This parable was written by Patti Cutler several years ago as part of a children’s information piece for Wesleyan Native Ministries.

A long time ago in North America, farmers went out to their fields to sow their crops, just as they had in the “old country.” They planted good seed in the rich soil that had been made by the Creator of all soils.

Year after year the farmers faithfully planted their seed.  But even though the seed was good and the rich red soil prepared for planting, only a few grains ever grew to maturity.  Scarcely enough was harvested to recover the grain that had been used for planting.

The farmers decided to send more people out to plant more seeds.  The investment was great.  Still the farmers never harvested more than a meager crop.  This continued season after season, for 500 years!

One day a young and seemingly inexperienced farmer asked a question that no one had ever thought or dared to ask.  He said, “Your seed and soil are good.  Perhaps you reap no harvest because you are not planting the seed correctly, or caring for it properly.”

At first the farmers were irate!  After all, were they not the ones who had spent years studying how to plant seeds?  Weren’t they the ones who had labored long hours in the fields?  Who was this young man who challenged their skills?  But a few of the farmers wondered at the young man’s question…

The young farmer reminded the seasoned farmers that the soil of their ancestor’s land had been a light soil, not like the dark red soil of the land they now farmed.  To plant the seeds in this soil in the same way that they had planted in their homeland kept the seeds from growing.  He taught them to plant the seeds differently in the red soil.  He showed them a different way to care for the seeds when they began to grow.  And those who were willing to listen reaped a harvest a hundred times what was sown!

This parable illustrates the way many Christian missionaries of European heritage have attempted to share the gospel with Native North Americans, with limited success. Sadly, the seeds of the gospel were often planted and cared for incorrectly, in ways that weren’t relevant to, or respectful of, the different Native cultures.

Gratefully, over the years The Wesleyan Church has realized the need to change our methods so Native people can learn about and follow Christ within the context of their own culture, not the “white man’s” culture. Please pray that God would raise up more Native leaders who will reach their people with the good news of Jesus Christ.