​Rev. Sara Bayles Charlton is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with degrees in political science, religious studies, women's studies, and honors interdisciplinary studies. Pastor Sara went on to earn her Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School with a certificate in Women, Theology, and Ministry as well as a training in Marriage and Family counseling. During her time at Duke, Pastor Sara was a Divinity Fellow serving large church learning placements in Indianapolis and Charleston, South Carolina.

As a proud alumni of Duke Divinity, Pastor Sara serves on their National Alumni Council. Within the Arkansas Conference, she serves as chair of the Committee on the Status and Role of Women as well as the Committee on Communications and is a past Convener of the Arkansas United Methodist Clergywomen. Currently, Pastor Sara serves on the board of the UALR Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Campus Ministry at ULAR. ​

During the pandemic, Pastor Sara and her husband, Patrick, foster dogs and are now a two dog household. Pastor Sara's hobbies include gardening, birding, knitting, searching out local farmer's markets, and enjoying day trips around Arkansas. Some of Pastor Sara's favorite moments are drinking coffee, and having conversations that further the Kingdom of God. 

One of her favorite parts of our Wesleyan theological heritage is that our tradition embodies the wisdom, grace, and fiery love of God that began a revival in the Epworth kitchen of Susanna Wesley. Pastor believes the best days are yet to come for the people of the Arkansas United Methodist Church as we continue to grow in God's grace to be Christ's love made real in our communities during a pivotal time in our shared lives. The best way to contact Pastor Sara in the coming days is by email at [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook.