life in cross-cultural ministry

​While “Native American Ministry Sunday” is predominantly, if not exclusively, a special Sunday set aside by the United Methodist Church, I’m compelled to write about some of the life lessons I’ve learned/am learning as someone who is a part of a Native American ministry … Today seemed the best day to write about this because it is Native American Ministry Sunday, and this journey I’ve been on with Indian Life Ministries has been life changing. I joined ILM in mid-January of this year … honestly, the memories of the way of daily life before ILM seem to be fading. Ministry consumes me … even as I work at my other job. I will be cleaning something, and a random ministry idea comes to mind … and I start processing the ministry idea as I clean. Part of this, I believe, is the fact that I began hearing about the lives of First Nations/indigenous/Native American people groups long before January 2023. Something in me began to stir. Looking back, I believe that “stirring” was the Holy Spirit beginning to plant a seed … a seed of HOPE, HEALING, and HONOR within my own heart … about the specific purpose for which He made me. 

Being “on the inside” of a ministry … whether Native ministry or non-Native ministry … is not easy. You learn – quick, fast, and in a hurry – that FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game. Some days are just “EGR DAYS.” What’s an EGR DAY? Extra Grace Required Day! Working full-time along with my role with Indian Life has taught me that there’s a fine line called BALANCE that I must walk. How have I been doing with that one? I’m getting better, but I do live by 2 paper planners and my iPad’s calendar!

Native American Ministry has changed my worldview and continues to change it … from a colonial American Christian worldview to a more biblical worldview. A worldview that says that repentance for the sins of my country, the sins of my ancestors, the sins of those who profess/professed to be Christians is NOT an unbiblical concept. One that says all life matters … even those who are socially, religiously, or culturally different than me. One that honors the unique people groups of this world without compromising the truth of sacred Scripture … and learning to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in culturally relevant ways. THIS was missing from the foundation of my faith … Honestly, it grieves me because it is still missing in many ways in MY native culture. I believe it’s missing due to honest ignorance, in most cases. A narrative was taught and believed many decades ago … and it has never been challenged against the pages of Scripture.

Very few people dare to challenge tradition, even if they know it goes against Scripture. How I long for the day when Scripture truly triumphs over man-made traditions, especially among those of us who bear the name of Christ!

I know my Director Team can testify to this (and they can share their story), but ministry reveals that you are NOT in charge of your calling in life. Yes, the Lord equips and gives us a vision … but the LORD has ultimate veto power over the details of how we live our specific calling out. I’ve posted about this before … but I never dreamed I’d be a part of a Native American ministry. I had my heart set on moving to Tbilisi, Georgia … permanently. My heart was set. I was starting to get my affairs in order here at home … holding onto the statement: “I’m going but I’m willing to stay.” A statement of resolute surrender to the ultimate will of God … and through the providence of God, it became clear that I couldn’t move to Tbilisi. Within a few short months of this realization, the LORD opened the door for me to become a part of Indian Life Ministries. I am, eternally, grateful that He did! 

My prayer is that you and I will never become hardened to the directional changes the Lord brings about in our lives. It is for our good and for His glory! All throughout Scripture, we are reminded that we make plans, but it is the LORD who directs our steps.

When I joined Indian Life Ministries in January, a battle like I’ve never encountered began to ensue … my health broke in ways it never had before, financial issues that I couldn't understand, my vehicle began to have major issues, relationship issues were getting worse no matter what I did … A few friends rallied around me to explain about spiritual warfare. Decisions I was making to follow Jesus were not making the enemy of my soul happy. Satan cannot possess a child of God … but he sure can harass and oppress the child of God! How was I supposed to fight the enemy of my soul?? How I praise God for the people He put in my life ... people who continue to say: "This is the way, walk in it." They continue to point me to this path ... when Satan tries to obscure it. With practical lifestyle changes, a consistent diet of being in the Word for myself, remaining obedient to “the next thing” that God had me to do … Satan hasn’t gotten the upper hand. We are told in Scripture that we are to be on the alert. Hold fast. Be steadfast in faithfulness. And God continues to provide … I’ve seen this more in the last 3 months than I could ever describe. Food from “out of the blue” being provided. A different, more reliable vehicle provided. My health slowly being restored. The love that the Father has poured out in my life these last few months has been incredibly humbling. Recently, I asked a couple I know and love (& who love me) why the LORD would do all of this for someone like me. One word: LOVE.

May we never forget where He’s brought us from … We are pilgrims on this created ball … headed for Heaven. And we are to walk each other home! May you and I be true, honorable representatives of the Father’s sacrificial love to those around us … no matter who they are!

Those who know me, who read this blog, etc. will understand this … but one of the most practical life lessons that being a part of Indian Life Ministries has taught me is that there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS room for growth in those areas of our lives that could be considered “talents” … for me, it is writing and photography. Part of my role in working with Indian Life is helping edit various documents, being a content creator, researcher, etc. I recently discovered that I’d gotten lazy in honing my skillset for writing. How thankful I am for the people who have pushed me beyond what I thought I could do … to allow God to begin squeezing out of me more of what He put into me. The same is true of my photography … while my photography hasn’t made its way into life with Indian Life Ministries, yet … the same principle of growing my skillset applies. And what’s the point? Simple. THE GLORY OF GOD!

One of the most REFRESHING things that Native American ministry has taught me is that true, biblical reconciliation is possible! I am privileged to hear and read the stories. We receive many letters, emails, and phone calls testifying to the reconciliation of husbands to wives, parents to children, nations to nations, and individuals to Jesus Christ … the common thread in EVERY ONE of these testimonies? The cross of Christ. Reconciliation and unity (NOT uniformity) are occurring. Amid some very personal situations, the LORD continues to use the ministry of Indian Life to minister His healing to my own heart … reminding me that HE is able to bring reconciliation and unity … to/with people who possess softened, willing hearts. I must stay willing.

May you and I never be so hardened by life that we refuse to be reconciled to a fellow Christian. We are to be Christ’s witnesses … We end up violating so many commands of Scripture when we refuse to be reconciled to one another. Scripture never says that the world will know us by how well we preach or teach or serve … it says that the world will know us by our LOVE! (see John 13:35)

The future looks incredibly busy … but gloriously blessed! If God can do and teach so many deep, soul-penetrating lessons is a few short months, I can only imagine what the future holds! The LORD has provided all of the funding for me to be able to go be a part of our conference in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in September of this year … I couldn’t be more thankful! To be a part of this ministry conference and then to have a bit of down time to rest and play … and of course, take some pictures! 

My cup overflows! 
His mercies abound!
​Soli Deo Gloria!

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