On May 17, 2001...

Mark and Linda DeYmaz determined to make a difference in the lives of people, the city of Little Rock and the community of Central Arkansas. Against the odds and in a very short time, the work they began has become a beacon of hope in an otherwise still, systemically segregated society. Through the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, Black and White Americans, together with individuals from more than thirty nations, have come together as one. Professionals, white-collar workers, the working middle class and those with limited means have found a home in this unique church for all people. And the collective impact is amazing. Hungry people are being fed. The homeless are being clothed. Prisoners are being visited. The sick are being healed. Communities are being developed. Faith is being revived, hope restored, and love revealed.

Reviving Faith

Not long after arriving in the United States, I visited Mosaic and found people who pursued me with genuine love. Through this church, I have embraced a new faith, met my wife and together we are now serving the needs of others.
Amer Chami, JPMS Cox

Mosaic is truly a church focused on the needs of others, and on reviving faith in those disconnected from individuals who care. In this place, free of distinction, a homeless man is warmly embraced. Helped into rehab, he has been sober for three years and today holds a steady job. A woman finds healing from the wounds of a father who abandoned her family when she was a child. And another turns to God after being physically abused by her husband. She now has hope and prays for him.

Through Mosaic, food and clothing are distributed twice a week to people in need. And tutoring is also provided for Latino young people living in Alexander. In addition, the church provides for immigration counseling and legal services.

With a permanent facility, our church hopes to expand its efforts to include opportunities for economic empowerment, life-skills training and addiction recovery. And we are already involved in helping. The need is great and our church is engaged. And you can help solidify our future.
Inés Velasquez McBryde, Director of Cross-Cultural Ministries at Mosaic

Restoring Hope

Mosaic is a church that is breaking down … barriers and changing our city’s culture. (It’s) influencing a systemic rethinking of things and setting an example that few churches to date have been willing to address.
Mark Pryor - D-AR, United States Senator

Little Rock has indeed come a long way since the events of 1957. Yet sadly, eleven o’clock on Sunday morning remains the most segregated hour in the land. Mosaic, however, is a tribute to those who once dared to dream and an inspiration to those who still do; to those, like Annie Abrams, whose courage and sacrifice laid the foundation for this present future. (.25)

Seeing what’s happening at Mosaic lets me know I can go on to heaven now … my labor has not been in vain.
Annie Abrams, Civil Rights/Community Actrivist, Oral Historian

The church is gaining national attention for its forward thinking in pursuit of cross-cultural competency, and the positive attention is good for Little Rock. Beyond this, entire families like the Li’s, the Ortega’s, the Gray’s and the McBryde’s have moved here just to be a part of the work. At their new facility, the church hopes to open a school of theology and culture ion order to train others for similar work in cities throughout America. With your help, they can do just that. (.25)

The people at Mosaic are great folks and genuinely interested in the people of this community. Their work is well-respected and greatly appreciated by all of us in the University District. At UALR, we consider the church a strong partner and advocate in our efforts to revitalize this area of the city.
Bill Walker, Vice Chancellor of Development, UALR

Revealing Love

My image of God was that of a distant God, a punishing God, someone whose love you had to earn. But then I came to Little Rock and things changed. The people at Mosaic were so passionate and enthusiastic about God, something I had never experienced before.
Angelika Rumpler, UCA graduate (MBA) now living in Austria

From the beginning, Mosaic has been defined by the collective heart of its members and their desire to love others well. The church believes that relationships are essential if individuals are to know and care for one another beyond the distinctions of this world that so often and otherwise divide. Mosaic is creating a context to both express and experience authentic love across traditional divides.

I believe there's a huge gap between what many have experienced through church attendance, and what it actually looks like when people love one another. Mosaic is erasing this gap and modeling a genuine compassion for people, no matter who they are or from where they’ve come.
Jim Banks, Materials Packaging Corp.

Conclusion

Reviving Faith, restoring hope and revealing love … This is the mission of Mosaic. The challenge they’ve embraced is not easy; but it’s good, and it is right. (.15)

Mosaic is a refreshing, faith-based hybrid that reveals love not only to its congregants, but to the broader community while transcending national borders. Personally, I’m thrilled to be a part of this healthy, multi-ethnic, and economically diverse church!
Dr. David Briscoe, Professor of Sociology, UALR

With this in mind, former Mayor of Little Rock, Jim Dailey, recently wrote,

The Faith Community is essential in our efforts to dismantle racism; (and) Mosaic Church, in but a few short years, is already serving as a model for how a church can … celebrate the richness of diversity.

Five years into the journey, Mosaic is recognized increasingly across the country and around the world for the multi-ethnic nature of its work. Closer to home, it is a growing center of life in the heart of south mid-town, Little Rock’s emerging University District. To secure a permanent home at the corner of University and Asher, however, the church will need the personal support and financial backing of individuals in the community who understand the significance of this work.

CLICK HERE to see how you can get involved.