new lead pastor, and this was his reply:

       He told me to make sure I was always on my knees in prayer. He said

       that a man on his face before the Lord would never fall from that position.

Perhaps after working beside each other for so many years, there was something in my life that he saw.  Maybe pride?  After all, he had known me in my twenties, as a graduate from Bible School and also a Youth Pastor.  There was a strong likelihood that that wise man knew exactly what I needed to know . . . stay humble!   

 Brother Roy’s advice has been so valuable to me as a senior pastor, especially in times of great success.  Sometimes we find it hard to remember that it is only because of God that any positive things happen in our lives.  There may be occasions when we are tempted to think we have done such a great job of leading, while in actuality God was able to accomplish His will in spite of us.  I have often told our church that the proper spelling of my last name is P-R-I-D-E.  It is the one thing I continually place before God as a sacrifice.

On several occasions I have reminded our staff about the value of Brother Roy’s statement.  Humility is imperative for a Christian, and especially for a minister.  If you spend time on your face in prayer, there will be little time to be impressed with our own accomplishments.

-Rick Bezet

At the beginning of a new year, so many of us want to make a new start.  Some will start to exercise again; some of us will begin to tighten up our finances; perhaps some of us will try to be more generous.  This is a great time for focus, re-evaluating, seeking vision...a time for us to cry out to God for things to change.  One of the beautiful things about God is that He will never let us down.

Each year in January, we take 21 days to seek after God through prayer and fasting.  There are a number of things you can choose to fast--ranging from food choices to things that compete for your time and attention.  For instance, some people are fasting TV or music, and others are fasting coffee.  The key here is to fast something that you truly enjoy, and every time you feel compelled to watch, listen, or drink, you remember why you're fasting and choose to pursue God instead.  Prayer is an integral part of these 21 days as we seek God and choose to put Him first.

Each campus has its own unique prayer and worship schedule so be sure to check the times for your campus.  We look forward to seeing those of you that can make it and urge those of you that can't to try and make time each day to be in prayer if even only for 10 minutes.

Cabot Campus

Praise and Worship Nights
January 16th and 23rd @ 6:30 PM

Morning Prayer
January 13th-14th, 17th-21st, and 24th-28th from 8:00 to 8:45 AM

Conway Campus

Praise and Worship Nights
January 10th, 11th, and 13th @ 6:30 PM

Morning Prayer
January 17th-28th from 6:00 to 6:45 AM

Fort Smith Campus

Morning Prayer
January 10th-14th, 17th-21st, and 24th-28th from 6:30-7:30 AM

Greater Little Rock Campus

Praise and Worship Nights
January 10th, 12th, and 13th @ 6:30 PM

Morning Prayer
January 17th-28th from 6:30 to 7:15 AM

Heber Springs Campus

Morning Prayer
January 10th-14th, 17th-21st, and 24th-28th from 6:00-6:45 AM

Today, DHS showed up to take four of our Dream Center kids away from their mother. While this may seem like a sad situation, it actually is good for the kids. Their utilities are off as much as they are on, their clothes are tattered and dirty,  the house they live in is filthy and falling apart, and their street has several abandoned homes.  Overall their situation is rough.

Today as I stood on the sidewalk watching this all happen, I realized I was the only one there fighting for the kids. Their mom was all too eager to be rid of the burden. She didn’t hesitate at turning them over to complete strangers, and no relatives arrived to take them home. As I helped them gather the few items of clothing they owned, I realized that one boy had everything he possessed in the world in his arms.  This isn’t the first time these kids have been removed.  I could see the hurt in their eyes because, once again, they are being passed around by strangers.

As I drove from Downtown Little Rock to a meeting in Conway, I cried like a little baby.  I completely lost it.  I prayed asking God "Why do these precious children have to hurt?  Why did this mother not fight for her children?  Why Lord?" While I drove, the Lord told me why.  Over a year ago I started praying that the Lord would break my heart for the people of the Dream Center Community.  Today, I realized He did just that.

The Dream Center Team amazes me every day.  They are daily fighting for these kids, when no one else is.  I challenge you to pray this prayer from Hillsong.

“Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me”

“Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause”


--Drew Davis

“Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy you can be?’ How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, ‘Why was I born?’ Or if it said to its mother, ‘Why did you make us this way?’ This is what the Lord says—the Holy One of Israel and your Creator.” Isaiah 45:9-11

            Beloved, your God created you. He literally shaped your every finger and toe in your mother’s womb. He has been expectantly waiting since the creation of the earth until you were born. He has ordained all of your days. He knows every single piece of trivia about you. He knows your desires better than you do. He knows what makes your heart beat with excitement. He knows what speaks love to you. You are a piece of clay that He is constantly molding into the you He already planned. You were not a mistake. 

          You may feel discomfort because you’re being stretched as a piece of clay. You may feel confused because you want to be a bowl and He’s making you a vase instead. He sees you. He knows you. Some of you feel He has forgotten you, completely. But look, he says, “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands,” Isaiah 49:15-16.

       You are literally written into the palms of the Maker. You have a place etched onto the very hands that created you. The Lord has not forgotten you.


-Molly Clayborn - Real Life Student Ministries Leader

Isn't it true that we all long for significance in our lives? We all want our lives to account for something. To some, significance is found in their uniqueness. They make a statement in life through their creativity, talents or the way they stand out from the crowd. Others find their significance through power. Power in finance, power in leadership, power in control. Still others find significance through relationships. Relationships with family and friends make them feel valued and useful.

I believe it's for this same desire of significance that we enjoy movies, become sports fans, acquire possessions, join groups and teams and even churches. We do these things to associate with significance. In movies and sports, we live vicariously through others. Through possessions we feel a level of achievement and ownership. In groups we offer our abilities and talents as well as find significance through relationships.

Seeing how important this topic of significance is, my question is; how much significance are you offering to others? Do you take time to point out someone's talent of gift? Do you honor someone's leadership skills? Do you take time for your family and friends, letting them know that they matter to you? All of these have one thing in common, time. Time is your most valuable commodity. Time comes with a personal sacrifice, but time will prove someone's significance to you more than anything you can offer. Time is a treasure we can never regain, we must use it wisely. The bible says it this way in Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

he funny thing is, when you show significance to others, it brings great significance to your life as well.


-Phil Noblit