Native American ministry is uniquely different from Cru's model of ministry. For one, "Life is lived through relationships," as Mark Charles would tell us. Native American ministry is doing life within Native American communities. Donnie & Renee has been on staff for over 10 years in Cru. They started "Nations" in 2004 on the campus of … Continue reading Renee on Native American Ministry
I AM FROM
People love to be known and understood. When we introduce ourselves to others, what are the informational pieces that we usually share about ourselves? Our name and our occupation are usually the first things we may share given the context. We try to place ourselves the best way we can to be understood and in … Continue reading I AM FROM
One Year Later: Dakota Access Pipeline
Sacred Stone Camp was the first site for water protectors who went to try and stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Sacred Stone Camp is a few miles North of Cannonball, ND on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The pipeline was approved to be built on land considered sacred by eight tribes … Continue reading One Year Later: Dakota Access Pipeline
Guidelines for Native American Ministry
1. Thank the Native person and their community for being the host. Remember whose land you are on! 2. Native people don’t always want to talk about being Native. For many it sucks to be Native. It’s not always fun to talk about the violence, alcoholism, and historical trauma of Native history. 3. Native people are proud … Continue reading Guidelines for Native American Ministry
Restore / Nurture / Serve
RESTORE (Win in Cru) Helping students find restoration in light of disharmony with Creator, others, and self (Galatians 6:1; Psalm 23:3). Restoration is a holistic view that refers not only to the ‘spiritual’ afterlife, but life in the here and now on earth (Matthew 6:10). Restoration is a journey, and we invite others into that … Continue reading Restore / Nurture / Serve
Nations: Vision, Mission & Values.
We approach Nations vision, mission and values as holistic. They are all intricately interconnected to everything we do in our personal life, and in ministry. Nations is about building relationships everywhere so that everyone know knows someone who is Native and a follower of Jesus. In the power of the Holy Spirit we hope to … Continue reading Nations: Vision, Mission & Values.
Nations Ministry: Discipleship
Discipleship in the Native American context needs to built upon a relationship where trust has been established. Too often Christian staff workers believe they have automatic authority over Native American college students they are working with. Without trust the Christian staff worker is an outsider with no authority to speak into the life of the … Continue reading Nations Ministry: Discipleship
My Indian Car
In November of 2017, several organizations collaborated and put on the Would Jesus Eat Frybread Conference in Anchorage, AK. Nations, Invervaristy, the Covenant Youth of Alaska, and Mark Charles helped create a space to discuss if Jesus would eat what has become a delicacy in Indian country, frybread. Mark Charles, Navajo writer, speaker, blogger, activist … Continue reading My Indian Car
It’s Pow Wow Time!
My family has had a tradition of coming to the New Mexico State Fair, but not so much for the fried foods, or to see prize winning vegetables, but for the Pow Wow. When entering Indian Village there is the smell of Indian Tacos fills the air, and sound of the drum and bells of … Continue reading It’s Pow Wow Time!
“Mutton Bone”
Butchering a sheep is a family event. Relatives come from near and far to have a taste of mutton. Navajo's have adopted sheep into their very way of life, and even use it in ceremonies. The sheep were brought over a couple of hundred years ago by Europeans. Either by way of trade or stealing … Continue reading “Mutton Bone”
