Spring Transformation

The winter is over, and spring is here!  I’m not just talking about a change in temperature on the outside.  I’m talking about a change in the spiritual temperature in the hearts of Native people across North America.

At a gathering of Native ministry leaders I attended last year, many expressed their fervent belief that we will see a revival in Native communities in this generation.  And what’s the reason why?  They believe it is because of the increasing numbers of Native disciples and leaders who are reaching their own people for Christ.

I wish you could have been with me over the last month as I traveled to South Dakota, Wisconsin and Arizona.  When I met with our Native ministry partners in each location, I could feel their excitement as they shared stories of how God is breaking through the spiritual darkness and warming hearts that had long been cold to Him.

The reason why is straight out of Isaiah 61:1-4, where one person goes out to share the good news, through word and deed, with broken and hurting people.  And if there was ever a broken and hurting people, it’s the Native people.  Through this one person’s effort, a few lives are forever changed.

Then these newly-changed people, through their own personal testimony of what God has done in their lives to exchange their brokenness and despair for His beauty and joy, become a force that transforms their entire community.  As the scripture says, “they will rebuild the ancient ruins that have been devastated for generations.”  Again, if there was ever a people whose culture has been devastated for generations, it’s the Native people

Sadly, it took the Christian church a long time to discover that the gospel cannot take root and fully mature in Native cultures if we continue to perpetuate the missionary mindset without raising up indigenous leaders.

We learned this lesson much quicker overseas than it did here at home:  Cultures and communities aren’t transformed from the outside, but from the inside.

That’s why Wesleyan Native Ministries empowers Native leaders across North America to transform their communities through compassionate outreaches, economic and community development, leadership development, and church resourcing and multiplication.

But we can’t do it without your help! We rely on the generosity and partnership of people like you – people who have a heart and passion for reaching Native people for Christ.

Would you prayerfully join with us by making a financial investment in our ministry today?

Your gift will help support Native pastors and churches in several low-income communities, sponsor effective Native-led community outreaches, equip new Native pastors and leaders, and help develop new economic development models that help improve the livelihood of Native people in communities where unemployment is often 80-90%.

To give your gift online via debit card, credit card, or electronic check, please go to www.wesleyannativeministries.org/giving.  Thanks for standing with us!