PERSPECTIVES ON BUCKNER | ALBERT L. REYES Transformed
A
n amazing thing happens this time of year, right before our eyes. As winter turns to spring, we see a transformation of the landscape all around us. It starts slowly as the calendar turns and the
temperatures rise. Before we know it, trees are budding, grass is turning green and winter has morphed into spring. That’s often the way transformation works at Buckner. We begin
working with a child, a family, a community. The work is often slow, but the transformation is happening and then at some point, we see the change. The Bible speaks of transformation as a form of holistic renewal. In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul encourages his readers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (NIV) Charles B. Williams translates that passage, “but by the new ideals that mold your minds, continue to transform yourselves, so as to find and follow God’s will; that is, what is good, well-pleasing to him and perfect.” There is a progression implied by Paul. He is saying that transformation of the mind is needed first. “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We live in a culture that is alien to the mind of Christ. We see that
every day at Buckner. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe the people we serve actually know so little about a biblical lifestyle. That means the process of transformation starts slowly, like winter turning into spring. When we invest in the lives of those we serve at Buckner, we do
so completely, with a view to transform the whole person – body, mind and spirit; or said another way, physical, mental and spiritual. We start where the person is and work from there. In March, I had the unique privilege of assisting in the wedding
4 BUCKNER TODAY • Spring 2016
ceremony for six couples served by our Buckner Family Hope Center in Peñitas, Texas (See story on page 50). Many of the couples had lived together, some for several years, but they had never taken the step of marriage. After participating in programs through our Hope Center, each
couple began to realize the need to change their lifestyle, for each other and for their children. “I needed to change my life with kids,” Tony Gonzalez said. “I
never spent time with them and figured I was wrong. I started going to the Buckner Family Hope Center, and it helped change that.” While this issue of Buckner Today doesn’t have a particular theme
or topic related to a specific program, it does have a thread weaving throughout the pages of the magazine. That thread is transformation. Often, transformation starts with what seems like the most insignif- icant things, such as a pair of shoes, as you’ll see in Dulce’s story (page 14). Can a pair of shoes actually transform the lives of an entire family? It is important as you read these stories to remember that our
role at Buckner is simply to be God’s vehicle for his transformation. We cannot transform anyone. That is the work of God. But there is nothing more exciting than being part of his work.
Albert L. Reyes, President and CEO Buckner International Visit my blog at
www.bucknerprez.com
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