History
The Interfaith Center has roots in the Episcopal Church, interfaith community work, and the historic interfaith movements and programs in Central Arkansas.
The Interfaith Center was founded in 2011 as a program of the Institute for Theological Studies at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock.
In 2010, The Rev. Susan Sims Smith began travelling to India, learning and following a divine call. On a trip to a monastery in the Himalayas, Susan heard a clear call to start an organization focused on reducing the hatred and fear among the world’s religions. She returned to Little Rock and met with The Rev. Chris Keller who had founded ITSSM and who was looking for someone to lead the interfaith efforts of this organization. Susan accepted this role and brought in Sarah Catherine Gutierrez to begin assessing interfaith efforts and interest in Little Rock.
At the same time, Sophia Said, a Muslim woman and student at the Clinton School for Public Service, began her own interfaith efforts in Little Rock, both through the Islamic Center of Little Rock and in the community broadly. Motivated by a troubling dinnertime conversation with her children, Sophia submitted a proposal to the Clinton Global Initiative to build an interfaith youth leadership program. This program grew into the Multi-Faith Youth Group, with notable support from Steve Copeley and Interfaith Arkansas, and was one of many interfaith initiatives and events that Sophia was involved in.
Susan and Sophia met at an interfaith event in 2011 and bonded over a shared call to interfaith work and a connection to the divine through contemplative practices and dream work. Sophia joined efforts with The Interfaith Center at ITSSM, and together, they hosted programs over the next several years including Compassion in Action (now Love Thy Neighbor), an interfaith comedy event called “Laugh in Peace,” interfaith supper clubs, interfaith small groups, Muslim-Christian Dialogue, classes on prayer, faith leader retreats, and interfaith panels and dinners at local congregations.
In 2016, Sophia became the organization’s first full-time Program Director and the center’s main office moved to the newly established Madina Institute. Interfaith Friendship Camp also launched this year, and the Multi-Faith Youth group and other programs continued to grow and develop, including partnerships with LifeQuest and Hendrix College. Community recognition for the organization grew, and Sophia and The Interfaith Center received numerous awards.
In 2019, The Interfaith Center began its transition to becoming an independent organization, not hosted under the auspices of any one religious tradition or congregation. Board members Jerry Adams, Susan Sims Smith, Britt Skarda, Sara Tariq, and Annabelle Imber Tuck were important supporters of this transition.
The organization grew and strengthened, building partnerships with a growing number of congregations in town and developing its volunteer base to run its annual programs including Love Thy Neighbor, Peace Across Faiths, and Friendship Camp. The Interfaith Center also launched its annual Exploring Ideas in the World’s Religions class series in partnership with Dr. Jay McDaniel, Professor Emeritus from Hendrix College.
In the fall of 2021, the Interfaith Center partnered with Catholic Charities to help resettle 16 Afghan families who arrived in the United States after the fall of US supported government in Afghanistan. Many local congregations stepped up to welcome and support these families and continue to do so to this day.
In 2023, Sophia announced her retirement, and The Interfaith Center welcomed The Rev. Patricia Matthews as its next Executive Director, followed by Sarah Hyndman as Program Director in the months to come. Under Patricia and Sarah’s leadership, the organization has moved into its first standalone building at 1616 S. Spring St. and continues to grow its programming and partnerships across the city.
Interfaith Arkansas
A legacy organization and supporter of The Interfaith Center
Interfaith Arkansas traces its origins to a courageous stand against racial segregation in the 1950s. At that time, a municipal ordinance in Little Rock prohibited white and black pastors from meeting together within the city limits. Faith leaders sought an alternative gathering place and found refuge at Camp Aldersgate, then located outside Little Rock’s boundaries. These historic gatherings laid the foundation for what would become the Arkansas Council of Churches.
The Arkansas Council of Churches emerged from these early interracial meetings, fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration among Christian denominations. Under the long tenure of executive director Mimi Dortch, who led for more than thirty years, the organization became a leading voice for social justice and ecumenical cooperation in the state. The council engaged in advocacy efforts, educational initiatives, and community outreach, working to address pressing social issues through the lens of faith.
In November 2013, recognizing the growing need for Interfaith engagement in an increasingly diverse society, the organization adopted a new name: Interfaith Arkansas. This rebranding reflected a broader mission that extended beyond Christian ecumenism to embrace dialogue and collaboration among people of all religious traditions. Under the leadership of the Reverend Stephen Copley, a United Methodist clergyman and former chair of the board of directors, Interfaith Arkansas strengthened its commitment to fostering understanding and peace across faith communities.
Throughout its existence, Interfaith Arkansas organized impactful events that addressed critical social issues and promoted Interfaith solidarity. Programs such as "Creating Anti-Racist Faith Communities" equipped religious leaders and community members with the tools to combat discrimination and injustice. In response to tragic global events, the organization hosted gatherings like "Prayer for Peace after the New Zealand Mosque Killings," providing spaces for communal mourning, reflection, and solidarity.
In 2024, Interfaith Arkansas closed its doors after more than 60 years of service to the community. Though the organization is no longer active, its legacy endures in the relationships it built and the conversations it sparked. Interfaith Arkansas played a crucial role in fostering unity among faith communities, advocating for justice, and promoting peace. Its history stands as a testament to the power of faith in bridging divides and working toward a more inclusive and compassionate society. The board of Interfaith Arkansas has given The Interfaith Center a generous gift to continue this valuable Interfaith work in our community.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Interfaith Arkansas Facebook Page, "Interfaith Efforts for Economic Justice" from the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.