Mission Arlington^® dedicated a newly-built baseball field to the Lord this past Saturday. More than a hundred (101) elementary-aged children, belonging to Mission Arlington^® Bible studies and congregations, put the field to good use immediately afterwards.

A baseball camp, organized by Jim Reeder and Jerry McCullough, and led by multiple volunteers from across the community, demonstrated for these children the basic techniques of baseball – catching, hitting, fielding, and running the bases.  Tillie Burgin threw out the first ball.

Laughter and fun were evident everywhere, as the kids played ball, and more than a few exclamations of happiness came from the watching adults as they saw how much fun these young people were having.  These Spring, Saturday baseball camps will last through May.

This field, located on North Fielder Road behind the Parkview Fellowship facility, was dedicated to Jonathan Hunter Irwin, a young man who grew up in Arlington and who attended Grace Street fellowship, a Mission Arlington^® congregation. Mike Irwin, Hunter’s Father, was prompted by the Lord to build this field for the glory of God in honor of his son, and found the support of so many people and teams who put this field together.  The Mission Arlington / Mission Metroplex^®  family expresses our gratitude to the Irwins,  and to each and everyone who contributed to make this “field of dreams” a beautiful reality.  We are grateful to God and for you.

As the children finished for the day, the coaches walked them by the memorial to Hunter, built in love, which dedicates this field to “all of God’s children and to all those who seek our Father now and in the Future.” One by one the children placed their hand on the plaque and quietly, but sincerely expressed their sincere thanks to Hunter and to God.  People standing close by listened to the stream of children, saying “Thank you Hunter. Thank you, God.”  It was beautiful to see and to hear. May God’s love flow from here through the generations.

We thank the Lord for the constant support of this community. Because of your loving, generous support, we can provide sports venues, such as basketball, wrestling, and baseball for the children of our community. We thank God for you.

Novartis – Alcon team member volunteering in our pantry, providing food to people with such a great spirit. So thankful for all volunteers who make a difference here.

If you have never had a crisis where you needed a little extra help to get by – perhaps not from a place like ours, but from anywhere, you might not understand Mission Arlington.^®  On the other hand, if you have had something fall through unexpectedly with your employment, in a relationship, or with your health through the years, then you probably remember what it took, and how good it felt to know that someone not only cared, but provided practical support. Providing help like that is what we get to do every day.

We love the privilege we have of walking this journey with such generous, thoughtful, and caring people like you. We can be in place to support families in a “moment of crisis,” because you give.

Perhaps to some, a $50 or $100 isn’t much, but when it makes the difference in keeping your lights on, or staying in your home another month until things get back together, it means so much. Add to that, a week’s worth of food, and other household items or furniture, and the support means a lot.

Through the first quarter of 2016, nearly 30,000 people (29,778) received help through our front room. This pace equals approximately 10,000 people a month.  We are so grateful for your help.

As you know, it is important to us that each person is treated with dignity and respect.  We want to hear people’s stories, and we offer to pray with each one open to that kind of spiritual investment.  We also follow up each week, so that we can know how the people are doing, and what other kinds of help we might be able to provide.

This week, a young lady received a house load of furniture on the same day that she applied for it.  When she was reporting it to her pastor later in the week, she gave praise to God, over and over.  We couldn’t agree more.

Thank you so much for helping us to help the people.  We are grateful for you.

By Jim Burgin, staff writer

I almost didn’t see her.  In the very back of the church, as far away from anyone else as she could possibly get, sitting alone, a young woman sat silently worshiping in the Mission Arlington^® church I pastor. I knew that sometimes, even in a crowded room, people feel isolated – cut off.

As I walked toward her, intending to help her feel welcomed, she seemed to shrink in front of me.  When I spoke, she nodded affirmation, but turned away. I thought I saw a face stained by tears. My heart hurt instantly for her, and I wondered as I walked away what burdens she carried, and how we could provide support. I made a mental note to catch her after church. When the services were over, she was gone.  Though I don’t know her name, and probably wouldn’t recognize her if I saw her in a crowd, I have been praying for her.

