The home of Mission Arlington^® in the early days.

Mission Arlington^® turned 40-years-old on August 1st.

Growth through the Years

Over time, our ministry has grown. From a small office to our current campus, from one apartment Bible study to over 350 congregations, from hundreds of people helped each week to over 600 people a day.

The Heart Has Never Changed

Yet, through every season, the heart of our work has stayed constant. We believe ourselves to be ordinary people who live and work in a most extraordinary community. From the beginning, our desire has been to share God’s love, to treat all people with dignity and respect, and to provide authentic help to people in need.

Tillie, our Executive Director, has been here since the very first day.

Every Life Matters

Our annual reports demonstrate the ministry reach of our work, and the numbers often represent a volume of people.  Yet, we still call ourselves a “ministry of ones.”  We believe that every person matters to God, and therefore that every person should matter to us.

The testimony’s we hear touch us deeply. The following comments were posted to our latest FACEBOOK communication:

•  “You have always been there when my family was in need.” Another lady expresses a similar sentiment:
• “Thank you Jesus for Mission Arlington.  I have had needs and wants met there plus prayers answered.” A third comment on a recent post said:
• “Thank you for providing for our needs. . . a long time ago.”  Another woman made this comment:
• “Thank you for your help about 25 years ago. Now I am a homeowner.  You helped so much.”

We are so grateful for you.

You have walked this journey with us every step of the way.  Together, we have made an authentic, perhaps even life-long, difference for the people in our community experiencing a crisis.

As we have said from the beginning, this ministry belongs to God.  We believe it also belongs to you, for you have been the hands and feet of our Lord every single day.

All Glory to God!  We look forward to the years ahead. Thank you for walking the journey with us.

Craft time at our “Kiddie Camp” for K-3rd grade. 180 students attended this 2.5-hour camp on Tuesday evening, July 7th.

Summer Camps at Mission Arlington^®

Each summer, Mission Arlington hosts six (6) Christ-centered camps designed to share the gospel and disciple children and youth in a meaningful, personal way. Our youngest campers attend “Kiddie Camp,” where children in kindergarten through 3rd grade are introduced to the love of Christ through Bible stories, Scripture memory, music, crafts, and engaging activities.

986 students attended these camps last year.

Age-Appropriate Venues

For our 4th–6th graders, we host two special camps at Camp Thurman, where the beauty of God’s creation provides the backdrop for a day filled with fellowship, recreation, and clear, age-appropriate teaching from God’s Word. Later in July, our youth gather for an evening of worship, biblical teaching, and connection, creating space for students to reflect on their faith and respond to God’s call in their lives.

Two young friends, posing for the camera, after a fun activity at our first “Kiddie Camp.”

More than Outdoor Fun

At the heart of each camp is a desire to see lives transformed by the gospel. These gatherings are not just events, but opportunities for children and students to hear truth, experience genuine Christian community, and take steps of faith—many for the very first time.

Through intentional teaching, caring relationships, and the work of the Holy Spirit, seeds are planted that we trust will bear fruit for years to come. In a world filled with distractions, these moments set apart for the Lord allow young hearts to encounter Him in a real and lasting way. Every camper is welcomed, cared for, and provided a meal, reflecting the love of Christ in both word and action.

Gratitude for your Support

None of this would be possible without the faithful volunteers who serve as teachers, mentors, and encouragers throughout each camp. Their investment is eternal, as they point the next generation toward Christ and walk alongside them in their spiritual journey. We are grateful to be a part of what God is doing and prayerfully anticipate the continued impact of these summer camps in the lives of those we serve. We love the opportunity we have each summer to host these camps, and we are always so appreciative of your faithful support.

Summer Programs

During these warm summer days, you just may hear laughter echoing across an apartment courtyard as children gather in a circle. If you slow down for a look, you may see a volunteer kneeling beside a small table, helping a child finish a colorful craft.

While, just a few steps away, a group bursts into cheers during a game. Soon, everyone quiets down, listening closely as a Bible story is shared—some hearing these truths for the very first time.

Meaningful Moments

Scenes like this are unfolding all across our community, five days a week, all summer long. In neighborhoods throughout our city, our teams are bringing simple but meaningful moments to children and families—moments filled with joy, creativity, and connection. Each day includes games, snacks, crafts, and stories that point to the love of Christ.

