Damascus Missionary Baptist Church presented a gift of $8,040 to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The donation was given during the 2025 Homecoming Alumni Assembly at the Kenneth L. Johnson Sr. Health Physical Education and Recreation Complex.
“This year’s gift builds on the church’s consistent giving history — $2,000 annually since 2017 — further strengthening its long-standing relationship with the university,” according to a news release.
The pastor, the Rev. LaVara Henry, a 1982 graduate of UAPB, recently sent a letter to the membership, encouraging support for Dear Mother (UAPB). In the letter, Henry reminded members that Damascus is rooted in love, faith, family and fellowship, and that giving back to the university is an extension of that faith in action.
“The response, which was generous and immediate, has long shown that the church is not just a building or denomination; it is a body of believers united by faith, fellowship and service,” Henry said. “Since its founding in December 1900, the congregation has devoted itself to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, to prayer, and to proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.”
The names of the donors who contributed are the Rev. LaVara and Brenda Henry, Lurie and Dorothy Anderson, Nicole Anderson, Thaddeus and Tiffany Arnold, Emma Banister, Terrie Banister, Bobbie Bridges, Eunice Brooks, Sheila Brown, Dr. Vera Lang Brown, A.C. and Luvertha Butler, Esther Coleman, Quranner Cotledge, Joan Crater, Yvonne Dancy, Charlene Dyson, Geneva Eatmon, Bianca Eatmon, Milton and Princella Gardner, Jarvis and LaShell Hale, Angelisa Henry, DeShunda Henry, Dorothy Holt, Marcus Holloway, Florentine Humphrey, Virgina Huphrey-Gulley, Dr. Edith Hyman, Freddie Jenkins, Otis and Andrea Johnson, Sierra Johnson, Charles and Eula Lusk, Rodney Mays, Patricia Riley, Dominique Sanders, Lillian Wilson, and Raven Wilson.
Located at 224 N. Cypress St. — just 2.2 miles from UAPB — Damascus stands as a spiritual and community neighbor to UAPB.
“Through Pastor Henry’s leadership and the congregation’s unwavering commitment, Damascus continues to live out its calling to serve not only through worship but through meaningful community outreach and educational support,” according to the release.