Natives With A Mission (NWAM) began as an initiative of North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Children’s Ministries.  In 2008 the NADCM staff surveyed the children’s programs being conducted in the various cultural groups within NAD territories.  It was determined that although there were adult seminars very few children’s programs were being done in Native American communities.  

With prayerful consideration regarding this issue it was decided that outreach by other Natives would be the most effective way to witness. Thus NWAM was born - a commitment was made to expand the presence of children’s ministries in Indian communities as well as present opportunities for students from Native American schools and churches to provide this service.  What resulted was a training program for students not only to learn skills that would prepare them to render service but to also have opportunities to become positive role models to other young people. 

During the 2008 school year 20 young people from Holbrook Indian School in Holbrook, AZ volunteered to be a part of the first training group. They represented Navajo, Pima, and Havasupai nations.  These young people traveled to North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Illinois bringing a special message about the Creator to children in many communities.  There was even an opportunity for cultural exchange with African and Hmong communities in the Twin City area (Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN). 

In 2009 many of the initial 20 returned and others were added, including a representative from the Laguna nation and three young people from the Maricopa Village Church near Phoenix. A very intense summer ministry experience was planned but this time the group was split into three groups of seven.  Their travels took them to North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.  Once again cultural exchange opportunities became a part of the experience, this time with African American Regional Conferences and Mayan indigenous people.  

A decision was made after the summer 2009 experience, with the approval and support of Holbrook Indian School, to make Natives With A Mission a year round ministry by having trainers and ministry opportunities available also during the school year.  It will be exciting to see how God will bless and multiply the ministry of these Native American young people. 

As they develop new programs that will speak to Indian cultures of the Creator’s love and purpose for humanity, we solicit your prayers and support of these young people.   Of course we invite you to keep checking back to see what God is doing and if the Spirit moves you to do so, donate monetarily to this initiative.

Website URL:
www.nwamonline.com