Greg Bender - Mission builder
Greg Bender would much rather talk about the Wilkinson Center than about himself. Now serving his
second three-year term on the board of the ministry, he demonstrates a passion for its mission that is
matched by his time commitment.
Although he was familiar with the Wilkinson Center, he didn’t become involved until he was
approached by a friend, Thomas Smith, who previously chaired the center’s board.
“What I like is that everything is planned around helping people in need keep their dignity, giving
them a hand up instead of a hand out,” Bender said.
The Wilkinson Center was begun in 1982 at Munger Place United Methodist Church. The church’s
pastor at that time, Clayton Lewis, was motivated to action when he saw a child digging for food in a
dumpster. Today, the center’s food pantry serves the needs of 20,000 people a year, but that’s only
one of its missions.
“The center’s very successful Work Net program previously aimed to just give out leads,” Bender
noted. “We now do a six-week training program for groups of about 15 to help with interviewing,
dressing, responsibility, resumes and working on their dreams. It provides a positive influence instead
of just a bus pass and a lead for a job.”
The Wilkinson Center’s clothing room uses clothing in good condition in part to outfit people as they
interview for work. In addition, Haggar provides clothing donations appropriate for business situations.
The center also has a computer lab. Most of the equipment is donated, Bender noted.
The Safe Haven after-school program for children provides a place for latch-key kids. “We offer karate,
art, help with homework, and we just care about them,” Bender said. “We can change lives early on.”
Bender’s involvement goes far beyond the board and committees. He and his wife, Peyton, “decided
we wanted to give a Christmas party to benefit the Wilkinson Center,” he explained. “We have a
‘decadent dessert’ party, and people bring either a donation or much-needed items such as toiletries
and diapers.
“What’s great about it is that our friends and families are very giving,” he added. “It’s nice to be able
to channel some of their giving” to such an important cause.
As his last name implies, Bender is of German ancestry. He was raised in New Braunfels, which was
settled by German immigrants in the 19th century, and his father didn’t speak English until he went to
school.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Bender majored in economics.
“After working in commercial real estate for several years, I decided to follow my dream and start my
own business about eight years ago,” he said. He’s now a custom homebuilder, completing one to two
houses a year in Preston Hollow.
After the Benders moved to Dallas, they went to Northwest Bible Church for several years. Because
they live in Lakewood, they decided to look for a church in their neighborhood that better suited their
needs. He grew up in the First Protestant Church of New Braunfels, and his wife was raised
Presbyterian.
Their mixed religious background is typical of many Wilshire couples, which is why their family is
featured in Wilshire’s new ad series under the headline: “He was raised in one religious tradition; she
was raised in another. Together, they found a home at Wilshire.”
The Benders were invited to Wilshire by friends who told them about the Sunday School class Keith
Avallone was teaching at the time. Last year both were baptized, and they are now members of the
Journey Class, taught by Ed Wise.
Bender says it’s been especially rewarding to see positive changes in people touched by the Wilkinson
Center: “They feel like they’re not going anywhere and have no dreams,” he emphasized. “Getting
around good people can turn that around. I’ve heard so many testimonies of people whose lives have
been changed.