When we proclaim that First Church is Downtown for Good, we deliberately state publicly something that this congregation has been able to say for almost 180 years. Back in 1831 when the fledgling congregation began near the Arkansas River just blocks from our present location, I doubt anyone used phrases like that. But over the years and through many many kinds of changes, it has become embedded deeply in our “Church DNA”– that we truly are downtown for good:

• here in the heart of downtown for the good of all people
• downtown, lifting up that which is good and life-giving
• committed to being the Church downtown, a living expression of the body of Christ in an urban setting
• downtown and not moving out-even though many others have done so over the years

There are more than two dozen United Methodist congregations alone in the City of Little Rock but only one downtown–and that is First Church. We are very proud of our heritage but even more excited about our future. God has blessed us in so many ways with a diverse population, beautiful facilities, as well as creative and bold Christian people. While we know that we are “blessed to be a blessing,” we acknowledge that with such blessing comes great responsibility. I am thankful every day to be a pastor who leads a flock of people who believe their vision is to be an inclusive downtown congregation that builds Christian community where people experience God’s transforming grace.

You’ll see the “building blocks” of that Christian community erected every day when we:

• build a community garden downtown for children in Sunday School
• conduct vibrant and passionate worship three times every Sunday downtown
• grow youth groups and expand programs for youth downtown
• start new partnerships in the Arts with Little Rock Public school children downtown
• forge new relationships with social service agencies, arts/symphony endeavors, and other downtown congregations

No wonder we like to say “Come to First Church…we’re downtown for good!”

Rev. Michael Mattox, Senior Pastor