This year, the Yarbers celebrate a milestone anniversary of ministering at Lonoke Baptist Church, Miller County and across Southwest Arkansas for the past 50 years. The Yarbers first began their ministry at Lonoke Baptist Church when it had just a few dozen members, but now the congregation boasts over 600 worshipers each Sunday. Reverend Yarber is also currently serving as Moderator of the Southwest District Association, a position he has held for the past 12 years.

Reverend Yarber is a native of Ashdown, Arkansas, and a graduate of the United Theological Seminary School in Monroe, Louisiana. Soon after Seminary, Reverend Yarber began his life’s work of giving back to his community by nourishing and strengthening a church family that has literally changed and impacted countless lives for a half century.

The Yarbers’ service does not end at the church steps as they continue to contribute throughout the state of Arkansas to enhance the world for so many. Reverend Yarber was the first African American to serve on the Texarkana, Arkansas School Board. The couple is also active with the Arkansas Voter Registration Committee, the Miller County NAACP, the Civil Service Commission of the Arkansas State Police, and through their ministries in the Arkansas Prison System, among many others.

I am deeply honored to recognize one family’s tremendous faith and devotion towards making our world a better place to live. Reverend C.K. Yarber and Inez Yarber have spent their lifetime together reaching out and teaching youth, adults and seniors alike about the positive healing influence faith can have on a person’s life. The vision and work of this couple is remarkable and I congratulate them for reaching this 50 year mark and for the countless contributions they have made to our society through their steadfast ministries and selfless outreach. I am proud of their service and I am honored to call them my friends.