…a fledgling organization founded by a young Christian man and his wife underscores the connection between animal welfare and religion.
by Michelle Buckalew, Best Friends Animal SocietyBen DeVries is a spiritual young man who lives with his wife, Cheryl, in the southern part of Wisconsin and who has recently founded an organization,
not one sparrow, which is dedicated to being a voice for animals and their welfare grounded in the Christian worldview. Ben and Cheryl, an elementary school teacher, share their home with their four beautiful cats, who he states have been instrumental in his growing love and concern for animals.
This deep and reflective thinker states as part of the mission of
not one sparrow: "We believe that animals are God’s creations, each one a unique being and testimony to grace and loved very much by their creator. As humans created in God's image we are meant to model his appreciation and concern for animals, and as Christians we are called to participate in the care and redemption of all creatures: great and small, domesticated and wild, significant and disregarded." So how did this young Christian man come to this particular place in the world today? This thoughtful man, who is so committed to change the world's social consciousness for the animals, was grounded early on in spirituality. Let us begin by looking back to Ben's childhood. It is there we see that young Ben was brought up by parents-both missionaries- who attended the
Moody Bible Institute.
Being raised in a deeply spiritual family, Ben certainly was taught about God's love for all of Creation but actually did not live around many animals. As a young boy, Ben often heard his mother singing
All Things Bright and Beautiful and would later rediscover the hymn while reading the works of famed British veterinarian, James Herriot.
When he was eleven years old, Ben and his family moved to Holland, and that is where he would spend the next five years of his life. While it was an important chapter in his life, he was happy to return to America. He would eventually make the decision to enter college, specifically the Moody Bible Institute. And, it can be said that it would be in his college years that a tiny orange and white kitten would be the catalyst in his life that would one day set his vision,
not one sparrow, into motion. This little cat would open his eyes to something wondrous that speaks to unconditional love.
While learning about this tiny little kitten's innocent love, Ben also was reading books on animal welfare, including Matthew Scully's book,
Dominion: The Power of Men, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy. That book, along with other experiences, including seeing the movie, Amazing Grace, began to open up Ben's eyes more to the need for his own contribution to share his faith and belief in the need for significant change in the manner of how we treat the precious animals. Ben believes that each animal is unique, and that is surely is an important conclusion in understanding these mystical creatures.
Not long ago Ben did graduate from Moody Bible Institute with a BA in Biblical Studies. He just completed his capstone project on a Christian foundation for animal welfare at
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, working towards an MA in Christian Studies. His paper
Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten: A Biblical-Theological Foundation for Animal Welfare can be read on his website and could be one of the most provocative and important pieces you will read on our responsibity to be good stewards to the animals.
His new website,
not one sparrow, is one in which he states is a work in progress and which he devotes as much time as possible to whenever possible. He is indeed moving forward and is very much enthusiastic about growing his organization and reaching a wider audience.
Ben says he knows that he has a calling to bring animal advocacy to both the Christian and mainstream communities. This is similar to the mission of
A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion --- bringing the message of kindness and compassion to people of faith who love animals. He want to enlighten others about God's concern for animals. While both he and Cheryl have evangelical roots, they are intent on working "within the broader stream of Christian orthodoxy." Ben has a vision of a more compassionate world...one of which people of faith understand the precious animals, who deserve peace and who need our complete understanding and love.
What you can do:1. Visit
not one sparrow:http://www.notonesparrow.com/home/2. Email Ben DeVries
ben@notonesparrow.com
3. Sign up for
not one sparrow monthly updates.
http://www.notonesparrow.com/connect/4. Read
not one sparrow blogs.
http://www.notonesparrow.com/blog/5. Join the Animals & Religion Network Community to stay informed on the latest happenings. Also, show YOUR compassion for animals; read and endorse A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion at
http://www.bestfriends.org/signprocBottom photo courtesy of the DeVries. See Ben, holding one their four cats who he and wife Cheryl lovingly share their home.