August 1

President and VP join with Teen Mission Representatives at a Planning Meeting.

Exciting things are happening; and it isn’t even that Teacher Orientation is upon us, or we are anticipating a great staff retreat, or that Teen Mission reported a successful boot camp for the Navajo Youth, or that I found evidence of mice in my classroom. These are exciting times for the Navajo Christians, and I’ll let these notes from WIM’s director, Chuck Harper, tell you about the Navajo Pastors’ Summit.

“The Navajo Christian Leadership Summit will be a remarkable event. The Navajo President’s office has called for a Christian Leadership Summit, which will take place on August 19 and 20, and will be held on the Western Indian Ministries campus.

“Over 75 Navajo Pastors and Christian Leaders have been meeting for several months to plan this event! This comes as our new Navajo Nation President and Vice President have called the Christian Pastors together to stimulate an environment for collaboration and challenge the Navajo Church to be more engaged in serving each other. As the pastors and leaders have met, they have expanded on this challenge and identified some of the key issues that the Native Christian Church faces. These will be addressed at this summit.

“Words can’t explain the kind of unity and eager spiritual expectancy that has been exhibited at our [planning] meetings. In all my years of ministry here, I have never been part of such a broad spectrum of Christian Leadership who are so willing to work together and pray together with such fervency. This is a remarkable first in my years of ministry experience.

“Part of the program includes a session with the Navajo President and Vice President. (They have both openly stated that God has put them in office to help bring the Gospel to the Navajo People). Another session will address legal issues that are specific to Navajo Churches and Navajo Law.

“We will have break-out sessions on leadership, suicide prevention, marriage and family issues, Native masculinity, and a youth track.

Work teams have helped this summer.

“I [Chuck Harper, WIM Director] think this is significant for several reasons:

1. I believe that the coming of the Lord is soon! This event will help us accelerate our efforts in sharing the Gospel with the Navajo Nation!

2. This will help us return to our roots of serving and equipping the Navajo / Native Christian Church.

3. This will help us get to know many others and build relationships with those serving in God’s kingdom!

4. This helps us optimize the resources God has given us… It is no coincidence that God has placed us here in Window Rock/Tse Bonito and given us a 78+-year history.

“I hope you can see all that God is doing, and that our ministry is relevant to the needs and people we are here to serve. I count it a true joy to serve along with you.

Another school year around the corner.

“This is truly a remarkable time on God’s calendar! I am convinced that we are on the threshold of seeing God work in new and mighty ways. We must hold fast to the Word of God, be constant in our faith, and trust in HIM alone.”

Thank you for praying for us and for Western Indian Ministries.

Support: Western Indian Ministries: http://www.westernindian.org/donate2/

P.O. Box 9090, Window Rock, AZ 86515