We had a wonderful and fruitful time of ministry last weekend, April 8-10 at the Carpenters Shop Church in Mission, SD, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Pastor Gerald Burns of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Dennis Dulske of Wapauca, Wisconsin traveled with me and helped with the time of ministry.
Four people registered first-time decisions for Christ at the Sunday morning meeting. Many others were touched and encouraged and challenged in their walk with God. In the three meetings, we spoke on:
God’s Plan for the Nations
God’s Plan for the Family
God’s Plan for the Church
We were also blessed and greatly helped in the ministry time with the church’s praise band. This anointed group of singers and musicians are pressing in to lift up Christ and pull down strongholds on the reservation and wherever they are invited to bring their powerful musical ministry.
Carpenters Shop Church is led by Pastor Bob Stead, who along with his wife, Teresa, started the work about 12 years ago. Last year Teresa went home to the Lord after a battle with cancer. She left a big void, but the church is rising up and going forward in the work that has been started, knowing that Jesus is the author and the finisher of their faith. Photo below (left to right) Dennis Dulske, Pastor Gerald Burns, Pastor Bob Stead of the Carpenters Shop and Tom.
Our visit to the Rosebud Reservation was also a time to evaluate the spiritual and physical needs there to determine how we can best be a help and a blessing there through future ministry. We had an opportunity to visit several key ministers on the reservation. One of the most important things, we were told, was for us to get to know the people personally, to build relationships, and grow in understanding of the hearts of the people.
There are many problems, such as unemployment, alcoholism, drugs, violence, broken family structures, teen suicide and more. Of course these problems are not unique to the reservation, they occur everywhere, but more intensely and frequently there.
Many types of programs and solutions are needed, some of which are being addressed in varying degrees through government-sponsored programs, but as a result of this visit and other experiences that I have had on the Rosebud Reservation, here are some the areas where I believe we can be a help to the people.
1. Friendship. One of the great needs is for the barriers to come down between people. By just loving the people, listening, sharing and encouraging, we can be a help and a blessing.
2. Prayer. The Bible says we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness. All of problems we have mentioned here have their roots in the spirit world. The name of Jesus and the power of the Word of God are needed to pull down the strongholds over people’s minds that they may see Christ and choose to follow Him.
3. Evangelism. There is a great need for evangelism on the reservation. Most of people need to hear and understand the creation story and the redemption plan. They need the good news presented clearly. This is why I am so happy that our radio broadcast is now airing on KOYA radio, 88. 1 FM out of Mission. We are also planning to purchase some “Story of Jesus” pamphlets, which give a clear and simple illustrated presentation of the Gospel. We plan to distribute these through some of our ministry contacts on the reservation. We are also praying about a possible area-wide evangelistic service in the future.
4. Leadership. One of the great needs on the reservation is for Christian leaders. This included new younger leaders to carry on the work in the churches, and also for leaders in the community. One of churches on the reservation, Christian Life Fellowship in Mission, has a video Bible School and a Christian elementary school, but more training is needed for Christian leaders.
5. Natural needs. We learned that based on the 2010 census, 7 of the 13 most impoverished counties in the United States are located in this part of South Dakota. The Tree of Life Ministry in Mission, which is an outreach of the United Methodist Church, is a group that is working hard ot meet these needs. (Photo: Pastor Russell Masartis, executive director). They have programs providing hot meals, groceries, clothing, hygiene items and more. They also have a program which provides families with assistance for home repairs. Volunteers from all over the country come to install windows, repair roofs, replace plumbing and more for the people. They have the volunteers work side by side with the people to improve their homes. This allows everyone to learn new skills. Also many meaningful relationships have been built through this process. You can find out more about the Tree of Life Ministry here.
We also welcome your help for this ministry in our special emphasis, which is evangelism and making disciples. We need your prayers and financial support to continue to reach needy people with the only message that can change their eternal destiny and give them victory in their lives today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