When you think of Mission Arlington^®, it is easy to think of our work in terms of large numbers. For example, since January 1st, thirty thousand (30,000) people have come through our front room for help. That’s ten thousand people a month. 4,600 children (including families) came to our Easter egg hunt which we affectionately call “the world’s largest.” Right around ten thousand children (9,869) children attended one of our Rainbow Express^® events this Spring.

Add to this – that a large number of different services for people happen here all “under one roof,” so to speak.  It isn’t unusual for people to say “you do that?”  We are humbled by all that God does in this place. Our confession is and has been that we are “over our heads,” and especially that this mission belongs to Him above all.

On the other hand, our conviction is that every life matters.  Tillie reminds staff and volunteers often that the most important word in John 3:16 is “whosoever.” This means that every person matters to God, and therefore to us.  “I’ve never met a number walking through a door,” Tillie prompts, “but only a life created and loved by God.”   For this reason, we still refer to ourselves often as a “ministry of ones.” Our prayer is that through the busyness, God would not let us miss any single person.

Earlier this week, a lady met Tillie here at Mission Arlington^® early one morning. The struggles were real and difficult, and the two of them talked for a while, then prayed.  No sermons or preaching happened. There were no “quick fixes” or easy platitudes – just a moment in time.  The lady stayed, and started to volunteer, finding usefulness in her skills as a translator. After a while, one of our volunteer medical doctors, a Christian, and this lady had a chance to sit down to talk.  This beautiful lady, so stressed by much in her life, and with so much to give, turned over her heart to Christ.

When we met early this morning (typical for staff meetings here), the dialogue wasn’t about the volume of people coming through our “front doors,” or “out back,” or the “number of pickups,” etc.  The conversation turned to God with thanksgiving for the changed life of this one lady. Requests for prayer around the room were for individual people that each minister was praying for and concerned about.

Years ago, a close friend of the mission gave us a picture which still hangs today in our front room. It is the picture of a shepherd reaching out for a sheep that has been lost (pictured above).  This portrait of love seems to be built around John 10 where the good shepherd “knows his sheep by name,” or Luke 15 where the good shepherd goes after “the one who is lost until he finds it.”  We see this picture every day and remember to love each one – even when they are simply lost, or find themselves shrinking in the crowd. We thank Him for reaching out to us when we were lost. May God help us always to keep it personal.

Thank you so much for walking this journey with us.

As has been previously reported, the Mission Arlington^® family works diligently to be accountable to God, and to you. We consider every gift sacrificial, and we keep in mind that you give so that people in need will receive authentic, practical, and timely help. Each month and every year, we report to you the results of our work. We also provide access for you to the reports of others who watch us closely. Transparency and accountability are twin core values here. Your trust matters to us.

Administrative overhead is one way among many to measure the efficiency of a non-profit organization. One component of our auditors‘ annual report to our board this week, in addition to providing a clean opinion, was recognition for continued success at keeping administrative (overhead) costs low.  We want to pass along their report to you:

For the year ending 2015, our administrative overhead was 3.2 percent. This means that almost 97 cents out of every dollar you give goes directly in ministry to people in need.

While this is up from 2.8 percent over the last two years, our auditors tells us that in the world of non-profits, an administrative overhead of 33 percent is considered to be good. This means that the ministry efficiency here is nearly 30 percent more effective than the industry standard, or what many would consider the norm.

While we are proud to report this news, we are also humbled by it, because we know how hard most people work to give, and that sacrifices are often made, so that someone struggling through the effects of a job loss, or a health crisis, can have the help they need to make it through.

We are also humbled by this news, because so much of the success related to administrative costs connects to the number of dedicated volunteers who grace our doors each week. It takes over 2,500 volunteers a week to keep things going here – from the medical to the dental, to our after-school programs, Bible studies, the front room, and/or to the volunteers carrying couches out back.  We are extraordinarily blessed by the number of people in this community who love to give their time to help someone else.

We want you to hear again and again how much we value our partnership with each individual and every team who lends a hand here.  Under the leadership of the Lord, and the long-time servant leadership of our Director Tillie Burgin, we will continue to keep the costs low – and to cherish the privilege we have of walking this journey with you.

To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Normally the announcement that an organization is being audited spells trouble. It means that irregularities have been spotted by someone, so that now an investigation is underway to discover the truth about the organization in question.  For most of us, the concept or thought of an IRS investigation causes concern enough to keep us up at night.

