The giant Swing is a little scary at first, but also so much fun.

Summer camps have been a wonderful part of the Mission Arlington^® experience for decades. Before July is over, we will take hundreds of children & youth to six Summer Camps. These camps, as with everything Mission Arlington does, are free of charge. Thank you so much for your support.  Our camps are so much fun.

Three Tuesday “Kiddie Camps” (K-3rd grade)

For three Tuesday nights in July, students arrive by Mission Arlington^® buses in central Arlington to enjoy crafts, games, music, a great supper, and a message from God’s word designed specifically for them.  It is so much fun to watch these sweet kids run, play, make crafts to take home with them, and to learn more about the Lord.

Two Saturday Children’s Camps (4th-6th grade)

Our volunteer Bible study leaders get up early on two July Saturday mornings (12th & 19th) to pick up children from the apartment communities.  Permission slips are turned in, and campers load our vans & buses, driven by loving volunteers. When the students arrive at the Mission, they receive their camp t-shirts, then re-load the buses. Promptly at 9:30, the caravan pulls out, headed to Camp Thurman, who hosts our children’s camp each year.  Tillie Burgin, our Executive Director, waves on each bus filled with kids.  When the kids arrive at camp, they are surprised to see Tillie at the front gate waving them in.

The children enter through a tunnel created by Camp Thurman leaders, divide into color groups, and create their own cheers. Then, the whole group worships and prays together before dividing into the day’s activities. Ziplining, pole climbing, water slides, soccer, swimming, basketball (and more) form many of the activities across the day. The children eat lunch together and then listen to a message from God’s word which is shared creatively and, in a style, suited just for them. Everyone gets back home sometime late on Saturday afternoon.

One Youth Camp (7th – 12th)

This past Friday afternoon, July 18th, at 4:00, a long line of Mission Arlington^® buses traveled to Arlington’s Stovall Park for our annual Youth Camp.  Three hundred (300) students heard a lesson from Regina about the grace of God, then the students played volleyball, soccer, and other games.  A craft section and table games formed part of the fun, along with a delicious meal.  By 7:30 – to 9:30, the students cooled off in the park’s massive pool. Everyone was back home by 10:00.

We are grateful for your support.

These camps are provided at no charge to the students, because of the way our community continues to give.  We are also so appreciative of your prayers as we share God’s love with the young people in our community.  We are thankful too for all the ways you volunteer to make a difference here.  We are truly grateful for you!

A volunteer Bible study teacher share’s God’s love with a room full of people in an apartment community club house in Arlington. This scene is repeated hundreds of times across our community each & every Sunday.

When someone is “called out” in our day, we think of someone being held accountable for doing something wrong.  In this case, however, we mean that, through Mission Arlington^®, God has called his church out – into the community to share His love in clear & tangible ways.  That call is so compelling.

A Clear Call

We know that Jesus asked his followers to “make disciples” as we “go into all the world” (Mt. 28: 18).

We know that we are to be his “witnesses” in our Jerusalem, which for us is Arlington, and the communities surrounding Arlington (Acts 1:8).  We know that Jesus said the “harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Mt. 9:37-38). So, who is it that the Lord is calling out?

A Call for All

This “call” of Christ to share the good news wasn’t given only to a small group of people, as some perceive, but to all people.  Sharing God’s love with a waiting world isn’t only the job of preachers, deacons, and leaders in the church, but for everyone.  We believe that every Christian is a “minister,” fully qualified to share God’s love in any & every setting.  So, where are we called to go?

Called into the Fields

Instead of working to get people into the church, the Lord led us to get the church connected to the people, right where they lived.  Almost 39-years ago, Mission Arlington^® began by “taking church to the people.”  If people couldn’t or wouldn’t come to church, for whatever reason, we would take the church to them.  What began in 1 apartment community on Arlington’s North side in 1986 has turned into more than 350 locations today.

Called into the Family

Our Bible studies & congregations meet in apartment club houses, mobile home parks, neighborhood homes, and even outside.  We will share God’s love anytime, and anywhere, we possibly can.

As we share God’s love throughout our community, people who didn’t know that God loved them too are joining God’s beautiful family, and the invitation is coming from the Lord Himself, delivered by faithful volunteers.  The Lord Himself wants invites all people to become a part of His family.  Then, as people begin to grow, they too are called to share God’s love with others.

We know that we can do this on our own, so the Lord has also called so many of you to walk alongside of us in these days.

Called Together

Mission Arlington, quite simply, is a representation of our amazing, large, & beautiful community. We can be here, because you give your time, talents, and treasures daily to make a difference in the lives of others.  We are all in this together. In fact, when you give, we give it away.  Thank you so much for the blessing of serving alongside each of you. WE ARE GRATEFUL!

This August 1st, we will turn 39-years-old. We will start our 40th year.  We are so looking forward to the days and months ahead as we serve Him together.

We love Rainbow Express^®.

We get excited when youth groups roll into town – because they are excited, and we know the amazing experiences that lie ahead of them. When Rainbow Express^® begins in an apartment community, children & youth flock to it, excited and eager for the experience.  There is just something fun & energizing when Rainbow Express^® rolls into town.

