 Greetings! Last Saturday, I attended a Native min-
istry conference called The Gathering of Nations 2009, in Crystal Lake, IL.
Several prominent Native Christian leaders spoke, including Gordon Thayer, Craig Smith, and Raymond Dunton. Non-Native speakers who are active in Native ministry included Ron Hutchcraft and Don DeHart.
While the speakers acknowledged the challenges in Native ministry - illustrated by the fact that as little as three to five percent of Natives follow Christ - they were also greatly encouraged by what God is doing right now in Native communities across North America.
They believe we're on the cusp of a breakthrough, and that we'll see a great revival among Native North Americans in this generation - one that will ripple throughout the world.
Over the next few issues of WNAM e-News, I'll share some of the key insights I learned from the speakers at this conference...and why they're so hopeful that breakthrough is near.
I am energized by their vision, and grateful that we can share in that revival thanks to your continued support.
In Christ,  Rich Avery Director |
| Ron Hutchcraft - North America's First Mission Field is its Greatest Missions Frontier |
These are my notes from Ron Hutchcraft's opening remarks at The Gathering of The Nations 2009, on Saturday, May 16, 2009 in Crystal Lake, IL. I was encouraged by Ron's belief that revival will happen in this generation, and that he affirmed WNAM's renewed focus on Native leadership development as being a key component of the coming revival. - Rich Avery
 The North American church has more spiritual resources and blessings than any other people in history. But the original people of this continent have very little.
How can we do a better job of dis-
tributing the resources of the body of Christ where they are so desperately needed - in Native communities?
Native youth are the most devastated people in North America, illustrated by an extremely high rate of suicide, which is four to five times the national average in both the U.S. and Canada.
2000 years ago Jesus said the gospel must be preached to all nations. The original Greek word for nations is "ethnoi", which means people groups. There are over 600 Native nations, or people groups in the US and Canada...and yet so few disciples.
The first mission field on this continent remains the greatest missions frontier on this continent.
The first light of a breakthrough is beginning to dawn among this generation. This generation has the potential of being the first Jesus generation among Native peoples...with indigenous leaders leading their own people to Christ.
God's plan for the breakthrough is us - as we help to resource and equip those Native leaders.
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Not Too Late for Summer Work Teams!
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There is still time for you or your church to organize a work team to serve with Native Wesleyan churches in South Dakota and Arizona.
Help is needed with building maintenance and improvements, community outreach, VBS and more.
Contact us at 616.456.0097 or rich@wnam.org to learn how you can get involved.
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