Seeds of Hope

What may seem like an ordinary summer activity is often something much deeper. Relationships are being formed. Trust is being built. Children are discovering that they are seen, valued, and loved. And in the middle of the laughter and learning, seeds of hope are being planted—seeds that we pray will grow for years to come.

Come join us!

We are grateful for the constant support of this wonderful community.  Come join us!

Ladies gathered for a meal, after worship, on a day dedicated to a “mom’s night out” on Friday, May 8th.

A Treasured Evening

On the Friday before Mother’s Day (May 8th), the room was full — with nearly 300 women gathered not to serve, organize, or care for others, but simply to be cared for.  While children laughed and played – at home with their dads, or in a Mission Arlington^® childcare (run by dads), these women lifted their voices in worship, shared a meal prepared just for them, and received something many rarely experience: an evening of rest.

Most nights, these women are the ones making the meals, managing the schedules, and carrying the quiet weight of caring for others.  But one evening, everything was different. The kids were cared for.  The responsibilities were set aside. And 310 women gathered to be refreshed, encouraged, and reminded that they are deeply valued – and not just from the Mission Arlington^® family, but from the Lord Himself.

At the core of our calling is the desire to “share God’ love” with everyone we meet, and to do it in practical ways.  That’s why nights like this matter, because these ladies are often the ones who give the most and receive the least. On the Friday before Mother’s Day, 310 women stepped aside from their daily responsibilities to worship, to eat, to rest, and to be served – many for the first time in a long time.

There is something profoundly beautiful about this night.  A sanctuary filled with the sound of women’s voices lifted in praise; an encouraging message from a trusted pastor & friend; a beautifully cooked meal, served in a creatively decorated space, and so much more.  Smiles, laughter, and hugs were everywhere, and it was so much fun.

The Mission Arlington family can provide experiences like this, because we are surrounded by a wonderful community who constantly lifts us up in prayer, and surrounds us with such loving support.

We are grateful for the privilege we have of serving the Lord in this amazing community.  We wish everyone a “Happy Mother’s Day!”

What does “Spring Break” mean to you?

When people attempt to describe “Spring Break,” the image of crowded vacations at popular beaches may come to mind.  Words like “play,” “fun,” or “relax” capture the popular imagination.

Spring Break originated in academics. Schools from every level recognized that students do better academically when they are well-rested.  The week of Spring Break varies in the DFW area, so Mission Arlington’s Spring Break season lasts for several weeks.

What Spring Break Looks Like at Mission Arlington^®

Students come here from all across the United States, and from multiple Texas cities. Church groups from across the denominational spectrum give their vacation time to make a difference in the lives of others. Individuals, families, friends, and groups of all sizes & shapes give their time sacrificially during Spring Break to make a difference here.

This week, we have more than 750 groups a day who are serving here. They are leading Rainbow Express^®, doing work projects, supporting our Bible studies & congregations.

An Invitation from Above

You may not know this, but Mission Arlington^® does not market, promote, or otherwise push for any of these groups to come.  We often say to the young people, “We did not invite you to come.”  We pause for a minute to let that sink in, then quickly follow with “But God did invite you to come, and there is no higher invitation.” We truly believe that the Lord has sent every individual, family, and student group here to serve.  What a beautiful difference volunteers can make.

Come see us!

If you have some time off during these weeks of Spring break, drop by to see us.  Some folks are jumping in to lend a helping hand.  Others are just coming by to catch up, to drop off supplies, or to help out in some way.  Your positive spirit and your encouragement always make a difference here, and especially, your prayers.

We are so grateful that we get to walk this journey with you – all year long, but especially at Spring Break.

A Clear Vision

Martin Luther King, Jr. saw so clearly the ways that serving together could overcome barriers and help to unite a community.  In his 1968 sermon called “The Drum Major Instinct,” he said famously that “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

When people serve side by side with a common goal, like we did this past Monday, we served as one family, bonded together by what unites us, rather than any differences we might have.  We lived out in practice what the Arlington MLK Team envisioned for this day: “a journey towards unity.”

A Major Force

Hundreds of you showed up. You came on your own. You came with a friend, with your team, with your teachers, and more.  588 people registered directly for the Zeb Strong Day of Service through the Arlington MLK Team. And hundreds more registered with Mission Arlington^® directly.  Altogether 750 volunteers arrived at our door sometime on Monday morning.