At Mission Arlington^®, however, accountability is part and parcel of our daily routine.  On the one hand, we sustain a deep conviction that every gift is provided sacrificially, and so for us, those gifts are sacred . On the other hand, in conjunction with established procedures, a long-tenured team, and our auditors, every day, we watch closely what has been entrusted to us for people in need. Monthly reports are made to a local team of people who both support and watch what we do.  We welcome and treasure this accountability.

Tillie Burgin, Executive Director, here from the Beginning, August 1st, 1986.

In addition, we voluntarily partner with charity watchdog organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and Guidestar.  We are in good standing with each of these accountability/transparency groups.   We provide an accessible and public page for you review each evaluation and we link to each of these accountability partners on every page of our website.

Finally, as with every strong and healthy non-profit we partner with a well-respected, local team of auditors who inspect our work every year.  At our monthly board meeting this Tuesday night, the report was presented from these auditors giving us a “clean bill of health” for our work through 2015.  We wanted you to know as well. You can read their report here.

Our first commitment is to Christ, which calls us to a walk of integrity and a humble dedication to accountability. Our second commitment is to you, to be the kind of organization you can trust with the sacrificial gift of what you have worked hard to earn.

In our 30th year, as our birthday nears this August, we find ourselves grateful for the privilege we have of walking this journey with you – through the years, yes, but also day-by-day. Thank you for your willingness to provide support, and to give of your time and resources here. We are grateful, and we “praise His name!” Thank you.

It is such a simple concept – going where people are. That’s what Mission Arlington^® does. Early on, the call was clear: “If people aren’t going to come to the traditional church, for whatever reason, we were to take the church to them.”  Nearly thirty (30) years ago now,  led by Tillie, and a core of volunteers,  the Mission began teaching God’s word each Sunday in apartment clubhouses across town. Today, we are doing that in 349 locations.

Along the way, Rainbow Express^® became one way that we could minister to the children in the apartments. Youth groups from across the country picked up the pace, and they began to lead these four-day events throughout the community. Rainbow Express^® is our version of a “back-yard Bible club, involving songs, crafts, games, and the teaching of God’s Word. Over time this part of our work, prompted and led by the Lord, has grown to be a huge part of what we do every Spring and Fall.

Spring Break constitutes the “first wave” of Rainbow Express^® each year. Student groups from across Texas and around the country arrive in our city concurrently with the Spring Breaks of the local colleges and independent school districts.  During this week, student groups lead Rainbow Express^® in the morning and in the afternoon.  Around the country, Spring Break weeks don’t always coincide with local schedules, so for several weeks in the Spring, student groups come to lead Rainbow Express^® even when our own schools are in session. For those weeks, the groups help Mission Arlington^® in the mornings, but lead these fun Bible clubs in the afternoons when school is out.  Lots of hugs, smiles, and love for children make up the “every day” of each experience.  Many young people learn more about Christ, or meet him for the first time.

We are pleased to report that – for this Spring, nearly 10,000 (9,869) children attended Rainbow Express, and 287 people accepted Christ. Nearly 1,400 (1,381) students from 55 youth groups came to town from nine (9) states and twenty-one Texas cities. Students came from as far away as Michigan, and Midland.  Many of these young people grew in their understanding of Missions and went home with increased commitment to reach their own cities for Christ.

We are grateful to God for the way He has put all of this together.  It is important to us to keep all that we do submitted to Him.   Through faithful reporting we want to keep you in touch with what happens here, so that you can pray in informed ways, and so that you will know how much we desire to be accountable and transparent to all who pray, give, and help here on a monthly basis.

Rainbow Express is about to start again.  Yesterday, we published our May-June Curriculum here.  Please keep us in your prayers as round two begins.  May the Lord use us to communicate his great love  in practical ways, and may many more come to know him personally.

Thank you so much for all your support.

Students from Bailey Junior High’s Avid program, here this past week, helping us unpack, move, and store plastic Easter eggs. A huge group of these students came to help us get the work done.

Volunteers make a huge difference.

