News From The Assembly

Disciples Youth Pitch In to Help Non-Profit that “Takes Church to the People” 
July 20, 2007 - Disciples News Service - Fort Worth, Texas

Youth attending the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Worth, have been involved in initiatives undertaken on behalf of Mission Arlington, a nineteen-year-old organization that “takes church to people.”

Disciples youth pitched in, sorted donated clothing, worked in a food warehouse, spruced up flowerbeds and traveled to neighboring Grand Prairie, Texas, to paint over graffiti marring a low-income apartment complex there.  Another group helped conduct “Rainbow Express,” Mission Arlington’s own vacation Bible school program offered where children live, rather in traditional church settings.

“Our definition of church is what we do seven days a week, almost 24 hours a day, all year long — it is just who we are,” said Tillie Burgin, Mission Arlington executive director.  “When we began August 1, 1986, God had people ready to receive the Gospel. They were physically and spiritually hungry.  The Scripture found in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew still rings true.”

Mission Arlington doesn’t tend to fit into the customary language of church.  Neither does it fit well into the typical secular categories of social work or other helping institutions.  For example, Mission Arlington also offers medical and dental clinics, and conducts English classes.

“Mission Arlington belongs to God,” Burgin continued.  “It isn’t our story, but His, and as we talk about who we are it is with sincere humility, a sense of dependency, and a commitment to the leadership of His Spirit within us.
“We are grateful to Disciples of Christ youth and to all who have walked this journey with us.”

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By:  James L. Stuart, freelance writer