On Eagles’ Wings teams plant Gospel seeds

USA (MNN) — A U.S. ministry is forging new trails among a forgotten people group.

 

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries is starting the third week of Summer of Hope, an annual outreach to Native American youth. This year, the On Eagles’ Wings team is made up of 53 Native American young people from 30 different tribes.

On Elk Island Reservation, the last reservation visited by OEW teams, there was no Gospel presence at all.

The murders have made them hard, reads the latest OEW report. The burning homes. The drugs everywhere. And so little Light.

One man brought the darkness surrounding this reservation to public eye in 2011. His horrific crime required federal prosecution, and earlier this year he received two life terms in prison for murder and aggravated sexual abuse.

A federal attorney described his crime as “among the most contemptible and horrific crimes one can commit.”

When OEW members tried to talk about Christ, the young people on this reservation went blank or went away. And yet, hearts began to soften as team members shared the hope of Christ.

One was ten-year-old Lisa who Jenny (Navajo) led to Christ. Lisa prayed, “Jesus, I want to live. Please take away my imaginary friends.”

Those ‘imaginary friends’ have told her she was ugly and should kill herself.

Another OEW warrior led Marie to Jesus on that first embattled night. That night she promised Jesus she was done drinking. Then she brought her sister the next night – and she, too, met Jesus.

In the end, a total of 13 young people came forward to trust Jesus as their Savior.

Usually, Summer of Hope outreaches take place on reservations with an established church presence, where new believers can go to receive the spiritual food and mentoring they need. Since there isn’t a church serving this Native community, it appeared these believers’ newfound hope would fade quickly.

However, the manager of a local Christian radio station soon stepped up to the plate. After gathering some other local believers, they met with Ron Hutchcraft to discuss follow-up plans.

Ask the Lord to bless their efforts. Pray these new believers will not fall away from their faith.

To watch a video summary of this latest outreach to Elk Island Reservation, click here.

Pray OEW outreach teams will keep sharing the Gospel boldly.