Volunteers are an important part of Mission Arlington^®‘s work here every day. No matter the age or background, and no matter how much time a person has to give, whether a little or a lot, we value the partnerships with people. Without their help, our ministry wouldn’t get done.

Volunteers come as individuals and in groups, and they come from all walks of life, such as corporate families, civic groups, church teams, students from every age group, and so many more. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

A student from UTA rakes leaves to help clean up a yard for Mission Arlington in conjunction with “The Big Event” this past Saturday.

A flexible and fun family

When volunteers come through this place, they are already eager to serve, and ready to make a difference in someone’s life.  Sometime the tasks are simple, but not necessarily fun – say taking donated clothes, putting them on hangars and getting them ready to give away. Sometime the tasks are more difficult, like loading couches into trucks for delivery to a home. Sometimes the need demands means that jobs start and stop and start again in a new direction.

Our observation over time is that people volunteering here 1) flex at a moment’s notice; 2)  work hard at every task; 3) and appear to enjoy their assignments. Right around 2,500 volunteers serve here each week, and it is so much fun. In fact, working together often feels like family.

Surrounded by your Support

There probably isn’t much way that volunteers would know how often their service here is a direct answer to our prayers.  Last week, when we needed to get quite a bit of work done – work that would have taken us a long time to accomplish – a group of 147 people showed up at our door.  We knew in those moments that they had been sent by the Lord to help – in answer to our prayers.

This past week, we had a big group of students here from Bailey Jr. High, and a big group from the University of Texas at Arlington in conjunction with their “The Big Event” – and that’s just to name a few.

All of this is to say “thank you” for the way you give your time to serve here.  We are open from 7 to 7 Monday through Saturday. You don’t need an appointment. Just drop in, and we’ll get you going.  You’ll be glad you did, and so will we.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.

How it Began

The Allan Saxe Dental Clinic began with a question: “What are you doing to help people with their dental needs?” The question was asked over 22 years ago by a kindergarten teacher who moonlighted in dental offices at night. The question was asked by Jean Cagle. The person she asked was Tillie Burgin.  Tillie’s response?  “Whatever you want to do.”

That conversation led to the start of Mission Arlington’s dental clinic. Jean Saxe became the dental clinic’s first and only director. Dr. Allan Saxe learned of the need and contributed the seed money to facilitate the start, and the Dr. Alan Saxe Dental Clinic was born.  The start was humble enough – with one room and one chair, and few volunteers.

More than two decades later the dental clinic has 50+ dentists who contribute, along with a host of other medical assistants and volunteers who routinely contribute their time, skills, and care.  Through the first two months of this year, the clinic has already treated 1,382 patients, worth about $193 thousand dollars of free care.  To repeat, patients are treated at the Saxe clinic free of charge.

How the process works

When the dental clinic opened, the Mission Arlington^® team was able to treat people on a “first come/first serve” basis. As the number of people needing help grew, this process became untenable.  People were waiting all day for help, but weren’t able to get into the clinic. Frustration and disappointment were the inevitable result.

In an attempt to improve the process, we decided to make appointments for anyone who needed to see a dentist. People would make an appointment with us on any day that we were open to help people – meaning every day except Sunday.  Before long the waiting lists were 18 months to 2 years out, clearly an inadequate solution.  For people in pain, even a week can be a long wait.

Once more we shifted our process. Now, on the first Monday of every month, we open a voicemail box here at the mission. People can access that voicemail beginning at 8:30 a.m. We make as many appointments as we possibly can based upon the number of dentists available to volunteer that month, but the volume of calls exceeds by ten times or more the number of spots available.  We do not like this system, but we simply don’t know how else to do it.

A Two-Tiered Approach

Once people make it through the process described above, then they become members of the Saxe Dental Clinic. The second time they need to see a dentist, they make an appointment with our dental office like any of us would do with our own dentists. In other words, this difficult process – often compared to “pulling teeth,” only happens once. After that, people can make appointments with a simple phone call.

The Need is Great

The mornings of our “First Mondays” are often difficult mornings at the mission.  Because of the heavy volume, people get frustrated. When people get frustrated, and understandably so, they contact us to express that frustration. They, or someone they care about, such as a spouse or a child are often in physical pain, and our greatest desire is for each one to get the help that they need.

