24 Days to Reflect on God's Heart for RedemptionSample

Meet Dr. Robert Cooke Buckner: An agent of redemption

These words: “Not one orphan child … but all orphan children,” are the etched epitaph on the tombstone of Dr. Robert Cooke Buckner. His tombstone is in the center of a simple burial plot in east Dallas. These final words capture the essence of an agent of redemption, par excellence, and founder of the Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas, Texas, in 1879.

If I were to select one shining contemporary example of what it means to be an agent of redemption, I’d choose Dr. Buckner, called “Father Buckner” by the orphans because of his role as a father to them. He was a shining example of conviction, compassion, and courage.

James 1:27 was the thematic verse that shaped the ministry of Father Buckner. He held high the vision of James, which says: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

So what did Father Buckner do? Raising this question opens the floodgates of one life devoted to making a difference as an agent of redemption in the world. Maybe I should’ve asked: What did he not do?

Keep in mind his life’s work was accomplished without the use of computers, email, internet, and all the modern technology that makes us more effective. Given the kind of world he lived in and given what he believed, Father Buckner went to work to transform and reform the society in which he lived.

His passion for the well-being of children drove him to begin an orphan’s home in 1879, starting in his own home before a place was built. In addition to that, he was active in race relations and equality, education, health care, reform in the human treatment of inmates, advocating for the most vulnerable in the legal and political fields, and much more – all while serving as pastor to the children at the Buckner Orphans Home.

The teachings of Jesus are at the core of everything Dr. Buckner worked to do - and continues to be done - at the core of the many ministries of Buckner International.

Reflection questions:

• What are our challenges today to live as agents of redemption, full of conviction?
• How might we live with the courage to make a difference in our communities, our counties, our country, and in nations abroad?
• What needs attention most in your community?