CONWAY, AR (August 26, 2025) – The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas (MFA) has awarded a $15,000 gift to Conway First United Methodist Church to support the launch of LifeQuest at Conway, a new satellite campus of LifeQuest of Arkansas, the state’s largest educational nonprofit serving older adults.
“We are extremely honored to be a partner with LifeQuest and Hendrix College for such an important and vital ministry which will foster community among older adults in Conway. The Methodist Foundation’s support is key in making the launch of LifeQuest at Conway a possibility,” said Rev. Nathan Kilbourne, Senior Pastor at Conway First United Methodist Church, the host site of LifeQuest at Conway.
“Active, engaged seniors make valuable contributions to a healthy community, and community health is one of the eleven priorities that guide our grant-making program at MFA,” said Rev. J. Wayne Clark, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “LifeQuest at Conway brings three wonderful organizations together to offer the city's older adults new and meaningful opportunities, and the Foundation is glad to support this partnership.”
LifeQuest’s fall term runs September 15 – November 11, with Conway classes held on Mondays at First UMC, 1610 Prince Street, Conway. Classes are also held in Little Rock at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Church in Little Rock, and online classes may be attended from anywhere.
Courses cover a wide range of engaging topics, taught by volunteer instructors, and are designed to keep older adults socially connected and intellectually engaged. Registration is now open at lifequestofarkansas.org. The $85 registration fee provides access to all LifeQuest classes—in Conway, Little Rock, or online.
With Arkansas’ population of adults over 65 nearing 540,000, and with more than a quarter of Arkansans projected to be age 60+ by 2030, programs like LifeQuest play a vital role in promoting healthy longevity and active aging.
As Dr. Karen Petersen, President of Hendrix College said: “Demand for quality educational opportunities will continue to increase as we live longer, healthier lives. At its core, liberal arts education is about creating curious lifelong learners, making our partnership with FUMC and LifeQuest a natural extension of what we do on campus every day. We are proud to join our neighbors in making Conway an even better place to live for all.”
“Registrations are pouring in for the nine classes we’re offering in this inaugural Conway term,” said Leah Greenfield, Executive Director of LifeQuest of Arkansas. “We’re thrilled to see such enthusiasm from the Conway community. LifeQuesters are active, social, and intellectually curious—a perfect fit for the Conway community.”
About the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
With a mission to establish and manage charitable funds to strengthen and expand Methodist ministries across Arkansas, the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas manages over $220 million in endowment funds and other charitable assets that benefit local churches and other United Methodist ministries. Founded in 1963, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest United Methodist foundations in the country, managing more than 800 funds that support Methodist ministries. To learn more, visit methodistfoundationAR.org.
The Foundation makes grants in areas including clergy and lay leadership, hunger relief, children’s ministries, seminary scholarships, outdoor ministries, and more—all while helping donors create charitable endowments that strengthen Methodist ministries for generations to come.
About LifeQuest of Arkansas
Founded in 1981, LifeQuest of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to lifelong learning, volunteerism, and social engagement for older adults. Supported by more than 20 interfaith congregations, LifeQuest is nonsectarian and welcomes all. Courses are non-credit, with no tests or grades—learning is for the joy of it.
LifeQuest is a proud affiliate of Aging Forward (formerly Shepherd’s Centers of America), a national network of organizations empowering older adults to age with meaning and purpose.
