Arkansas

Evangelist Luis Palau drew more than 55,000 people this past weekend during his two-day CityFest that capped off a massive Christian community service campaign.

The crowd gathered at the North Shore Riverwalk to celebrate the success of the Season of Service in Central Arkansas. The Season of Service is a new component of Palau festivals that calls on local Christians to serve their community in the months preceding the actual evangelistic festival.

For the Central Arkansas festival, the Season of Service campaign began in July and included service projects that addressed homelessness, hunger, health and wellness, education, literacy, neighborhood revitalization, and families in need. more >>

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas pastors may soon have to worry about more than their flocks' spiritual battles. After a number of shootings in churches nationwide, should congregants be allowed to bring concealed weapons into their sanctuaries?

Under current Arkansas law, holders of concealed weapons permits can take their guns anywhere they want except bars and houses of worship. A bill in the state Senate would let churches decide for themselves whether weapons should be allowed.

"I believe it would disturb the sanctity and tranquility of church" said Pastor John Phillips, a bill opponent who was shot twice in the back as he finished a service 23 years ago. If a church opts out, "Do you want ushers to stop you at the door and frisk you?" more >>

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Oval Office replica at the Clinton Presidential Library is there to give visitors a look at what they'd see if they could get inside the working area of the White House. For the next several months, the view comes with some horsepower.

The center's new "Art of the Chopper" exhibit displays 30 gleaming, handcrafted motorcycles from around the country. That may be a curious choice for a presidential library, but it reflects American culture in the late 20th century, which Clinton center director Terri Garner says is part of the museum's mission.

"Just as (Bill Clinton) defines the end of the 20th century, so does the chopper," Garner said. more >>

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A group that advocates separation of church and state asked the Internal Revenue Service on Friday to investigate an Arkansas pastor who endorsed GOP presidential candidate John McCain from the pulpit this week.

Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State complained that Bishop Robert Smith, pastor of the Word of Outreach Christian Center in Little Rock, violated federal tax law when he told worshippers during a sermon: "I will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin."

Smith's sermon was aimed at fighting an Internal Revenue Service policy that prohibits charities and churches from involvement in political campaigns. Smith even used the threat of losing the church's tax-exempt status as a fundraising tool before passing the offering basket Sunday. more >>

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - In a predominantly black church in a city known for its past racial strife, Bishop Robert Smith is taking sides. His targets: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and federal restrictions barring Smith's endorsement of Republican John McCain.

At the end of a recent sermon, Smith told about 50 worshippers at his Word of Outreach Christian Center: "I will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin."

Smith, who is black, said neighbors and friends have questioned why he isn't backing Obama, the first black presidential nominee from a major party. more >>