The work these volunteers did together was amazing. Many helped in our food pantries and clothing room.  Many more helped us move Christmas toys into position for next year’s store.

A Unified Spirit

There was a positive, energetic, and unifying Spirit about the day, which was almost indefinable, yet evident in a large way through the service in common purpose of so many people.  It’s more than just a truism.

“Together we really can do more together.

Thank you so much.

“At Christmas, God Steps into Our Story”

A Bustling, Beautiful Season

The Christmas season at Mission Arlington^® was a flurry of activity, which made a significant difference in the lives of ordinary people. The list below represents some of what happened at Christmas Time.

• Adopt a Family – Different people and multiple teams adopted specific families, and the Mission connects those families in need to the ones providing the gifts.
• Angel Trees – Instead of adopting a specific family, various teams decide to provide gifts for a specific number of children. The Mission family connects the children to those gifts.
• Bike Deliveries – The parade of bikes (put together by the wonderful people at Bikes for Mission Arlington) happened again this year on the Saturday before Christmas. The Mission family delivered bikes to children whose parents have requested them.
• Christmas Store – a place where parents hear the Christmas Story in their own language and shop for Christmas gifts for their children.
• Church Services – Children’s Christmas plays, Christmas Eve services, Advent Candles, Christmas parties and so much more, were all part of the fun.

2025 Christmas Store Results

The free Christmas Store happened over 9 days this year.  Our community provides the gifts. Parents from Arlington & Grand Prairie listen to the Christmas Story, then choose gifts for their children. The gifts are wrapped, and lots of love is shared all along the way. The list below represents some of the results from the Christmas Store:

• 7,798 families received gifts (32,983 people).
• 4,000 bikes were delivered.
• 956 adults made a spiritual decision of some kind.
• 279 adults asked Christ to save them.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was the only day all year that Mission Arlington^® closes. We will worship our Lord together, celebrate with families, eat good food, read the Christmas Story, and share gifts.

We enjoyed all of the festivities, but we won’t ever forget the true meaning of this beautiful season – the God sent His son, Jesus, to become a child, born to working class parents in the humblest of settings.

The Message Bible paraphrases John 1:14 in this way:  “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes.”  Indeed, it isn’t that we step into God’s story at Christmas so much as it is that God stepped into ours. 

We are grateful to walk together with you in this new year!

It’s December in Texas. The weather isn’t quite “frightful,” as the song goes, but it has turned quite a bit cooler. In Arlington, December means that the opening of our free Christmas Store is just around the corner.  In fact, the Store opens this coming Saturday.  Read on to lear more about ways you can be involved.

Dates & Times

Our Free Christmas Store – for Arlington & Grand Prairie residents – opens this coming Saturday, December 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Store stays open every day afterwards (excluding Sundays), from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through December 23rd. Please help us spread the word. On the last day, Tuesday, December 23rd, the Store opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at Noon.

How to Gain Access

If you live in Arlington or Grand Prairie, and need help with Christmas gifts for your children, please come see us.  To gain entrance into the Mission Arlington^® Christmas Store, you will need the following items: 1) Proof of Address, 2) A Photo ID., and 3) Official documentation that the children belong to you, such as birth certificates, Medicaid Cards, School or Medical records. The documentation must have both the child’s name and the parent/guardians name on the same paperwork.

Wrapping Gifts at the Store

Want to Volunteer?

On any given day that the Store is open, volunteers help with a variety of activities: 1) Stocking – keeping the Store filled with needed gifts, so that the last person of the day has the same opportunities as the first person who enters the store. 2) Shopper Helpers – personalize the store by walking with moms & dads to help them pick out gifts for their children. 3) Gift Wrap – providing that department store feel by personally wrapping the big gifts for each family. 4) Childcare – Helping us care for the children of parents who are shopping in our free Store. This allows parents not to have to pay for childcare in order to come to our Store.  Also, it allows the parents to look for their children’s gifts, without the child being present.

If you want to come as an individual, or with your family, just show up anytime the Store is open, and we’ll get you going. (It’s really that simple).  On the other hand, if you are bringing a group (over five people, let’s say), of some kind, then it would be helpful to know you are coming.  You can let us know in two ways:  1) Call us at 817-277-6620 and tell the operator that you want to bring your group” to volunteer.  2) Or, you can “write to us” here. Select “I want to bring a group” for the subject line, fill out the information, and then “send” it to us.

Want to Provide Christmas Gifts?

