A People | A Purpose | A Plan
A restored Cherokee-style log home in North Carolina
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A clear move of God is now underway that has created a great need for mentoring Native American leaders in a cultural contextual approach who will reap the harvest that is to come. The Woodleys have the experience and desire to develop and run such a ministry school, but more than that, they have a mandate from God.
For over 500 years Native Americans have been told by missionaries that their culture is inferior to that of the Europeans who settled America, and that they must abandon their "Indian-ness" in order to be accepted by God. Even today, with proof that it is outdated and ineffective, most Native churches and Bible colleges still subscribe to this paternalistic philosophy. The result of this cultural genocide is that only a small percentage of all Native Americans claim to follow Jesus. There are very few Native American ministry schools which even recognize cultural contextual ministry as vital to bringing Indians to Jesus. The Woodley's approach utilizes their own Native American values and learning styles. This Ministry Center will be the first of its kind!
Randy and Edith Woodley have been ministering together using cultural contextual methods for many years. Eagle's Wings Ministry is known as one of the most successful Indian ministries today in bringing traditional Native Americans into a relationship with Jesus Christ. In partnership with the Contextual Indian Ministries Alliance (CIMA) and other ministry networks who support culturally contextual ministry, the Southeast Native American Ministry Center will provide short term training and life long mentoring relationships with those who seek to minister among Native Americans using the fresh and innovative model called "Ministry, in a Good Way." Students will be taught and mentored by some of the most successful Native leaders in ministry today.
Eagle's Wings Ministry belongs to a network of like minded churches and ministries called the Contextual Indian Ministry Alliance (CIMA). With this vital network in place the Woodleys are able to draw upon many other resources that are needed to provide students with a great educational opportunity. CIMA fully endorses and supports the efforts of the Woodleys in the creation of the Southeast Native American Ministry Center and partners with them in these efforts.
"MINISTRY, IN A GOOD WAY" offers a credible witness of Jesus Christ among Native Americans that affirms tribal cultures while ministering in all areas of life. It is a fresh model of dynamic contextual wholism for the development of Native North American churches and ministries. Eagle's Wings Ministry in partnership with the Contextual Indian Ministry Alliance, will teach and promote this innovative approach through the Southeast Native American Ministry Center. The motto for The Center is...
"short term mentoring - life-long relationships" |
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At the Southeast Native American Ministry Center students will learn the culturally contextual model for ministry known as "Ministry, in a Good Way" and begin mentoring relationships with some of the most successful Christian leaders in Native North American ministry today. Through the Contextual Indian Ministry Alliance and other native networks students will have the needed support to make a real difference through Jesus Christ in what was in the past the very difficult field of Indian ministry.
After untold millions of missions dollars and hundreds of years of missionary service the result is that only a mere 3-5% of all Native Americans are identifiably Christian. It is time to abandon the old model of missions among Native Americans and develop a fresh approach that not only works but reproduces itself in a healthy, whole-life way!
The culturally sensitive approach used by the Woodleys and a few others produces results! One couple in Denver Colorado had been pastoring a Native American congregation for six years and had the same meager results as nearly all ministers in Indian country. After a 10 day consultation with Randy & Edith the couple, already eager to do native ministry in a contextual way began five new native fellowships in just six months! They have introduced Jesus to more traditional Native Americans in one year than they had in the past six years. And most importantly, these new believers are finding a fuller life in Christ because for the first time they are seeing Jesus as one who accepts them as He made them!
The results of American colonization have been devastating to our Native American people. Unfortunately, Native Americans lead the U.S. in some vital statistics by having the highest rates of...
- alcoholism
- teen suicide
- high school drop out
- infant mortality
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- suicide
- teen pregnancy
- unemployment
- diabetes
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While Native North Americans have the lowest...
- education attainment level
- per capita income
- standard of living
The Woodleys know that Jesus Christ makes a real difference in Native American families and tribes when culturally sensitive, whole-life approaches are used in ministry.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt 9:36-38
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There are many respected people today who have been prophesying that it will be the Native Americans who will help lead this country into the next (and perhaps last) great revival, resulting in the greatest harvest for Jesus ever known. Many church leaders, unaware of the age-old Cherokee prophecy, have been praying for the Cherokees - believing they will lead the way in this move of God.
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In the words of Dr. Billy Graham,
"The greatest moments of Native history may lie ahead of us if a great spiritual renewal and awakening should take place.
The Native American has been a sleeping giant.....He is awakening.
The original Americans could become the evangelists who will help win America for Christ!
Remember these forgotten people!"
The Rev. Billy Graham
Please pray and ask the Lord what you and your
church or organization can do to support The
Southeast Native American Ministry Center...
          
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