FLAME Gives Back on the Navajo Nation

A group of twenty-three FLAME students, staff, alumni, and friends from ten different churches in nine states recently completed a seven-day adventure to Red Rock Wesleyan Church near Keams Canyon, Arizona. Under the banner of “FLAME Gives Back” the team worked on nearly 50 construction, painting, and repair projects. Members of the team also led ladies Bible studies, VBS, and classes in knitting, quilting, and craft making. The team included specialists in auto repair, roofing, electrical, carpentry, and children’s ministry.

The group also held worship services and provided meals for attendees of the church and several from the community. Pastor Darwin Tsosie, a FLAME student, is the pastor of this church on the Navajo reservation. Major projects included repairing and replacing the roofs on two church buildings and the pastor’s home, repairing the electrical wiring in the church, building two outhouses (the church has no running water or regular electrical service), painting both church buildings, installing curtains, repairing damaged drywall, building shelves, repairing vehicles and installing a fan and light fixtures in Pastor Darwin’s home.

The team was drawn together by the common purpose of “giving back “ to a fellow FLAME student in the same measure that FLAME students have been blessed by those who teach them and invest in them at FLAME events. Individuals from the Christ Center Wesleyan Church in Sedona, Arizona, provided shuttle transportation, housing, and logistical support for the team members arriving by airplane. Wayne Richards, Director of Ministerial Preparation, served as the team leader.

Richards said, “We participated in wonderful community and fellowship during the trip and have made some strong new friendships.” Additional pictures are available on FLAME’s Facebook site.

This article, written by Wayne Richards, was originally posted at www.wesleyan.org.