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Indigenous
Ministries of Alaska Summit at Skyline Foursquare Church Anchorage Alaska – February 18-25, 2008 |
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This is
a brief report of a weeklong trip to Anchorage, Alaska to attend the 4th
Indigenous
Ministries of Alaska (IMA) Summit held at Skyline Foursquare
Church. In addition, two more days were spent at the church under the
ministry of Alan Ross, a gifted prophet from
Glasgow Scotland. IMA Summit I was
invited by Pastor James Brenn, Senior Pastor of Skyline Foursquare Church to
attend the summit and make contact with the Christian Native leaders in
Alaska. I had met Pastor James and his wife Yvonne a year earlier at a 3-week
Leaders School put on by the Toronto Airport
Christian Fellowship in January 2007. At that
time I had shared with Pastor James that I had been doing some work with the
Inuit of Eastern Canada and had a heart to minister to our Northern brothers.
He felt this summit would be an opportunity to meet new leaders and listen to
their vision and be part of a significant “happening” in Alaska. His heart is
to forge closer ties with the Natives of Alaska and to seek bi-lateral
dialogue and ministry in the communities of the interior of Alaska. The
Summit ran from Monday night, February 18 to Thursday night, February 21 at
the church and was very well attended both during the daytime meetings and
worship sessions each evening. Pastor James and his staff had thoroughly
prepared for the summit and were honoured to be able to host this significant
event. Their prayer room dubbed the “War Room” was used by the leaders every
morning to prepare for the day, discuss issues and to invite God through His
Holy Spirit to take charge.
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Whenever you drive East in
Anchorage, Ian in front of Skyline
Foursquare Church this is the view before your
eyes. before the Summit
began |
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Spirit of Togetherness There
was a heavy anointing of the Holy Spirit throughout the four days that fell
on not only the leaders but on all who attended. During the mornings, the
leaders met for prayer and dialogue. They represented nearly all the 12
nations in Alaska from the far North to the Aleutian chain to the Panhandle
regions. Here is
a brief list of those leaders and representatives (my apologies if I have
forgotten anyone). Native & Non-native Alaskan Leaders Pastor
Mike Curtis – Athabascan/Inupiat – New Destiny Church - Anchorage Barbara
Curtis – Inupiat Doug
Yates – Tshimshian/Haida – Pastor and musician, Gloria
Yates - singer Leonard
John – Tlingit Guy
Peters – Athabascan – pastor/leader/musician Will Mayo
– Athabascan, Yvonne
Mayo Eleanor
Roehl – Yupik - dancer Evangelist
Michael Tall from Nome - dancer Pastor
Luke Titus – Minto Worship Center Evangelist
Gary Simple - Athabascan/Dene. Ministry website: Scared Ground
Ministries Pastor
Marvin Carroll of Golden Heart Fellowship Billy
Olsen - musician Other Leaders (Native and Non-native) Pastor
Dan Mosley – Paiute/Assiniboine - Nevada Rhonda
Mosley – Shishone/Lakota Sioux - Nevada Pastor
Jeff Yellow Owl – Blackfeet/Mt Tribe) – District Supervisor First Nations
Foursquare Churches– Toppenish, Washington – Hope For
Nations Church Pastors
Frank and Mary East – Toppenish Washington - Hope For
Nations Church Pastor
Rick Turner – Yukon Bible Chapel – Whitehorse, Yukon Prophet
Alan Ross – Scotland – Ministry website G.O.I.A.M
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In this photo – (L-R) Guy Peters,
Will Mayo, Leonard John, Marvin Carroll, Gloria Yates, Doug Yates,
Barbara Curtis, Mike Curtis |
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Protocol and Understanding It is
difficult to tell all that happened over the 3-1/2 days but I want to share a
few of the highlights. Protocol was first addressed and many of the visitors
and non-natives learned a great deal about protocol. This went a long way in
establishing the communications and closeness experienced by all. Several
gifts were exchanged including hand-made gifts by Doug Yates to Pastor James
& Yvonne of Foursquare. Friendship necklaces were offered to all invited
guests and speakers. These were treasured by the recipients and represent a
“passport” to Native communities. Pastor James presented IMA a wonderful
photograph he took of an eagle during one of his fishing trips. I have
included some photos below. Many
prophetic words were spoken by the leaders indicating how God has begun a
mighty work among the native and non-native groups in Alaska. This summit was
charged with a spirit of new beginnings and a great hope for future
relationships. Evangelist
Gary Simple spoke and played guitar but
most importantly had us act out a prophetic action whereby the white leaders present
formed a circle, facing outwards with arms crossed. The native people then
entered the circle. The prophetic significance of this act was that these
white Christian leaders were protecting the Christian natives from the rest
of those (Christian, Churches, Ministries etc) wanting to come in and take
over what is happening in Alaska through IMA and like-minded groups.
