Faith Community and Government Forge Unprecedented Partnership

It’s an ambitious goal: a partnership between the faith community and state government to help families in crisis that is unlike anything the state—or the nation—has seen before. But a meeting in Little Rock outlining the vision was well-attended by an enthusiastic crowd.

The new 10:33 Initiative, launched by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, aims to strengthen support for families in crisis by breaking down long-standing silos between agencies and churches, creating a unified response that offers real, coordinated help when it’s needed most. 

Speaking to a packed room of ministry leaders, community partners, and government officials, Governor Sanders noted that for decades, churches and government agencies have served the same struggling families—but often separately, or even in tension with one another. She acknowledged this gap and spoke openly about the need to “flip the script.”

“There’s never been a great collaboration or partnership between the services the faith community is providing and state government,” she said. “We want to break that. We want to fix that.” 

The 10:33 Initiative will create a streamlined referral system that connects families who are in need to churches, nonprofits, and state resources through a single coordinated platform. This infrastructure helps remove barriers and strengthens communication between people and organizations that want to step in to help, providing key services in a more efficient and effective manner. 

Governor Sanders emphasized that churches are already doing much of this work. Families arrive seeking food, childcare, clothing, and help finding employment—needs that mirror those presented in government offices every day. 

While the initiative is rooted in Arkansas and is in the beginning stages, Governor Sanders expressed her hope that it will become a national model—demonstrating what is possible when faith and government choose collaboration over separation.

“We want to have an impact here in Arkansas but also be a model for the nation of what happens when people of faith step up and work together.”

The governor closed by calling on partners across the state to fully join in the work ahead.

The 10:33 Initiative is beginning its pilot phase in three Arkansas counties: Pulaski, Pope, and Union. “Thank you for the work you’re doing daily in your communities. I hope you will really engage with us in the 10:33 Initiative and help us take it to the next level,” the governor said.