During the daily COVID-19 press briefings, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and state officials introduce the latest infection data, modeling statistics, unemployment claims and other information that helps keep the public up-to-date on the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, April 10, Hutchinson threw the crowd a curveball by introducing Dr. Rex Horne Jr. to the podium for a brief message.
Horne, the president of Baptist Preparatory School, stepped up to the podium and offered a smile before addressing the crowd in a rich baritone. He said that Easter is a period that encourages reflection for individuals, allowing them to contemplate the changes going on in the world and around them.
“It’s a time for me for reflection. I think a lot about Easter’s past, even when I was a boy in a small frame church in northern Louisiana with Big Mama and Big Poppa. I think about the years of my home in south Arkansas in Camden and Cullendale, and our church there at Easter,” he said.
Throughout his life, Easter has been a touchstone for Horne, both as a believer and as a preacher. Part of Easter’s power, he said, is its annual ritual that is comforting and familiar. However, that familiarity has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has changed the manner in which Easter services can be conducted.
“Easter – there’s nothing like it. It’s the largest crowd of the year, the family gatherings, the things that we do, and we reflect. This year is not going to be that way,” Horne said.
In recent weeks, churches and other places of worship have adapted to social distancing and other limitations imposed by the COVID-19 crisis. These institutions have embraced new technologies, such as livestreaming, and have held parking lot gatherings.
“We’ve learned that you can worship through live-streaming. You can have Bible studies through Zoom,” he said. “We’ve learned some terms like “social distancing” and “flattening the curve” and things that are different to our vocabulary. We’ll look back on Easter’s past, and we’ll be grateful.”
Throughout Arkansas, individuals have experienced doubts and uncertainties prompted by the ongoing crisis. It’s a situation that Horne said has caused despair in some cases. Despite this despair, he said that there is reason to be hopeful. Using Biblical Scripture, Horne told the crowd that the COVID-19 crisis, while a pressing matter, will eventually subside, allowing Arkansans to return to their normal walk of life.
“In our state, we know that there are many people who are sick, there are many who are unemployment, who are concerned financially, that are emotionally concerned…”
“Not only is Easter a time of reflection but anticipation. So, today I would encourage us all to remember that Sunday follows Friday. Friday was a day of crucifixion but Sunday was a day of resurrection.”
READ MORE: Arkansas Churches Taking New Approaches for Easter Sunday Services