NBA XPLOR Residency Develops Hearts for Care and Service
VIDEOS: View our 2015-16 NBA XPLOR Overview and Spiritual Companion videos on YouTube.
At the heart of NBA XPLOR is a desire to cultivate hearts for care in young adults. How can we help young adults recognize needs at their doorsteps and then live a life of faithful response? Drawing upon our rich history of compassionate service, the National Benevolent Association continues to assist Disciples in developing supportive networks that join systemic-justice work with direct action and care.
“Our 24 Residents this year are tremendously diverse, talented, passionate, and committed,” says Rev. Bonnie Osei-Frimpong, director of NBA XPLOR. “They are united in their commitment and purpose to explore their own vocations, to support each other, and to discover where God is leading them.”
In August, NBA XPLOR welcomed the 2015-16 Residents and spiritual companions to St. Louis for a week-long orientation before everyone traveled to begin the Residency in seven host communities across the country. The XPLOR communities are rich collaborations between Disciples regions, congregations, spiritual companions, and local nonprofits serving together.
Along the way, the seven spiritual companions will work with the Residents “to put a theological understanding on what they are doing and engaged in, and how they not only work with each other, but the Church,” explains Rev. David Cartwright, senior pastor of Community Christian Church in Richardson, Texas, and spiritual companion for the Dallas XPLOR house.
This year, NBA XPLOR is building upon the program’s anti-oppression and cross-cultural communication training and implementing additional mentorship opportunities. Resources from NBA XPLOR training, mentorship, and small-group reflections guided by spiritual companions will be made available throughout the year on the NBA website.
You can follow this year’s NBA XPLOR journey on Facebook, Twitter, and our online Stories and News. The application for the 2016-17 XPLOR Residency will be available later this fall.