As you pray with us on the first Monday of every month, please pray for the people, and ask the Lord, if you would, to keep adding medical professionals to our mix. If one dentist gives a week’s worth of time, we can knock the equivalent of 3 months off people’s wait time.

We are Thankful for you!

We can be in this community day after day, because of our heavenly Father’s great love.  We can also be here to care for the people because of the way this community continues to contribute financially, with their time, and with their prayers.  We are so grateful for the privilege we have of walking together with you day after day. Please come see us when you can, and to God be the glory!

4,600 children (with families) enjoyed our free Easter egg hunt.

Thank you for your faithful, generous support! Easter Week is special by itself of course, all over the world.  At Mission Arlington^®, it is a focused time to share God’s love in so many ways – whether at an Easter Store, a youth-focused worship service, or an Easter egg hunt.

Here are some of the results from the events of last week:

• The Easter Store happened on the Tuesday and Thursday of Easter Week. 1,057 people heard the Easter story, then took advantage of this free bundle of Easter supplies for their family. Forty different people made spiritual decisions.
• On Maundy Thursday, 218 youth from Mission Arlington^® Bible studies gathered to worship, to administer and take the Lord’s supper, and to hear a message of challenge from the scriptures; After the service, they split back into their groups, ate pizza, and talked over/ prayed about what they had heard.
• On Good Friday several Mission Arlington congregations held worship services focused on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.  Strong groups of people attended each of these Friday evening services.
• The “World’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt” happened on Saturday. 4,600 children (with families) enjoyed the fun.  Wonderful volunteers were everywhere, and every person who attended the egg hunt was able to hear a presentation about the Good News of Easter.
• On Easter Sunday morning, volunteers spread out across our community to lead Bible studies in 349 different locations.  People crowded into apartment club houses, mobile home parks, neighborhood homes to worship a risen savior. It was a beautiful and extraordinary day.

Communication with You
It is important to us that we provide a steady stream of communication about what happens in and through this ministry.  We want God to get all the glory, and we want you to know the many ways your gifts of love and time make a difference here.

You can follow our work on Facebook, through newsletters, or through daily updates provided on this website. Or, you can join us here in any number of ways.

We are grateful for your constant support.

An Easter egg field filled with beautifully colored, candy-filled eggs ready for the children.

Rainbow Express

Student groups from Arkansas have been here all week, helping us fill Easter eggs with candy, along with various other work projects, but also leading Rainbow Express^®  each afternoon and evening. Through Rainbow Express this past week, forty different people accepted Christ.

The Easter Store

The Easter Store was especially fun and meaningful this year.  Because you give, we are able to provide Easter baskets and Spring items each of the two days that this free store was open. Families came together to hear the message of Easter, beautifully shared, then they filled their bags with all of the Spring goodies inside. Altogether, 1,057 people were helped through our “Easter Store” over the two-day period.

Maundy Thursday Service

Maundy comes from a Latin word which means mandated, and it grows out of Jesus’ command on the Thursday evening of Holy week. Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples – his Last Supper. In their conversation, Jesus mandated a new command for the disciples to “love one another.” Mission Arlington gathered youth leaders last night, as they do every Maundy Thursday. They came with their Bible study leaders from all over our community to worship the Lord, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together, and to spend time discussing in small groups what the evening had meant to them. 218 youth attended the service.

Good Friday Services

Tonight, in several locations, different Bible study groups will gather to worship the Lord on Good Friday, a somber day of remembrance of what Christ did for each of us on the cross.

“World’s Largest” Easter Egg Hunt

Tomorrow, if history holds true, about 5,000 children (with parents) will gather for our giant Easter Egg Hunt in the center of town. The Egg hunt is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1514 Cherry Dr., behind the Grace Street Fellowship congregation of Mission Arlington^®.  One hundred ten thousand eggs are stuffed, taped, and ready to go.  We are so eager to see all of the kids coming our way.

Easter Sunday Morning

Easter Sunday morning, Mission Arlington’s congregations will gather in 349 locations, led by lay people, blue-jeans and banjos, worshipping a risen Lord. It is going to be a great day!

Thank you for your prayers and support for our work here. Praise His Name!