Indigenous
Ministries of |
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This is
a brief report of a weeklong trip to IMA I was
invited by Pastor James Brenn, Senior Pastor of 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 The
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Whenever you drive East in this is the view before your
eyes. before the |
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 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 Barbara
Curtis – Inupiat Leonard
John – Tlingit Guy
Peters – Athabascan – pastor/leader/musician Will
Mayo – Athabascan, Yvonne
Mayo Eleanor
Roehl – Yupik - dancer Evangelist
Michael Tall from Pastor
Luke Titus – 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 - Rhonda
Mosley – Shishone/Lakota Sioux - Pastor
Jeff Yellow Owl – Blackfeet/Mt Tribe) – District
Supervisor First Nations Foursquare Pastors
Frank and Mary East – Toppenish Pastor
Rick Turner – Prophet
Alan Ross –
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In this photo – (L-R) Guy
Peters, Will Mayo, Leonard John, Marvin Carroll, Far right- Barbara Curtis, Mike
Curtis |
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 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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Here
are a few general photographs of the IMA Summit and the activities that I was
involved in. |
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. Eleanor Roehl
starts off her dance
Ian helping out during the day |
© Three
Cord Ministries – 2008 |