In the summer of 2018, Salvador Orellana and I began a conversation about potential ideas of how to impact the Native American churches and what were some of the most pressing needs of these congregations. During our visit, I expressed my interest in learning more about the CECALI program Salvador had for Latino Ministries and developing a similar program for Native Ministries. What came out of that conversation was a consultation with Native leaders which we had in Norman, OK on November 3rd of that year. This strategic consultation was designed to draw from the needs and concerns identified in the Native community. From that meeting, those leaders outlined key areas of need and concentration they hoped we could provide through training and resources. We compiled that crucial data and prioritized the most urgent needs.
This process did not come without challenge as was our hope to have both of our Native Mission Coordinators available to work on this project. However, we were devastated during this time when our other Native Mission Coordinator, colleague, and friend Rev. Kathy Longhat lost her battle with cancer and passed from this life in December of 2018. This setback was hard to overcome but with much prayer and believing we pressed on. Over the next year, we took the necessary steps, put together the resources and navigated our way to a suitable presentation. The first area of need that emerged from this process was strategic planning. A complementary and adaptable component also developed. The training tools are not just specifically designed for one cultural group so that we can offer this to more of our churches and ministries connected to Intercultural Ministries and ABHMS.
After a year and a half of preparation and planning, Native Ministries presented our first Native American Leadership Training Series on March 13, 2020, at Bethany Baptist Church in Clarkdale, AZ. Which is one of our Native American Baptist churches. On March 11th, we set out for Arizona looking forward to the opportunity to connect with churches from the Arizona Association with hopes of impacting them for the glory of God.
This journey did not come without significant challenges throughout and gave us cause for trepidation and concern. As we went we followed closely the pandemic spread of the coronavirus checking updates on the hour making sure we were taking precaution and also hoping to fulfill our mission to provide this training. This threat pushed us to the limit as dominoes began to fall. Multiple National events changed rapidly on March 11th and by the 12th the Arizona Association made the decision to cancel the annual gathering they had planned at Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, AZ on March 14th. We had planned our training in conjunction with the gathering. After significant discussion, we chose by faith to press on knowing that our training would not gather a large crowd and Arizona was yet to have a large breakout of the virus. We also checked with the leaders of the area to make sure they had no concerns. They assured us they were not worried about it and we persevered.
The day was amazing as we connected and worked with two Native churches, Redstone Baptist Church of Anadarko, OK and Bethany Baptist Church of Clarkdale, AZ. We were also joined by two Latino churches, Monte Vista Cross-Cultural Church of Phoenix and Iglesia Bautista de Glendale, AZ. Throughout the training, they were able to draw significant value in the resources and we worked hard to provide an interactive experience. All in all it was a success as the feedback from those church leaders was very positive. They shared how they were able to take actionable tools and resources back home with them to implement right away.
Re-examining the road it took to get here through the early challenges and the most recent developments of the pandemic coronavirus it is no doubt by the grace of God that we were able to accomplish this training just on the cusp of the nationwide shutdown. We are looking forward by faith believing that this is the start of a foundational shift in the work of Native American Ministries as well as the collaborative space to influence in diverse settings.
We were greatly encouraged to see the potential impact this training could provide. Our next steps will be to diligently follow up with these leaders and continue to provide guidance and resources to cultivate this new program. We are also eager for the next opportunity to present to another group of Intercultural church leaders to expand the reach of the series. The next planned training will occur on June 6th, 2020 at the Anadarko Christian Center in Anadarko, OK. Followed by another at First Crow Indian Baptist Church in Lodge Grass, MT.
If your church/ministry is looking for some new tools and resources that could kick start your planning then check out this new training offering. Drop me an email at [email protected] or contact me through Ministrelife.
In the summer of 2018, Salvador Orellana and I began a conversation about potential ideas of how to impact the Native American churches and what were some of the most pressing needs of these congregations. During our visit, I expressed my interest in learning more about the CECALI program Salvador had for Latino Ministries and developing a similar program for Native Ministries. What came out of that conversation was a consultation with Native leaders which we had in Norman, OK on November 3rd of that year. This strategic consultation was designed to draw from the needs and concerns identified in the Native community. From that meeting, those leaders outlined key areas of need and concentration they hoped we could provide through training and resources. We compiled that crucial data and prioritized the most urgent needs.
This process did not come without challenge as was our hope to have both of our Native Mission Coordinators available to work on this project. However, we were devastated during this time when our other Native Mission Coordinator, colleague, and friend Rev. Kathy Longhat lost her battle with cancer and passed from this life in December of 2018. This setback was hard to overcome but with much prayer and believing we pressed on. Over the next year, we took the necessary steps, put together the resources and navigated our way to a suitable presentation. The first area of need that emerged from this process was strategic planning. A complementary and adaptable component also developed. The training tools are not just specifically designed for one cultural group so that we can offer this to more of our churches and ministries connected to Intercultural Ministries and ABHMS.
After a year and a half of preparation and planning, Native Ministries presented our first Native American Leadership Training Series on March 13, 2020, at Bethany Baptist Church in Clarkdale, AZ. Which is one of our Native American Baptist churches. On March 11th, we set out for Arizona looking forward to the opportunity to connect with churches from the Arizona Association with hopes of impacting them for the glory of God.
This journey did not come without significant challenges throughout and gave us cause for trepidation and concern. As we went we followed closely the pandemic spread of the coronavirus checking updates on the hour making sure we were taking precaution and also hoping to fulfill our mission to provide this training. This threat pushed us to the limit as dominoes began to fall. Multiple National events changed rapidly on March 11th and by the 12th the Arizona Association made the decision to cancel the annual gathering they had planned at Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, AZ on March 14th. We had planned our training in conjunction with the gathering. After significant discussion, we chose by faith to press on knowing that our training would not gather a large crowd and Arizona was yet to have a large breakout of the virus. We also checked with the leaders of the area to make sure they had no concerns. They assured us they were not worried about it and we persevered.
The day was amazing as we connected and worked with two Native churches, Redstone Baptist Church of Anadarko, OK and Bethany Baptist Church of Clarkdale, AZ. We were also joined by two Latino churches, Monte Vista Cross-Cultural Church of Phoenix and Iglesia Bautista de Glendale, AZ. Throughout the training, they were able to draw significant value in the resources and we worked hard to provide an interactive experience. All in all it was a success as the feedback from those church leaders was very positive. They shared how they were able to take actionable tools and resources back home with them to implement right away.
Re-examining the road it took to get here through the early challenges and the most recent developments of the pandemic coronavirus it is no doubt by the grace of God that we were able to accomplish this training just on the cusp of the nationwide shutdown. We are looking forward by faith believing that this is the start of a foundational shift in the work of Native American Ministries as well as the collaborative space to influence in diverse settings.
We were greatly encouraged to see the potential impact this training could provide. Our next steps will be to diligently follow up with these leaders and continue to provide guidance and resources to cultivate this new program. We are also eager for the next opportunity to present to another group of Intercultural church leaders to expand the reach of the series. The next planned training will occur on June 6th, 2020 at the Anadarko Christian Center in Anadarko, OK. Followed by another at First Crow Indian Baptist Church in Lodge Grass, MT.
If your church/ministry is looking for some new tools and resources that could kick start your planning then check out this new training offering. Drop me an email at [email protected] or contact me through Ministrelife.