EAST SIDE IS FOR EVERYONE
TO ENCOUNTER JESUS
AND EXPERIENCE LIFE
Welcome to East Side! We are a church for everyone to encounter Jesus and experience life! At East Side, you'll find opportunities to connect to other people and to God at every stage of life. If you're thinking about visiting for the first time, join us on a Sunday morning at 10:30am! We can't wait to see you!
-Ryan Scantling
Lead Pastor
Where We Live
Fort Smith, Arkansas sits along the Arkansas River at the western edge of the state, right on the border with Oklahoma. With quick access to I-40 and I-49, it’s easy to connect to Fayetteville, Little Rock, or Tulsa while still enjoying everything Fort Smith itself has to offer.
This city blends opportunity with community. You’ll find strong schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors—from scenic trails and parks to fishing and kayaking on the river. History runs deep here too, with rich cultural sites, museums, and a revitalized downtown full of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Living in Fort Smith means enjoying the best of both worlds—the convenience of a city with the welcoming feel of a small town. It’s a place where people plant roots, raise families, and enjoy a slower pace without missing out on growth and opportunity.
Where We Serve
East Side is for everyone—to encounter Jesus and experience life. East Side Baptist Church+1 When you join our team, you become part of that inclusive, mission-driven community. We want every person who serves to help others connect with Christ, deepen relationships, and live out their calling.
Our staff culture is built on shared values of unity, encouragement, and servant leadership. We don’t just run programs—we partner together in the mission of Gather, Grow, Go: gathering to worship, growing in community, and going on mission into the world. East Side Baptist Church
Here’s what serving at East Side looks like:
You’ll use your gifts in meaningful ways to reach people at every stage of life—kids, students, adults, women, men. East Side Baptist Church
You’ll be part of a church that’s committed to the Gospel, committed to growth (both numerical and spiritual), and committed to advancing God’s kingdom in Fort Smith. East Side Baptist Church
You’ll get to see lives changed—people encountering Jesus, building community, and being sent out into mission.
We’re not just building church programs. We’re making disciples and partnering with God in bringing life change.