Haskell LIGHT
Lawrence, KS
Haskell LIGHT Receives LWML Grant
Haskell LIGHT will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012. Many people have been served by the ministry, including alumni that live across the United States and beyond. 
Since the arrival of Will and Patricia Main at Haskell LIGHT, there has been increased activity, programming and participation. With the graduation and ordination of Will in 2011, not only does the opportunity to offer Word and Sacrament to the Native Community expand the ministry, but Will is able to devote more time identifying, developing and nurturing leaders in the ministry. This means trying new ideas and walking through open doors to reach the Native community.
Will shares, “I ask our Creator to teach us how to bless others, live and love beyond our fears, and learn to walk in balance as we continue on our journey of empowering and equipping our People for Victory."
Haskell LIGHT recently received a $100,000 grant from Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) for expansion of their present ministry. The LWML grant will help fund the first phase of this expansion:
To reach Native American students at Haskell and the Native community of Lawrence and the surrounding area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, disciple them in their faith and provide leadership training opportunities to nurture, strengthen and empower them for service in the church and throughout the world.
The process will begin by identifying student leaders within the Haskell Indian Nations University community. There is a need to create a model to disciple Native students, which includes a curriculum to train “Reaching Back Teams.” This curriculum must incorporate Lutheran Theology and the Native culture. The goal is to “Equip and empower this generation of Native North Americans to bring hope, light and truth to the Nations.” Not only will these teams gain a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, but they will learn how to share the Gospel effectively to their own people — reaching back into their own communities.
This training includes how to deal with the generational atrocities and hurts the Native people have experienced. The goal is to send out one team the first year that will “take back home” what they have received.” The eventual goal is to develop a Native Leadership Institute where certification and accreditation can be obtained. Through all of the above, students will become equipped to take increased responsibility for their relationship with God in Christ and become effective witnesses on campus and in their own communities.
Specifically, the LWML grant will help by providing resources for the student "Reaching Back Teams." These resources will include training materials, seminars and travel expenses for a team to serve in a Native Community while working alongside with them and sharing Christ through a variety of outlets — whether it be for children through a VBS format, teen activity or Bible study with the elders.
"When it was announced that [Haskell LIGHT] received the grant we wept and prayed together and once again our call to Haskell Indian Nations University was confirmed by the Holy Spirit. We are so blessed to have the support of the LWML,” Patricia said.
As more students participate in activities, a vehicle is needed to provide transportation to Christian concerts, retreats and speaking engagements. This phase also addresses the need for expanding the staff to cover the additional hours that Haskell LIGHT wishes to be open and to provide part-time assistance in the office. These positions will be made available to Native American students from Haskell Indian Nations University.
The next phase of ministry expansion will provide a facility which can accommodate the expanding needs. After Will is ordained, the desire is to establish a worshipping Native Community offering Word and Sacrament not only for Haskell students and faculty, but for the greater Lawrence area as well.