Baker Kurrus: faith in action Asbury UMC lay leader bids for spot as mayor of Arkansas’ largest city
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BY CALEB HENNINGTON Digital Content Editor
aker Kurrus has alway been interested in helping others through leadership. As the lay leader of Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock, his main goal is to lead others in the congregation in what it means to be a servant of Jesus Christ and to keep the church together by building bridges between people. His leadership prowess and heart for teaching is also what ultimately led him to serving 14 months as the superintendent of the Little Rock School District. Although the district has gone through a number of hardships in the past few years, many residents of Little Rock, including Kurrus, believe that all hope is not lost; there’s still time to fix the problems. So, it came as no surprise to many who know Kurrus that he chose to run for the open position of Little Rock mayor in the November election. Little Rock’s current mayor, Mark Stodola, is stepping down after more than 10 years in the position, and a new crop of leaders from all walks of life have chosen to enter the race and offer up to the city what they think are the best plans for improving not only the education system, but the livelihood of neighborhoods around the city as well. Kurrus was gracious enough to allow the Arkansas United Methodist to sit down with him at his campaign headquarters for an interview covering not only his bid for the mayoral position, but his journey with faith and what it means to be a United Methodist member, as well. Editor’s Note: The Arkansas United Methodist: Living Our Faith -- and by extension the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church -- does not endorse Baker Kurrus for mayor of the city of Little Rock. The magazine, as well as the Conference office, exists as an unbiased entity in the realm of local, state and national politics. 11
ARKANSAS UNITED METHODIST
