Summer Missions Institute
This past June, 35 Native teens came together for a 3-day camp in Shonto, Arizona. Although they did have fun, as evidenced by the above photo, the goal of these committed young people was not to be entertained but to be trained and mobilized into Great Commission Outreach Teams.
Sponsored by Christ for Native Youth, the Summer Ministries Institute had five Native teachers and a local Native pastor, James Towey, who did the commissioning of the students upon completion of their course. The five teachers were: Dino Butler, David Delmare, Jeremy Seaton, Daniel Tate and Helen Tso. "Paradigm", a Navajo worship team, had obviously put a lot of practice time in; participants reported their music was "awesome".
After finishing the 3-day camp, the youth were given four opportunities for ministry.
The first was to partner with the Tarahuaramara people who are building an orphanage in Creel, Chihuahua in Mexico. The youth helped to install a septic system for the orphanage.
The second ministry opportunity was to join up with the Culiacaun people to minister in Oaxaca, Mexico. That trip took place July 19-Aug. 9.
The third ministry opportunity was a little closer to home. This team ran the youth program at Wheatfries Bible Conference in Tsaile, Arizona.
The fourth team of Native youth is yet to be mobilized. They will be traveling back to Oaxaco Oct. 28-Nov.22 participating in three different projects during their stay there. One of these projects will be to help at the Pastor’s conference that will take place Nov. 15-18 in Laventosa, Oaxaca in Mexico.
To learn more about the Summer Ministries Institute, check out their website at nativecommission.org or email: mhendricks9@msn.com
