ISRAEL here we come: Three years ago Dave attended the 5th World Gathering of Indigenous Peoples in Sweden. While there he met the gentleman from Israel that would be hosting the 7th Gathering. Little did he know then what an impact that meeting would have. We have been in contact ever since. Last year he used our car during his travels along the west coast to meet with Native leaders from OR, WA and BC. Now, at his request, in just one month we will be leaving for Israel for the months of July, August, and September to help with all the final plans and preparations for the 7th World Gathering of Indigenous People. Needless to say we are excited to be part of this strategic event. We are going as servants and will do whatever is needed and expected of us, however, I would not be honest if I did not admit that I have some reservations – will I meet up to expectations and can I do the job? My giftings lie in the area of organization and administration and that is what I will be helping with, but I will be dealing with people from all over the world and I speak only one language and I know only one form of currency. Thankfully most people have some understanding of English so that should help. We do covet your prayers, though, that we will be a significant help in getting all the logistics for this world event planned and that it would run smoothly, powerfully impacting the delegates.
PURPOSE: Why are we going and how does this tie into ministry in Tacoma? First of all, we are already using world indigenous people, i.e. Maoris, Koreans, Hawaiians, etc., in our monthly gatherings to attract local Native people. And secondly, our mission leadership is totally behind this endeavor and they see the big picture of how this will help shape and broaden our local ministry by exposing us to even more world leaders and cultures. Since early 2000 NAIM’s focus has shifted towards partnering with Native leaders, rather than leading and directing Native ministries. That is evidenced by the byline on our letterhead, “Serving with First Nations to Reach All Nations.” Our desire is to learn how Native leaders worldwide share the Gospel using their various cultures and also to make contacts that we can tap into in the future.
VISION: In addition, we envision sending local Native ministry teams to other countries both for Gospel outreach and leadership training.
The gathering in Israel will not be a conference in a building. It will be a roving gathering with all events taking place outdoors in different places throughout Israel. The gathering will start on September 9 and end on the 18th.
It will begin with an elaborate welcome ceremony and the arrival of canoes on the beach in Joppa. The delegates will then have four nights on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with all activities under the open sky. This will be followed by another four nights in Jerusalem, again with all activities under the open sky by the Old City.
The goal of the Gathering is to enable indigenous believers of Jesus Christ to meet, and express themselves to God and to each other in ways which affirm godly indigenous worship, teaching, evangelism, and discussion.
Worldwide missions still consider indigenous peoples a mission field, however, in recent years, God is stirring Christian indigenous peoples to rise up as a mission force. North American Indians, Maoris of New Zealand, Sami People of the Arctic, and other Christian indigenous people are penetrating difficult countries with the gospel using culture, dances, music and arts as instruments for evangelism. The movement has grown worldwide through these indigenous people’s gatherings where all cultures with their expressions are affirmed to worship Jesus Christ.
One of the hopes for these gatherings is for the whole Body of Christ to recognize that culture plays a significant role in the church movement. Upholding indigenous leadership is important to these gatherings where ceremonial protocols are given utmost importance. Indigenous people must be treated as co-equals in reaching the world for Christ where they will have the liberty to use their God-given gifts, language, culture, dance and music. The purpose for the gathering is not to romanticize culture but give indigenous people the freedom to express themselves to God and use these expressions to reach out to others. What an honor for us to be a small part of promoting this!
MINISTRY UPDATE
There’s so much more to update on ministry, but space does not allow. Suffice it to say that Tacoma First Nations Gathering received their 501(c)3 status which allows us to write grants and issue tax-deductible receipts (a big praise.) We had over 200 people at our 3rd Anniversary Celebration in March. The monthly Wisdom Circle, where we study Creator’s Book, is growing. We feel like we are in the prime of our ministry right now and we love what we are doing. Thank you for allowing us to represent the Universe-making Sin-bearer among First Nations people.
Much love,
Dave and Diane Norman
norman@naim.ca
Our ministry is solely funded through, and fully accountable to North America Indigenous Ministries.
