TBG & An Arm Around
By Partner Phil Stevenson
Pee Wee Reese played shortstop for the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers from 1940 to 1958. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he joined the Dodgers organization in 1947. Pee Wee befriended the rookie. Reese didn’t view Robinson as a black man, but a man who deserved respect as any other human being should.
On May 13, 1947, the Dodgers were playing in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Cincinnati fans were giving Robinson a particularly tough time as the Dodgers took the field in the bottom of the first. In a show of support, Reese temporarily left his position at shortstop and traveled over to Robinson at first base and put his arm around the rookie, silencing the crowd, which was awed by the act of racial empathy by Reese, a popular All-Star from nearby Kentucky.”[1]
It seemed a small gesture by Reese, but it made a huge impact. The impact made in that moment, and the impact it carried with it on the larger landscape of baseball.
Pee Wee Reese puts his arm around Jackie Robinson
Every person has times when another person is needed to come alongside and drape their arm around their shoulder. A simple sign of support and encouragement. And there are times, we need to be the one to offer the arm around someone else’s shoulder.
This is what I have found in my connection with The Barnabas Group. It is a group of people who genuinely care for one another. We regularly put an arm around each other. This draped arm is both both physical and metaphorical.
The ‘arm around’ happens with…
Verbal words of encouragement
A text of appreciation
An email letting someone know you are thinking and praying for them
A Facebook post of affirmation
Highlighting the value of The Barnabas Group on LinkedIn
A Direct Message of thanks
An actual handwritten letter
A phone call
Investing in non-profits through consulting and coaching
I don’t think I have ever attended any Barnabas function without having someone putting an ‘arm around.’ An ‘arm around’ may not seem like much, but it could change everything.
About The Author: Phil Stevenson
Phil retired from ministry leadership within the Wesleyan Church in July 2023. In his 48 years of ministry, he has pastored three churches. He served in various denominational positions, including District Youth President and Director of Church Planting for the Pacific Southwest District, Western Area Youth Director, District Superintendent of the Wisconsin District, and Assistant District Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District. At retirement, he was serving as District Superintendent.
Phil has an undergraduate degree from San Diego State University in Psychology, a graduate degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, and a Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology.
He has written seven books: The I in Team: The Leader’s Impact on Effective Systems (2025), You Can Do More Than You Think You Can (2024), The Ripple Church: Multiplying Churches, Five Things Anyone Can Do To Lead Effectively, Five Things Anyone Can Do To Start a New Church, Five Things Anyone Can Do To Help Their Church Grow, and How to Become a Ripple Church. He co-authored, with Dr. Gary McIntosh, Building the Body: 12 Characteristics of a Fit Church.
He and his wife Joni, live in Roseville. They have three grown kids and 8 grandkids.