The states of Arkansas and Oklahoma are bracketed by wheat fields and cattle ranches in the high plains of Western Oklahoma and rice fields in the Mississippi River delta in Eastern Arkansas. Visitors to both states are often surprised to find mountains (Wichita and Arbuckle in Oklahoma; Ouachita and Ozark in Arkansas), lakes, rolling hills, and beautiful trees (from scrub oaks to tall pines).Visitors and “immigrants” are surprised that the Grapes of Wrath image of Oklahoma and the Lil’ Abner image of Arkansas are no longer appropriate, even though you can still find vestiges of those images.

The population of Arkansas and Oklahoma is growing. In Arkansas, most of the growth is occurring in Central Arkansas (Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs) and along the I-540 corridor in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and Bella Vista). In Oklahoma most of the growth is in the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Except in the “rural resort” areas of Arkansas, the population of most rural communities and small towns is declining and aging. While the “retired” population continues to grow in Arkansas, there are also increasing numbers of younger adults and young families with children moving into the growing areas of both states.

There are 58 ELCA congregations in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Lipscomb County Texas. The congregations are located in rural areas, small towns, large cities, resort and retirement communities, on college campuses, and near military installations. We have two primarily African-American congregations and one Native American congregation. 18 are Small Size congregations with an Average Worship Attendance (AWA) from 1-50. 30 are Pastoral Size with an AWA of 51-150. 6 are Program Size with an AWA of 151-350. 4 are Corporate Size with an AWA of 351-800.

While Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Lipscomb County Texas are on the “buckle of the Bible belt,” in many counties one half of the population or more does not adhere to any faith community. This is a “frontier environment” for participation in God’s mission.