Last Year

In 2024, we hosted these four-day, fun-filled events 334 times across our community. More than 22,000 (22,201) children & youth attended.  125 different youth groups from 8 states and 40 Texas cities landed here last year to lead Rainbow Express^®.

Building Steam

Like a train leaving a station, we are gathering momentum.  We started with one group a couple of weeks ago, to a bigger contingent of groups this week.  By next week, we will do Rainbow Express in multiple locations.

Come Join us!

Interested in knowing where a Rainbow Express event is happening near you, give us a call.  We are so grateful for the privilege we have of sharing God’s love in our community.

Free Fun Days

Mission Arlington^® sponsors several “FUN DAYS” each year, a free, outdoor event for children and their families, and it has been a big success. As with everything Mission Arlington does, there is no charge for anyone who joins the fun.

From 9:00 to Noon on various Saturdays throughout the year, children enjoy a safe, outdoor setting to play basketball, soccer, tug of war, slap dodge ball, and so much more.  Inside, there are also board & table games which the children truly enjoy.

As we near the end of each event, everyone gets a few slices of pizza & a drink, and then the children sit to listen to a devotional thought from God’s Word.

Fresh Air, Outdoor Fun

Families truly enjoy these fun days for their children, much like they would a “day at the park.”  Children get away from computer screens of all kinds, while enjoying exercise, healthy relationships with other children & caring adults, plus a healthy dose of sunshine & fresh air. Add “good food” to that list, and the day is complete.

A Spiritual Component Too

The heart of everything at Mission Arlington^® is to honor the Lord and to share His love wherever we can.  After the meal, one of our leaders teaches a lesson from the Bible which truly engages the children.  The children especially enjoy this time and engage in the material which is being taught.

A Wonderful Experience for All

This past Saturday, nearly 400 children attended FUN DAY.   Add to that number the Bible study leaders, parents, and other Mission Arlington^® team members who were there, and it was quite the day.

We remember that 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

What a truly blessed day it was, with more to come.  Thank you for all you do to pray & to provide for Mission Arlington^®.

An Afterschool Program in central Arlington in January of this year.

Afterschool programming across our nation has been lauded for providing safe spaces for children to develop “socially, emotionally, and academically.”  It has been noted that students who participate in these programs regularly attend school more faithfully and improve academically.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, students who attend afterschool programs routinely are linked to “lower dropout rates and a narrowing of achievement gaps.”  For older students, participation in afterschool opportunities also “contributes to a reduction in risky behaviors and the development of college and career readiness skills.”

In 2024, Mission Arlington hosted afterschool programs in 25 locations across our community.  An average of 912 students each week participated in these weekly educational opportunities.  A total of 1,824 students attended the program through the year.

Our afterschool programs are scattered throughout our community, and they are free of charge, as are all of our ministries at Mission Arlington. ®

Students receive snacks, work on their homework, and then listen to a story found in God’s Word. This program helps provide childcare for families where both adults in the house work and can’t get home until the child is OK.

We love serving with students and their families, and we are looking forward to what the Lord has for each of the in the future.

Do you want to help in our ministries after school?  Give us a call (817-277-6620), or drop us a note, and we’ll get you connected.

We are so grateful to walk this journey with you.

There are so many different quotes about the value of teams.  I’m sure you’ve heard a few:  1) “Teamwork makes the Dream work;” or 2) “Together Everyone Achieves More;” or 3) “It is amazing how much people get done when they don’t care who gets the credit.”  We all know that more gets done when people come together to pull in the same direction.  There truly is just something special about teams.

Team Spirit

At Mission Arlington^®, we’ve experienced a “spirit” in teams that encourages us. Teams who serve here always seem to have such a positive spirit. They come not just ready to work, but also willing to do whatever is needed to help people in need.

Teamwork

We hear from groups almost every time they come – that their experiences here were a blessing to them.  Working together created and/or strengthened bonds within the team. Plus, team members felt like they made a difference individually, but also as a team.

Team Numbers

Last year, 939 different teams came to serve with us.  When you add in the groups that came more than once, these teams were here 1,539 different times, representing 27,747 people.

We are so grateful!  Come join us, won’t you?

Over 34,000 people received ministry through Mission Arlington’s Christmas ministry in 2024.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season was evident at Mission Arlington^® through the month of December, and it not only lifted the spirits of people, but it was also so much fun.

The Christmas Spirit

The people of this amazing community dropped by daily with gifts of food, clothing, household items, and Christmas gifts. Individuals, families, student groups, civic clubs, and businesses of all sizes came together to make Christmas so much better for people experiencing a moment of need.  Not only would these families have food, clothing, and other basic necessities, but their children could also have gifts under their tree.  More than 6,000 of you came to serve over the 12 days of our free Christmas Store.  Wow! You made a difference.

