April 7, 2014
The only other Arlo whom I have ever heard of is Arlo Guthrie who has curly hair and sang songs that I agreed with. Growing up with a name like “Ng,” I can just imagine what Arlo Reichter might have had to weather growing up. But to be at this end of a lifetime, Arlo Reichter has persevered and has finished the race.
My first encounter with Arlo was more than 35 years ago when I was at EM and Arlo was at First Baptist, LA. Arlo served on countless national youth conference staff teams. His gift to us was in administration. When we were planning the national gathering of American Baptist youth every three years, Arlo was a shoe-in member on the management team because we valued his insights, objectivity and most of all clear thinking. When some of us were caught up with the excitement and dramatics of 3000 youth and adult leaders at one event, Arlo was brilliant to identify potential dangers and risks present. With all those under our responsibilities and potential liabilities knocking at the door, who else would I want but to have Arlo Reichter on the management team. As far as I know, we have never been sued!
As the result of Arlo’s gifts, perhaps the most memorable experience that I had with Arlo is when he served on the team of the 1982 Youth Mission Encounter in Thailand. Over 30 years ago, we didn’t have anything close to the convenience of traveling overseas or even the confidence of sending high school youth to go to the jungles of a foreign country that we have today. Twenty-nine youth, one from each participating region and 6 adults spent 2 weeks in Thailand meeting our ABC missionaries, planting coffee plants, teaching VBS and at one point, 3 small groups lived in Lahu and Karen villages for a week apart from each other. I would never have attempted such a potentially high-risk youth encounter if I didn’t have the insights and advice from Arlo Reichter.
I suspect that there is no one in the ABC or in the world with a name like “Arlo Reichter.” And when we think of it, there is no one just like you since God has created each one of us unique and special in God’s eyes.
It took me a while to learn how to pronounce “Reichter” or to spell it correctly. You may have had that challenge too. But we are fortunate and truly blessed that we belong to a denominational family that celebrates our rich diversity so that whether our names are “Reichter” or ___, ___, ___, or “Ng,” people known as American Baptists welcome all names in the name of Jesus Christ who has made us all one.
Congratulations Arlo for having worn your very unique and special name so well that there’s probably only one “Arlo Reichter” and we are glad to have known you. As one has said about a jam, “With a name like “Arlo Reichter,” he’s got to be good!”
Benediction