Reflection by Mark Dingler
One of my (many) favorite things about Be The Neighbor is that each site is led by people from the host community, partnering with organizations the site director knows, trusts and are already in partnership with!
I moved to Bentonville just last August to start my call here – a call I pursued because of what I learned as a BTN intern, as I finally accepted and embraced a call to ministry – so my time planning this summer was also about building those relationships and finding those partnerships – many that my church was already working closely alongside!
In doing so, I found new and deep reasons to love this space already. I learned so much and was energized by the discussions I had with the leaders and organizations we worked with, as they shared their stories of why they do the important work they do every day.
My enthusiasm was only heightened though, as I got to share Northwest Arkansas’s beautifully imperfect community full of dreamers and changemakers with the youth and their sponsors that spent a week with me and our phenomenal interns.
I was at peak excitement during the second week, during the trip with Old Mission UMC. Each morning they acted out our scriptures with joy, they cheered each other on at service sites, and they engaged deeply. But most of all, I was impressed and moved by the deep conversations that I noticed happening even when we weren’t in programming, that quickly switched back and forth to silly-ness and laughter.
Each Tuesday in Bentonville, we worked with New Beginnings NWA, a nonprofit that provides community, support, and housing to people who have been chronically unhoused. We learned from the people living in that community, as two of them (Tom and Craig) guided us around a nearby park and camp. We handed out water bottles, bug spray, and dog food. Many people in our world believe unhoused people that own pets are selfish and cannot provide a good life for their animal. I couldn’t disagree more! Having a pet is something that everyone should have the chance to experience! And many unhoused people do – their dog is more than just a pet, but a companion in life.
Nathan, one of the Old Mission adult leaders, is a veterinarian back home. As the youth were swarming the many dogs we saw, asking their human’s questions, he looked at every single dog and cat and performed a quick check-up. This moment of sharing his skill and talent, completely unasked, was heartwarming – but even more heartwarming was that every animal he cared for was in great health!
One conversation that they kept bringing up was the importance of Social Capital. We spent our full Wednesday working with Circles NWA, a chapter of a national organization. This organization pairs our neighbors living in poverty with 2 allies. The first person is the Circle Leader, bringing their expert experience, while the 2 allies serve as cheerleaders and encouragers. We learned about the Cliff Effect and how as people get higher paying jobs, they end up netting less income as benefits disappear. That’s when Social Capital is so important!
We had a great conversation thinking about the connections and privileges that we might have, and how it has helped us already in life. And then, every time that any kind of connection or example of Social Capital came up, they would point it out with joy!
As someone who works in youth ministry every day, I know that the youth are not just the future of the church. They are the church embodied here and now, and our role as youth leaders is to get out of the way and let them lead. Our groups do that every week at each Be The Neighbor site, as they are equipped to live lives of love, service, and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming. I cannot wait to see what each of the groups that came to Bentonville accomplish as they lead us with love and joy into the Kin-dom of God, here on earth.
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