List of Needed Toys / Amazon Wish List

1.  Cash Option – You can send or bring in cash or a check, designating “Christmas” in the Memo Line.
2. Website Donation – Click the secure link to donate through our website. Choose the “Christmas Fund.”
3. Drop Off – You can drop off your Christmas gifts directly at Mission Arlington^® anytime between 7 and 7 Monday-Saturday.  See our “Suggested Toy List.”
4. Amazon Wish List – You can select gifts from our Amazon Wish List, and those gifts will be mailed directly to us.

It’s “beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” isn’t it?  We look forward to serving with you.

These three young ladies volunteered with us during the Thanksgiving season last year. Pictured here taking a break for their picture, they had been packing empty boxes with Thanksgiving food for some time. We are grateful for each and every volunteer who serves here.

A Mission Arlington Thanksgiving

We know that Thanksgiving is more than turkey, football, and pumpkin pie, as good as those things are.  There is a spirit to Thanksgiving which is bigger than any one person.  Thanksgiving and family go “hand in hand,” of course. There is nothing quite like being home for the Holidays.  But Thanksgiving is also about the broader community, an awareness that others may not be as blessed as we are, and also an opportunity for generosity to grow & flourish.  The beautiful and generous community which surrounds Mission Arlington lets gratitude overflow into generosity like no other community we know of.

On Thanksgiving Day last year, 29,495 people received a Thanksgiving through the ministry at Mission Arlington^®.  You gave several thousand turkeys. You provided the Thanksgiving food.  You packed 6,000 boxes with Thanksgiving food, and then 5,000 of you came out early on Thanksgiving morning to deliver that food to people’s homes.  There is such unity when all of us come together in love to serve people in need. So truly beautiful.

Delivering the food to people’s homes means that no family has to stand in a soup line somewhere, but in fact, can celebrate Thanksgiving with their own family, around their own kitchen table, without anyone knowing that the food came from us.  We are so truly grateful.

Give Thanks by Giving Back

1. Turkeys & Thanksgiving Food – hams, stuffing mix, canned fruit, canned sweet potatoes, canned pie filling, cranberry sauce, box/mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, beans/rice, tuna, peanut butter, rolls, pie crust – or anything else that goes with a Thanksgiving turkey. (Click this LINK to learn more.)
2. Volunteers before Thanksgiving Day – to pack & prepare Thanksgiving baskets, receive, sort, organize, and distribute incoming Thanksgiving food.
3. Volunteers on Thanksgiving Day – Be at the Mission office by 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning to deliver food to families in need.

Come join us!

We believe that your service here will be simple, memorable, and fun too.  Thanksgiving at Mission Arlington captures well the intersection between gratitude and service.  Thankful people truly do change the world. We look forward to serving with you soon.

Come join the fun!

Our annual Fall Festival happens again on Saturday, October 25th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Saturday before Halloween.

This family friendly event allows families to spend time together outdoors (away from technology) on an amazing Saturday every Fall.

What is there to do at the festival?

Children dress in colorful costumes, jump in bouncy houses, and enjoy a free meal of hotdogs, chips, and a drink.

One of the fan favorites for this event is our tractor-pulled hayride, making a couple of tracks around a big field, with parents & children sitting on hay bales in the back. Children will also enjoy a big gym filled with all kinds of old-fashioned carnival games, face-painting, and fun prizes with each game.

The Arlington Fire Department also brings a Fire Truck to this festival, so that the children can meet real life heroes in our city.  The children also get to see inside the firetruck too, which is a lot of fun.

Every child receives a small bag of wrapped candy when they finish with all of the events and are ready to leave for the day.

How much does this cost, and where is it?

As with everything Mission Arlington^® does, this event is totally free, and reservations are NOT required.  Come anytime between 10 & 2 with your children, and you & your family will have so much fun. You can find this festival at 1514 Cherry Dr., across from the Kroger, near the intersection of Pioneer Pkwy (303) and Fielder Rd. Call us at 817-277-6620 for more information.

You Can Help.

1. Volunteers are Needed – to monitor bouncy houses, to stuff bags with candy, to serve chips & hotdogs, to pick up trash, and more.
2. Donations of Candy are Needed – Individually wrapped bags of candy are needed. Please bring the candy to the Mission Offices.

The Fall Festival is just ahead!  Don’t miss it!  We can’t wait to see you there.