Union County Leaders Share Vision for New 10:33 Initiative

Community leaders, pastors, and partners gathered at El Dorado First Assembly to discuss the newly-launched 10:33 Initiative, a statewide pilot program to lift Arkansans out of poverty by uniting government agencies, community partners, and the local church. Union County is one of three pilot sites in Arkansas selected for the first year of the initiative. The other two counties are Pulaski and Pope.

Tyler Turner of the United Way of Union County opened by describing the deep culture of collaboration in Union County — something he says is baked into the identity of the region. Turner emphasized that any success he has as a leader is the result of “a thousand yeses” from churches, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and volunteers who consistently show up when families are in need.

“There is no call I make, or text, or email that isn’t answered with yes, across the board. This is in the DNA of our community," said Turner.  

He noted that while poverty and division certainly exist, Union County’s instinct to work together makes it uniquely positioned to demonstrate what the 10:33 Initiative can achieve.

Pastor Daniel Egger of El Dorado First Assembly shared why faith communities are central to the vision of the 10:33 Initiative. He told the audience that serving vulnerable people is a core biblical command. 

“Benevolence isn’t just a side project of the church, it’s actually a central mission of God. We’ve outsourced charity for too long. That was never God’s intention,” Egger said.  

He emphasized that collaboration across denominations is essential and that the 10:33 Initiative creates a structure where churches can return to their role as leaders in community care.

Paul Chapman, Executive Director of Restore Hope, spoke about the origin of the state’s collective impact model and why no single agency can meet the complex needs of a family in crisis. He described how families often face overlapping challenges — substance abuse, transportation barriers, suspended driver’s licenses, lack of income, unstable housing — and require many services in the right order, not just a referral to one program.

“No one organization can help someone navigate through all of that to get from crisis to career. You need connections with many different experts in a sequence that makes sense,” noted Chapman. He likened collective impact to building a house: there needs to be a builder that coordinates the electricians, plumbers, and other contractors. If not, the right help will not come at the right time. 

Morgan Warbington, who leads Governor Sanders’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said the goal of the 10:33 Initiative is to make this the new normal in state government — a “no wrong door” approach where any agency encountering someone in crisis can refer them into the 10:33 Initiative network for coordinated help.

“Communities were built around their churches. You know your community way better than the state does,” Warbington told the community. 

Matt Whitson of Arkansas Family Alliance described how the CarePortal platform will help churches step into the 10:33 work by meeting practical needs quickly — often preventing a crisis from escalating. He shared stories of simple needs, like beds for children or a $5 spark plug, that prevented families from losing stability — and even prevented unnecessary foster care removals.

“This is not a government crisis or a church crisis. It’s a community crisis. The church can lead the way,” he said.  

Whitson emphasized that the goal is not just meeting needs but forming lasting relationships. “We’re hoping families have some new friends that will stick after the professionals are gone.” 

State partners, churches, nonprofit leaders, and local advocates will work together to demonstrate what becomes possible when community collaboration replaces silos. Warbington said she feels confident that progress will be made. “We have a year to prove this concept. I know it will work.” 

She added that the 10:33 Initiative gives the county a powerful new way to organize and accelerate what it has always done best: take care of its people.