pine ridge sign
Multiplying Native Believers, Leaders and Churches Across North America
In This Issue
Memorial Giving
Prayer Requests
Christmas Outreaches
Quick Links
Subscribe to
WNAM e-News
Join Our Mailing List
Donate Online
Click Here to Give to WNAM
Recommended Reading
Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes
Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes

by Carl Waldman

Our Price: $11.98
List Price:  $21.95
Paperback


This reference discusses more than 200 American Indian tribes of North America, arranged alphabetically by tribe or group.

It includes the historical record regarding locations, migrations, contacts with non-Indians, wars, and more, including present-day tribal affairs and issues.  Also includes traditional Indian lifeways, including diet, housing, transportation, tools, clothing, art, and religion.

Memorial Gifts Keep Legacies Alive
For many years, instead of giving gifts to each other, the family of the late Walter and Fleta Parks have made gifts in their memory to organizations the Parks supported when they were alive.

This year, the family gave their gifts to WNAM. We thank the Parks family and all those who honor the memory of loved ones with special gifts to WNAM, to help us multiply Native believers, leaders and churches across North America.
Prayer Request
John LaFontaine - recently diagnosed with cancerous tumors on his heart and lungs.  John and his wife Candice are members of Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward, WI and are key leaders in ministry on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation.
WNAM e-News
January 20, 2009
rich's picture
Hello ,

The idea of "transformational" leadership has been on my mind lately, and for good reason.
  1. On Monday, the United States celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose transformational leadership inspired a nation to break down the walls of racial injustice and inequality.
  2. Today, as Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President, Americans recognize, perhaps more than ever, the transformational leadership potential that is inherent in the office of the presidency.
  3. Over the last year, WNAM has undergone significant leadership and organizational changes to reposition our ministry to better raise up the next generation of transformational Native leaders for The Wesleyan Church.
You might be asking, "What exactly is transformational leadership?"  Transformational leadership occurs when a leader takes a visionary position and inspires people to follow.  Transformational leadership calls out the best from others and motivates them to a higher level of action, commitment and morality.

Transformational leaders know now to take stock of situations and circumstances and decide on bold action.  They realize that difficult challenges demand new ways of thinking.  They know that what got us to where we are today might not get us where we need to go tomorrow.

Most importantly, transformational leaders have first been transformed themselves.  This is especially key for spiritual leaders.  We must first have our character and heart transformed by God before He can use us to help transform our church, community, and world. That's why discipleship is a key component of leadership development for WNAM and our partners.  

Thank you for your ongoing prayer and financial support, which helps us multiply transformational Native believers, leaders and churches across North America.

In Christ,

Rich Avery
Director
Successful Native Christmas Outreaches
Thank you to everyone who gave toys, clothes, cash and other gifts for our Native churches' Christmas outreaches.

Hundreds of Native families were blessed with gifts in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation, in Rapid City, in Eagle Butte, and Pierre. 

Pastor Larry Salway of He Sapa New Life Wesleyan Church in Rapid City reported that over 150 braved the extremely cold weather on December 21st to attend their Christmas Celebration and the Native Nativity program, where the children acted out the birth of Christ Lakota-style.

A holy hush came over the room during "The Drummer  Boy" song and presentation, as the chiefs (the wise men) walked in slowly carrying gifts of sweet grass, cedar, burning sage, Pendleton blanket, star quilt, and buffalo robe. True worship of baby Jesus was felt, and God's presence was there in a powerful way.  Most of the people in attendance come from very traditional Native religious backgrounds.  They heard the message so clearly, and responded very positively.
 
Following the play, Pastor Larry gave a culturally-relevant presentation of the gospel, speaking on the shepherds who responded to the news of Christ's birth.  He prayed the sinners' prayer with them, and gave them the opportunity to surrender their lives to Christ, and allow Christ to heal their pain.  God's presence was very real, and no one wanted to move after the closing prayer.

Several responded after the service and said they "got" the message of Christ for the first time.  We praise God that they are now attending worship services at He Sapa!