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The white people present formed
a protection ring around the native people keeping out those wanting to usurp the new
initiatives. |
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So much forgiveness, repentance
and healing As the
summit progressed it became obvious that a great and wonderful thing was
happening. Past hurts were healed, lives were transformed and a new
reconciliation was becoming evident. Some native leaders shared through
tears, their struggle and abuse while in residential schools. Some
repented of hostile thoughts, words and deeds toward the white people of
Alaska. And equally important, the white Alaska church leaders repented and
humbled themselves before the native Alaskans. Although
I don’t know the exact history of the Native and white people in Alaska, I
can glean from the conversations I had that the relationship was similar to
that in the south – both in the United States and Canada. Occupation
of lands, unbalanced treatment, and disrespect for each other etc had formed
deep seated feelings and even resentments. Jesus came that we be united and
not divided and this summit went a long way to seeking unilateral
reconciliation. I personally felt a heavy anointing and a sweet fragrance of
the Lord during the entire summit. There
was not a dry eye in the building when these acts of forgiveness and
repentance took place.
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Pastor James and Yvonne
humbled Prayers
continually went up for those themselves and were
emotionally wanting
healing and deliverance overcome during the healing
times. from past issues
and life experiences. |
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Another
highlight of the summit was the preaching and prophesying of guest Pastor
Alan Ross from Scotland. Alan has a wonderful and powerful gift of prophesy
and spoke over several at the summit. In addition, he stayed on and spoke
four times on the Saturday and Sunday following the summit. Many were blessed
at his preaching and insight into God’s moving among the Alaskan natives and
churches in general. Alan
also spoke to the church leaders at Skyline and spoke at a luncheon held at
the home of Pastor James & Yvonne Brenn. His words were like pieces of
gold and fine jewels. Alan hears from God and speaks what he hears. It was a
blessing to come under his anointed ministry. |
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Prophet Alan Ross preaching at
the summit and afterwards at Skyline Church.
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It is
impossible to tell all that took place during the 3 ½ day summit and the
following two days with Alan. Suffice to say that I have never witnessed such
power and reconciliation between peoples. I had the privilege of attending a
huge 5-day conference in Quebec City, Canada a few years ago and witnessed a
lot of the same healing and reconciliation between English and French
Canadians and Inuit and First Nation peoples. This IMA summit was all as much
and more. May the
Lord bless this reconciliation and move in a mighty way in Alaska and beyond
its borders into Canada and the world with the Good News that He is in
control of the affairs of people from whatever background, race and tribe. I want
to personally thank the leaders of IMA for allowing me to be an observer to
this summit. As well, I want to thank Pastor James & Yvonne Brenn of
Skyline Foursquare church for hosting this event and allowing me to
participate through my music and ministry. Lastly, I want to thank my hosts
Pastor Barry & Julie Hildebrand for opening their home to me for the
week. May you continue to be used by God. |
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Here
are a few general photographs of the IMA Summit and the activities that I was
involved in. |
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Initial Gathering of visitors
and leaders Eleanor Roehl’s first dance of the summit.
Doug Yates presenting his gift
to Pastor Mike
Curtis (IMA) receiving Pastor James & Yvonne Brenn
of the gift to IMA
from Pastor James Brenn
Skyline Foursquare Church,
Anchorage (The eagle
photo was taken by Pastor James)
Evangelist Gary Simple playing
and singing Ministry time
happened many times and prophesying and preaching. many came forward
to repent
and be healed and be saved. Music and Dance played a significant role during the summit.
Guy Peters ministering in
music Praise Team – led by
Jose Rolon.
Doug Yates playing the Cedar
Flute
Eleanor Roehl starts off her
dance Ian helping out
during the day |
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© Three
Cord Ministries – 2008 |
