Hope Church emerges as a new community of faith in Little Rock following Immanuel Baptist sexual abuse scandal

The church's interim pastor is current executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Rex Horne (right), is serving as interim pastor of Hope Church, a new congregation of former Immanuel Baptist members, that currently meets at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church. Photos: ABSC.org and phbclr.com

Hope Church has risen from the ashes of controversy, providing a fresh start for former members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., following a scandal that rocked the congregation in recent months, according to a report published in the May 19 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

What began as a Wednesday night Bible study in March resulted in the formation of a new congregation when disenchanted members with ties to Immanuel Baptist gathered together. Rex Horne, the former longtime pastor of Immanuel and the current executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC), serves as the church’s interim pastor. Hope Church meets in Pulaski Heights Baptist Church's facilities located in the “Heights” area of Little Rock.

Steven Smith, Immanuel’s pastor at the time of the scandal, faced accusations of withholding information about child sexual abuse within the congregation. An estimated 400 members left Immanuel during the ensuing controversy before Smith’s resignation in early April.

Hope Church’s first service, held on Mother’s Day, drew more than 200 attendees, the Democrat-Gazette reported. Brenda Holder, interim pastor of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, welcomed the congregation, emphasizing the importance of community.

A photo was posted on Facebook of the new Hope Church congregation following its first service on Mother’s Day.

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