Christmas Results

Over  34,000  people were touched by our free Christmas Store, and hundreds of people responded to the Christmas Story by rededicating their lives to the Lord, or by making a decision to trust Christ for the very first time.  Here are the numbers:

Active Congregations across our Community

Mission Arlington^® Bible studies and congregations had Christmas dinners, plays, choirs, candlelight services, and so much more throughout the month.

Every Ministry in Full Swing through December

Our medical & dental clinics operated at full steam, helping with people’s health at no charge, and our Counseling center continued to provide guidance to people, as they navigated the difficulties of a holiday season.

A Spirit Like No Other

It truly is more “blessed to give as to receive,” as so many of you know.  If Christmas is more about giving and blessing others, then this community has the Christmas spirit like no other.

As we turn the corner into the new year, we hope you always know how grateful we are for you.  Come see us when you can.

Pictured here, T. Alexander, carrying a box of turkeys which have just been donated to Mission Arlington. The turkeys are being placed in a freezer until we thaw them a few days prior to Thanksgiving Day.

By Jim Burgin, Staff Writer

Gratitude Born in difficult Times

“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart,” or sometimes simply referred to as “Give Thanks,” is an American Christian worship song written by Henry Smith in 1978. The song is popular, and usually increases in playtime during the Thanksgiving season. We sing the song often at Mission Arlington^®.

This was Smith’s only published worship out of 300 unpublished compositions.  Smith wrote the song when he couldn’t find work after graduating from the University.  He was also suffering from a degenerative condition which eventually left him legally blind.

This song illustrates what Smith knew through his life, that we can “give thanks in all circumstances,” the hard times as well as the good.

Your Spirit Grows Gratitude in Us

At Mission Arlington^®, we hope to be thankful all year long, but our gratitude increases in and through the Thanksgiving season for many reasons, but especially because of the way you become a blessing to the people we serve.

Your drop by with turkeys and Thanksgiving food, as if you didn’t have a care in the world. You show up to help at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, as if this weren’t your only day off in a while.

And you bring such a wonderful spirit with you at every point.  How could we not be thankful?

Giving Thanks

It seems to me also that there must be a connection between gratitude and giving.  Yes, we are giving “Thanks,” but it is more than that.  There is something special about gratitude, when it comes from the heart, that flows over in giving to others.  When we are grateful, we give, and then that giving becomes an impetus for others to be thankful too.

Thanks be to God

I have served at Mission Arlington’s Thanksgiving Day giveaway every year for more than two decades.  As we near the end of each Thanksgiving morning, I imagine people gathered around their Thanksgiving tables, thankful for each other, and for the food, but also, and perhaps especially, returning that thanks to God.

I wouldn’t be anywhere else.  Hope to see you there too.

The hayride is always a fun part of the Fall Festival, loved by the kids, and the parents too!

Building Memories Together

An afternoon with the family – without all the devices to distract – a way to build memories together.

Saturday, October 26th, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1514 Cherry Dr. in Arlington

This Festival is free and is going to be so much fun! 

Mission Arlington^® hosts a safe & fun alternative to Halloween each year on the Saturday prior to the annual holiday.

This year, our festival happens on Saturday, October 26th, from noon to 4 p.m. in central Arlington. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

This family-friendly experience is mostly outdoors. This festival is a moment which the children will love, but the whole family enjoys. The following list of activities for the festival is only part of the fun:

• Free Food – hot dogs, chips, a cookie and a drink, plus picnic tables for the family to enjoy eating together.
• Bouncy Houses – a giant row of big bouncy houses for the children to enjoy.
• A Hayride – flatbed trailers loaded with bales of hay – and a couple of trips around a field. Wow, it is so much fun.
• Carnival Games– an entire gym full of carnival games – fishing, miniature golf, basketball, bowling, and so much more.  The children will receive prizes too.
• Candy – Each child will receive a small bag of candy.

You can help!

Most children would agree that candy plays a huge part in this particular holiday.  If you would like to donate individually wrapped candy for this event, please deliver it the Mission Arlington^® offices downtown.  We are grateful for your support!

A Long Partnership

The children, educators, and administrators of the DFW area Primrose Schools have long been a partner with the Mission Arlington^® family. For many years, busloads of children in the smartly decorated Primrose busses would show up at our back door every Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The students in each school would collect turkeys, Thanksgiving food, and Christmas toys, then unload their gifts in each season for children (and their families) who were being served by Mission Arlington.^®

A Fun Way to Give

Earlier this week, we received a call from our friends at Primrose. Students in their schools across the Metroplex had been competing to see which school could gather the most diapers (of all sizes and kinds) for children.  We learned that they wanted to donate all of the diapers through us, to the people we serve.  Of course, we were excited.

Then we learned that the diapers were in 22 different locations in various cities across the Metroplex.  Volunteers from our community stepped in, donating their time, driving to each school, meeting the children & the school leadership, and – with the helps of the students – loaded the diapers into their vehicles.

A Huge Impact

Altogether, the Primrose team donated  36,219 diapers  – through us – to the people we serve every day.  WOW!  From the 1st of the year through the end of August, we have averaged 634 people a day coming through our front doors for help.  Already, the diapers are making it to homes of young families.

We are truly grateful!