Please pray for WNAM’s leaders as we begin to explore economic development projects that would improve the livelihood of people living on reservations and help our churches to become more self-sustaining.

Please pray for the Dakota District’s Native Ministry Team as it prepares to launch the Lakota Theological Education by Extension program to equip Lakota leaders for church ministry.  Dr. Jerry Yellowhawk, Dr. Paul Turner and Rev. Larry Salway are key leaders in this effort.

Please pray for the Dakota District’s Native Ministry Team, which is planning to re-launch a Native Wesleyan church in Pierre, South Dakota.  They are currently making building repairs and renovations and have already begun to reach out to the Native community.

The idea of “transformational” leadership has been on my mind lately, and for good reason.

1. On Monday, the United States celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose transformational leadership inspired a nation to break down the walls of racial injustice and inequality.
2. Today, as Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President, Americans recognize, perhaps more than ever, the transformational leadership potential that is inherent in the office of the presidency.
3. Over the last year, WNAM has undergone significant leadership and organizational changes to reposition our ministry to better raise up the next generation of transformational Native leaders for The Wesleyan Church.

You might be asking, “What exactly is transformational leadership?”  Transformational leadership occurs when a leader takes a visionary position and inspires people to follow.  Transformational leadership calls out the best from others and motivates them to a higher level of action, commitment and morality.

Transformational leaders know now to take stock of situations and circumstances and decide on bold action.  They realize that difficult challenges demand new ways of thinking.  They know that what got us to where we are today might not get us where we need to go tomorrow.

Most importantly, transformational leaders have first been transformed themselves.  This is especially key for spiritual leaders.  We must first have our character and heart transformed by God before He can use us to help transform our church, community, and world. That’s why discipleship is a key component of leadership development for WNAM and our partners.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer and financial support, which helps us multiply transformational Native believers (disciples), leaders and churches across North America.

WNAM is pleased to partner with the Dakota District of The Wesleyan Church to re-launch a Native Wesleyan church in Pierre, South Dakota in 2009.  Repairs and improvements are now being made to the facilities and we anticipate that church services will begin by Spring.  Please pray for the church’s launch team as they make preparations and reach out to the Native community in Pierre!

This week, I was blessed to be in sunny and warm Florida with my family, connecting with many of WNAM’s supporters on the Gulf Cost.

It was great to meet with over 100 people at the Wesleyan Village in Brooksville on Tuesday, where we hosted a banana split dessert reception.  It was a blessing to hear that so many people here have been supporting and praying for WNAM for many, many years.  Special thanks to Dr. Lila Cockrell and Dr. Charles Paine for helping us make those arrangements.

On Thursday I met with the very active (and generous) JOY group from Park Place Wesleyan Church in Pinellas Park.  I’m grateful to Melvin Smith and Sandra Turner for their hospitality.

On Friday, Pastor Rick Stevens of Diplomat Wesleyan in Cape Coral hosted a luncheon for us.  It was great to meet with him and key leaders from his church to discuss WNAM’s recent changes and renewed focus.   We also explored ways WNAM could serve Diplomat and the Florida District and help them reach out to Native people in their area.

He Sapa's Native Nativity Program

Thank you to everyone who gave toys, clothes, cash and other gifts for our Native churches’ Christmas outreaches.

Hundreds of Native families were blessed with gifts in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation, in Rapid Cit, in Eagle Butte, and Pierre.

Pastor Larry Salway of He Sapa New Life Wesleyan Church in Rapid City reported that over 150 braved the extremely cold weather on December 21st to attend their Christmas Celebration and the Native Nativity program, where the children acted out the birth of Christ, Lakota-style.

A holy hush came over the room during “The Drummer Boy” song and presentation, as the chiefs (the wise men) walked in slowly carrying gifts of sweet grass, cedar, burning sage, Pendleton blanket, star quilt, and buffalo robe.  True worship of baby Jesus was felt, and God’s presence was there in a powerful way. Most of the people in attendance come from very traditional Native religious backgrounds.  They heard the message so clearly, and responded very positively.

Following the play, Pastor Larry gave a culturally-relevant presentation of the gospel, speaking on the shepherds who responded to the news of Christ’s birth.  He prayed the sinners’ prayer with them, and gave them the opportunity to surrender their lives to Christ, and allow Christ to hearl their pain.  God’s presence was very real, and no one wanted to move after the closing prayer.

Several responded after the service and said they “got” the message of christ for the first time.  We praise God that they are now attending worship services at He Sapa!