Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I'm fairly new to this dynamic group of believers but I thank God to have found this community of believers. I eagerly read all the threads and look forward to them every day. In saying that, I have developed a respect and high regard for everyones opinion and input on any given subject and I am hoping you can help me.

I have recently been given the "assignment" of spear-heading our Native American outreach in my local church.

I have some Native American blood in me and am quite familiar with the Native American spirituality, mindset and lifestyle. If any of you have had any dealings with NA evangelism you know what type of opposition I am up against.

There is such a parellel between the Jews and Native Americans regarding their reaction and contempt towards Jesus Christ and the "Church". To become a Christian would mean ceasing to be "Indian".

I have been told of the atrocities Native Elders have experienced at the hands of "Missions" and "Christians" of times past.

The #1 question I am hit with is "If you can only get to Heaven through Jesus, then where are my ancestors?"

Native Americans hold their ancestors in a very high regard and the idea of them burning in hell because the Gospel didnt hit the shores of America untill 1492-1620 is an inconceivable thought to them.

Any input will be helpful.

In Christ,

Rednosepit
1Tim.1:15

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Daniel

Actually I'm part Cherokee... and the Cherokee people always believed in One God, the Creator. The Cherokee people honored nature as a creation, but did not worship nature as some different tribes did. When the missionaries made their way into the Cherokee nation (now known as the Carolina's, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama) they were welcomed warmly... and their message only clarified the faith of the Cherokee. Converting the Cherokee was probably easier than most other tribes.

... and then later on white men lied to them and the rest is history (The Trail of Tears).

Krispy

Do you have any information from David Brainerd's life in your resources? Maybe there is some help for your efforts to be found in his journal of his missionary efforts to north east Native Americans in the 18th century.

[url=http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpbrainerd.html]David Brainerd[/url]

MC

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Mike Compton

I heard from a Half-Israel (Jew) and Half-Native American. That some of the tribes, DID know Christ, despite the major belief that 'English brought the gospel to them'.

They were AT LEAST Jewish, because they spoke about 'YHVH' and such. Many chants, and such are toward Him.

So, did they ,know? Some probly, others no. Just like even in our cities 'you can be surrounded by the gospel and STILL never hear it ONCE'.

We all deserve hell, and those who didn't hear, their blood is on our hands. But they are still guilty as we are also.

maybe it would be good to aim for young people and kids more than adults. I know in India, where Hinduism is dominant, most missionaries have found when the adults beat them and throw rocks, the children who visit the missionary's bible classes easily evangelize to the same people just by sharing the bible stories they learned (why they let their kids go to christian class, I don't know, but they often do). The parents become so much more open when the children are benefiting from Christians (like schooling, little sunday school, etc). Children are much more open and teachable.

In God's ministry through me to some families, I give them many good bible cartoons and bible books, like Beginner's Bible, Cherub Wings, (these 2 series are excellent), and a little bit of Veggie Tales. This outreach is done prayerfully.

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Jina

I'm not sure anything different needs to happen when evangelizing Native Americans. The assimulation into the American culture is pretty much complete.

Interesting to note... in the Cherokee language there are NO cuss words. A cousin of mine, who is more Cherokee than I am, was asked once "Since there are no cuss words in the Cherokee language, what would they do if they hit their thumb with a hammer?" He replied "They would use English."

Krispy

By the way... lets dispense of the poitical correctness speech. If someone was born in America, they are a Native American. I dont care if your great daddy came here from the planet Kripton.... if you were born here, you're a Native American.

Krispy