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MINISTRIES
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Welcome to the
Ministries page of our website!
When we minister to the Native in his
community and equip the Native to reach that community from within,
he has the potential to minister more effectively than an outsider
can. Jesus sent His disciples into the villages to minister to
people where they lived (Luke 9and 10). When an individual has had
his life transformed by Christ, we see the potential impact of that
individual ministering in his community in scriptural examples such
as the Samaritan woman in John 4:28-39 and the maniac of Gadara in
Mark 5:18-20.
Our labors in missions ought always to
be with the underlying strategy of equipping the Native for
spiritual leadership among his people. Our goal is not to pastor
the Native church, but to facilitate the establishment of leadership
which has been discipled for the calling of indigenous church
leadership. Once this goal has been realized in a community we then
begin again the process in a new location.
Our ministries in the Native community
have included the privilege of preaching in Older Adult Center
services, Backyard Bible Clubs, Wakes, Tribal Jail Ministry and
Detox Center services. Each of these outreach opportunity is unique.
Please explore these ministries in more details by clicking on the
links below.
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Tribal
Jail Ministry
The
services in the jail give us exposure to a cross-section of the
Native community. They provide extended contact with individuals at
a time of struggle and enables personal relationship-building. The
discipleship effort is aided by the individual having time to
reflect on Scriptural truth and having some isolation from certain
temptations. Our goals are to preach the Word, present the salvation
invitation, build trust, present our availability for discipleship,
and then follow up in the home. We use the New Life In Christ" Bible
Lessons and other discipleship materials for each member of the
family unit so that families may receive God’s Word with
understanding. Services and other activities at Regeneration
Reservation further enable us to disciple families in the Word. |
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Detox Center Because of the
high alcohol and growing methamphetamine abuse rate in the
reservation community, the tribe has developed a six week program
for their tribal members. We have been invited to hold weekly
services with the men and women and to present Christ as the Answer
to their need. Some of the individuals in the program are familiar
faces from contact in the jail ministry. We follow up with
individuals and their families in their homes with those requesting
further discipleship.
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Older Adult Center
The staff of this tribally-run facility
has welcomed ministry on a weekly basis with their elderly tribal
members. Our weekly services consist of singing and special music
which is greatly enjoyed by the residents and staff. A simple Bible
message is given and followed by individual visits and prayer with
each resident. This is another ministry in the Native community that
has provided additional contacts for further evangelistic and
discipleship ministry.
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Backyard Bible Clubs
Backyard Bible Clubs may occur in the backyard, front yard, under
the porch or brush arbor. This seasonal ministry is a particular
blessing because it unites the efforts of Christian Apaches with the
labors of young people who assist us in short-term summer ministry.
Native families on the reservation who are burdened to reach their
community for Christ, bring in children and often their parents and
use their home as a base to host the ministry. The short-term
missionary teens bring a program which typically consists of songs,
puppets, Bible lesson, games, and refreshments.
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Wakes
Following the death of a tribal member and
prior to the funeral, family members will gather together and hold a
wake at the home of the deceased. Friends and relatives will come to
the home and for several days assist with cooking, cutting firewood,
and renovating the house which may need to be cleaned and painted.
The wake may be held for one or two nights depending on the custom
of the reservation community. The body is brought to the home and
is surrounded by flowers and pictures of the loved one. Friends come
to pay their respects and will typically stay long into the night to
listen to special music and speakers representing area churches.
This is a unique opportunity to minister to the family in their time
of loss and to share God's message of comfort and hope in Jesus
Christ to all in the community who are in attendance. |
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