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New Ministry Initiative: Lutheran Indian Ministries

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Today, the Board of Directors of Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S. announces a new ministry initiative: Lutheran Indian Ministries.  The name for the ministry initiative was selected to accurately portray the organization’s mission of sharing Christ’s Kingdom with Native American People for ministry to their own and to others.

As a ministry with Native American leadership and an emphasis on raising up Native people for service in the church, the new initiative will expand public outreach and open doors for more Gospel outreach to American Indian, Alaskan Native, and First Nations people.  According to Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Don Johnson (Makah), a major aspect of the initiative is to provide scholarships to Native people for theological and leadership training.

 

We praise God for continuing to identify strong Native leaders with a passion for sharing His love with their people.  To date, David Sternbeck has been ordained to serve on the Olympic Peninsula; Will Main and Park Timber are both in their last year of ordination training through the Ethic Immigrant Institute of Theology; Cathy and Tom Benzler are in their third year of deaconess and deacon training respectively; and Patricia Main is currently in leadership training.

Dr. Johnson notes that the board and staff envision “the day when all nations walk together in the light of Christ:

  • receiving forgiveness and salvation in Christ
  • proclaiming the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that touches the people at the point of their need
  • gaining self-worth as children of God who created each one uniquely for His purpose
  • thriving in stable and healthy families and communities with empowered leaders who are blessing, healing, and discipling
  • embracing the uniqueness of each heritage and its fulfillment in Christ
  • sharing, mutually enriching and learning from one another."

With 23 staff throughout North America, Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S. observed its 25th anniversary in 2010 as the officially recognized Native American outreach of the Lutheran Church.  In Native communities throughout North America, staff provide Biblical counseling, facilitate Bible studies, help establish worshipping communities, conduct Vacation Bible Schools, and minister to American Indian and Alaskan Native students on the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University.

“…I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  (Revelation 7:9-10)