Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Ministerial Alliance Provides Community Service
PRAIRIE GROVE — From recognizing the National Day of Prayer to providing Sonic drinks for teachers and even to substitute teaching, the Prairie Grove Ministerial Alliance is an active group made up of staff members from several churches in town.
“There’s an unfortunate sense of rivalries between churches,” said Vance Eubanks, pastor of Prairie Grove Christian Church. “But here, there’s truly a sense of cooperation.”
Eubanks chairs the alliance and has been involved since he came to Prairie Grove Christian Church about 11 years ago. Other churches actively involved right now are First Baptist, Prairie Grove United Meth- odist Church, Prairie Oaks Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian and New Sulphur Free Will Baptist. Others have been involved in the past.
The group meets once a month and usually eight or nine men gather to eat lunch and plan different projects throughout the year.
Eubanks is not sure how long the alliance has been in existence but he knows it has been around more than 20 years because the alliance started Life Ministries about 20 years ago.
Life Ministries, a non- profit religious organization, is a good example of how the alliance works together on projects, Eubanks said.
The Ministerial Alliance decided it would be more effective for the churches to combine resources
to help the needy instead of each church sponsoring its own clothing closet or food pantry. They formed Life Ministries, which meets the financial and personal needs of people in southwestern Washington County. The alliance continues to sponsor the ministry, though it now is a separate organization with its own Board of Directors and volunteer workers.
The alliance plans a mid- season service each year that is held between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This service rotates among the different churches and as part of the service, the alliance takes up an offering to pay for its projects throughout the year.
The annual projects include a teacher appreciation luncheon at the beginning of the year and Sonic drinks for the teachers in May. The alliance supports the school district’s Fellow- ship of Christian Athletes with money and technical support for its rallies and participates in the Speedy Skunk Run. Other activities have included mentoring students in the Prairie Grove school system and giving guitar lessons.
They’ve even been called upon to serve as substitute teachers on occasion. One time, many of the teachers wanted to attend a funeral and the district called Eubanks and asked if the Ministerial Alliance could help out. Another time, the teachers wanted to attend a luncheon off campus.
Eubanks said ministerial alliances were common for many years in small communities. The difference in Prairie Grove, he said, is that the pastors have kept it going.
“It takes some work and you have to decide to carve out time for it and commit to it,” Eubanks said.
Matthew Jones, pastor of Prairie Grove United Methodist Church, said he believes the unified spirit is what makes Prairie Grove’s alliance unique and successful.
The ministers are united because they are all serving God, said Andrew Kirschner, associate pastor of Prairie Grove Christian Church.
“We want the whole community to know and understand, we all serve the cause of Christ, regardless of denomination,” Kirschner said.
Brad Harris, pastor of Prairie Grove Oaks Baptist, added, “Even though we don’t see a lot of the minor issues the same, Jesus Christ is the main thing and that’s what unites us. We want to share the good news in our community.”
The alliance’s next major event will be a community breakfast to recognize the National Day of Prayer on May 2. The breakfast will be held at First Baptist Church in Prairie Grove.