Linking the Community to God’s Family

The Bible often uses agricultural references in historical accounts, and Jesus used several such metaphors to illustrate the Kingdom of God. Pastor David Willis of Link Church in Clarksville, Arkansas, a third-generation family farmer, understands those references well.

Willis’ grandparents, Levi and Aleta Willis, started the family farm. They entered the poultry business in the 1970’s, raising turkeys. After changes in the processing industry in 2021, the family switched to raising chickens for Tyson Company. Willis’ father, Larry, passed away in 2020, but he and his brother Michael have continued the operation. In addition to 17 large poultry houses growing flocks of 430,000 five times yearly—well over 2 million chickens—the 1,000-acre farm has a herd of approximately 300 cattle.

In 2007, Willis began serving as youth pastor at Fernwood Assembly of God in nearby Hartmann, Arkansas, and became senior pastor in 2012 when Eddie Birdsong accepted another ministry position. As the congregation grew, the building was remodeled to accommodate a larger sanctuary and fellowship hall, but around 2015, God began showing Willis the need to focus on true discipleship using a family style model.

He recalls a revelatory moment, humorously appropriate for a poultry farmer, when a Kentucky Fried Chicken box slogan, “It’s not just good; it’s finger-lickin’ good,” led to the thought, “It’s not just a church, it’s a family.” That inspiration led to rebranding as Link Church.

Numbers dwindled in 2020, but picked up again in 2021, and leadership began thinking of expanding to nearby Clarksville, the county seat and community of around 10,000. The church remodeled a Clarksville storefront and began holding two Sunday services. Experiencing growth and nearing the end of their lease, Willis reached out to the owner of a movie theater that was for sale. Although the church’s budget was less than the asking price, the offer was accepted, and another business owner gave a good price on surrounding land to allow for future growth.

After remodeling, the congregation moved to the facility for Easter in 2023. The first Sunday attendance was more than double the storefront average of 200, and the team wondered if the excitement would wear off, but growth continued. Average attendance is now approximately 800, with many being saved every month.

Along with increased visibility in Clarksville, the church began partnering with recovery ministries in the area, including Next Step and Stepping Stones, as well as Safe Haven, a women’s crisis center.

It’s a win-win, as Willis and others have been able to hire farm workers while providing those in recovery an opportunity to start rebuilding their lives and references for future employment. Several local area officials, including the area DHS director, some city officials and law enforcement, now attend Link Church and help encourage those in recovery.

Probation officer Paul Etzkorn, who discovered Link Church when speaking on behalf of a client at a recovery graduation, is now a church member.

“I have noticed positive changes in so many people, clients mostly,” says Etzkorn. “Most clients are afraid of law enforcement after being on the wrong side most of their lives. Being their probation or parole officer and a fellow churchgoer is not the norm, I promise, but most come freely to me about issues they may be facing. The willingness of Pastor David to work with these young men and women and help them rebuild their lives is admirable.”

Etzkorn also appreciates the warmth and welcome for his own family. After he and his wife began attending, their kids got involved, including a 23-year-old son who is physically disabled. “Church members reached out to him,” says Etzkorn, “and he decided of his own accord that he wanted to be baptized in the church.”

Willis’ cousin, Evangel University graduate Robert Willis, serves on the church staff and has helped facilitate a discipleship program for congregants. Using a similar program model, the church hosts recovery meetings including Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Celebrate Recovery. Fruit is becoming evident as county-wide addiction and recidivism numbers are dropping.

In addition to the family concept, Willis says the church is inspired by a mentor’s question, “What would happen if your church was not in the community?”

Link Church helps with school events, provides meals for sports teams, and hosts a fall festival. They also coordinate an annual community SuperChurch event, hosting a Super Bowl party with worship and a salvation message during the game’s halftime; 84 people have accepted Christ at the event over the last five years. The church has campus ministry at nearby University of the Ozarks, and the high school softball team is using the church’s decorated lobby for their 2024 Christmas party.

Arkansas District Superintendent Ronnie Morris says he personally experienced the feeling of connection as a guest speaker for a recent Fire Night, a series of services focusing on different themes. After teaching about the Holy Spirit, Morris observed the caring and well-trained altar ministry team as they prayed with people, with many receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

“I think the longevity of the pastor in the area, including connection with people who farm or work in poultry processing, is bearing fruit,” says Morris. “Pastor David is no-nonsense, but watching him interact with people, it is so obvious he genuinely cares. The church communicates confidence that those in recovery can succeed, and the community can break free from generational poverty, the occult, and other long-held problems.”

Link Church now has locations in the area communities of Lavaca and Oark. The network relationship helps with practicalities such as insurance, but each campus pastor has flexibility to tailor the ministry to the needs of the community.

Asked how it all comes together with farm responsibilities, church duties, and community connections, Willis responds that it’s definitely a team effort. He credits his family. His wife, Brittany, keeps things organized, and his cousin, Robbie, does many necessary meetings and appointments. This allows Willis the flexibility for meeting with people as needed while also helping his brother supervise the farm and relationships with workers. Associate Pastor Mike Mize oversees facilities and maintenance, serving as general contractor for remodeling projects. Willis’ mom, Jerri, keeps active since her husband’s death by helping manage the household and getting Willis’ and his wife’s daughters Carley, 18, and Allie, 15, and son Samuel, 13, to their activities.

Reflecting on the growth of Link Church, Willis sums up the ministry values as helping people experience the supernatural through God’s provision and miracles; making it more than church but also a family; and providing the opportunity to do things together, not alone.