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FAQ’s
How did God guide you to this ministry?
About the time we were engaged, we started discussing our future ministry together. We thought we could move where I could get a job and work with a Native ministry “on the side”. We decided to follow the Old Testament principle to wait a year after getting married before heading into “the trenches” of ministry; ministry is a tough thing, not something you just jump into for the glamour of it or to satisfy a religious ego. Well, we enjoyed our first year together immensely. And just as our first year ended, God brought this opportunity to us that we saw to be a good fit for us both. We were hosting a couple that Ann had known from NAIM, from her college internship. When they told us about Gladstone (it was brand new then), we were excited. Then when they told us that they were looking for help, and the job description of what they were looking for, we knew the Lord wanted us to pursue that. When the application from the mission came on our first anniversary, we felt like the Lord was saying, “Ok, time to get to work!” He gave us many signs from then on that He was continuing to lead us in this direction.
Please describe the details of your ministry (your role/responsibilities/ministry focus)?
I serve as Site Manager at Gladstone Mountain Gathering Grounds.
We are involved in the day-to-day operations of Gladstone as part of a small team, "invisible" as support personnel, doing whatever we can so that ministry can happen there. Our goal is to provide people with service and a place where they can really sense God's refreshing presence.
The Gathering Grounds are a place of discipleship, encouragement, planning and vision building for those in Native ministry. Native people come to explore ideas and questions about the world that has shaped them through NAIM's programs. NAIM seeks to honor those who come, explore their identity in Christ, and tap their potential for global evangelization.
In addition to our formal, full-time role at Gladstone, we felt led to join the Native fellowship on the reserve, in order to minister through relationship. Relationship is the essential ingredient in ministering among First Nations people; we have been able to establish good friendships with many on the reserve through our church involvement.
What goals do you hope to accomplish on the mission field?
Our mission has stressed the importance of being learners; we are here to learn from the people and make an impact by a humble attitude. This is very important because of the negative legacy left by previous generations of missionaries who wanted to change the exterior so badly that the Native people were left feeling that Christ was just “the white man’s god”. Another goal of our ministry is to make way for Native leadership. We are here to nurture the young believers and empower them to become leaders in their own right.
Q: What is the difference between "American Indian," "Native American," "First Nations," and "indigenous people"? Which one should I use?
A: "American Indians," "Native Americans," and "First Nations people" are synonyms. They all refer to the same people. "Indigenous people" is a broader term that refers to any culture that lived in a place first. So Native Americans are all indigenous people, but not all indigenous people are Native Americans. For example, native African cultures are also indigenous.
Most indigenous people in the US use "American Indian," and most indigenous people in Canada use "First Nations." "Native Americans" or "indigenous Americans" are frequently used to refer to people in both countries. Some native people have a preference for one term or the other, but none of them are offensive. Most Native Americans identify themselves primarily by their tribe (such as Cherokee) anyway.
Q: How many Native Americans are there today?
A: According to the census reports, there are about 2 million Native Americans in the United States and 1 million in Canada.
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