Voices: What Mission Arlington models for us

On a crisp, early Thanksgiving morning, when I normally still would be at home drinking a warm cup of coffee, I found myself volunteering at Mission Arlington.

The place already was packed and buzzing with folks like I never have experienced before. I was greeted immediately and warmly by other mission-minded volunteers, including Jim Burgin, pastor of Grace Street Fellowship Church and head of communications for Mission Arlington. I was grateful for the greeting, as it automatically put me at ease.

My primary duty that day was to help check in the additional line of volunteers who showed up to help distribute the expected thousands of Thanksgiving meals to the community. There was an outpouring of volunteers. They came with their families or friends. It was a great sight.

Two highlights of my day were seeing parents bring their children and exposing them to community outreach, and getting to help deliver some of the Thanksgiving meals directly to the families in the area.

It reminded me of how my own dad ensured I knew early on there are various ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. That is what happened at Mission Arlington that day—thousands of volunteers doing different things and all with the same common goal of showing God’s unconditional love for all.

Mission Arlington fed 28,099 people Thanksgiving Day, compared to 26,181 in 2022. That is a total of about 6,953 families fed in the community, compared to 6,293 families in 2022.

In addition, a total of 4,668 volunteers showed up to help serve that day.

Tillie Burgin, executive director of Mission Arlington, summed up the day saying, “Thanks be to God!”

What volunteers say about Mission Arlington

Tony Towns, a long-time volunteer at Mission Arlington, served that day, also. He works at the Mission, because he believes we ought to serve God for the gift he gave that brought us hope, peace, joy and life we could not find in things of ourselves.

“And when people come to the mission for help, they are a lot more appreciative because they come there looking for help, and that’s a great place to serve because there’s so many people that need help, and it brings the community together,” Tony added.

Nolan Peyton said: “I like serving at Mission Arlington. It is a great way to build and serve the community. To me, that is very important, and it is what God wants from us, to find a way to serve and bring people closer to Jesus. Mission Arlington does an amazing job of doing that.”

Steve Baker, another regular volunteer, said: “I’ve never personally suffered from physical hunger. I have, however, been in a spiritual wasteland. But when I’m spiritually hungry, I can spend a few hours at the Mission, and I’ve never, ever left unsatisfied.

“Christ said, ‘Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.’ I don’t take what he’s said as a gentle suggestion. I take it as a command to follow,” Steve added.

David Baker said, “Mission Arlington has a great reputation for serving the community, and there is no better place to give back.”

Dan Hrubiak, another volunteer, said, “God is truly at work at Mission Arlington.”

What makes Mission Arlington work

After I left, I reflected on my experience at Mission Arlington and why it is working so well. I realized a lot of it is because Tillie Burgin and her family are excellent at role-modeling the way.

Tillie was a visible presence from the time the Thanksgiving event began, warmly greeting volunteers with hugs, praying for the success of the event, and checking on all the moving parts of running a large and dynamic mission-minded organization.

In her mid-80s, Tillie is not showing signs of slowing down. Instead, she still is out there working in the front lines with the rest of the volunteers, doing what she is passionate about and called to do.

Beyond giving away Thanksgiving meals, Mission Arlington provides various forms of assistance—food, clothing, furniture, medical and dental care, after-school programs, and other assistance.

The challenge for us

I believe the real challenge for all of us is how to raise the bar for how we can serve our communities better.

During a time when standards are inconsistent or nonexistent, Mission Arlington has set a clear standard—proactively to care for those in need and to give without any expectations in return as Jesus has shown us.

Paul wrote, “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you—make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Is there a need in our community we can address? Are there needs elsewhere or others we can serve? Can we serve more people? Our desire to serve more is for God’s glory.

There always is room to be better, to add more value wherever we are, to be more generous. My dad taught me these values early on in life, and I see these same values being modeled at Mission Arlington.

If you find yourself in the Arlington area this Christmas or in the coming weeks or months, I encourage you to stop by and check out Mission Arlington. Bring your kids, family, friends or church group, and volunteer. I can guarantee you will not regret it.

Jemar Bahinting is the office manager for Collin Baptist Association. The views expressed are those of the author.