In many Arkansas towns, churches stand as the eldest continuously operating institutions- serving not only as places of worship but also as anchors of public service and community support. The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute’s Civic Arkansan Credential is designed to harness the unique influences of churches, both large and small, by encouraging congregations to reflect on how their shared values shape their role in the broader community. Through values exploration and education on how to engage in civil conversations across differences, this initiative invites faith communities to think expansively about the impact they can have when values guide their civic engagement. Whether that means voting, volunteering, participating in local meetings, or even bridging political divides to strengthen civic health in local communities.
“As Mayor of Wrightsville, a graduate of the Clinton School of Public Service, and a youth pastor, I’ve had the unique privilege of seeing the Civic Arkansan Credential workshop come to life. This workshop is more than just a training — it’s a transformative experience that equips everyday Arkansans with the tools to lead with purpose and a heart for service. I’ve watched participants walk away empowered, informed, and ready to be catalysts for change. It bridges faith, public service, and civic engagement in a way that’s deeply relevant to communities like ours.”
Derrick Rainey, Mayor of Wrightsville, Arkansas
Through the partnership with the Town Square Collaborative, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute has been able to help fund a workshop.
Learn more about that below.
Testimonies to follow soon!
The Civic Arkansan Credential workshop is a core part of the Town Square Collaborative, a statewide effort to bring community, municipal, and faith leaders together across Arkansas. Through this workshop, the Institute works to strengthen civic life in rural communities by helping people better understand their role in shaping the places they call home. It reflects the Institute’s broader mission to equip Arkansans with practical tools, shared language, and the confidence to create positive, lasting change in their communities.
“Every citizen has the duty to be informed, to be thoughtfully concerned, and to participate in the search for solutions. Only by working together can we make the contribution necessary to build the world we all yearn for.”
Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller