1 Corinthians 15:17-18 (New Living Translation), "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!"
Have you ever stopped to think about where your life would be as a Christ follower if Jesus had not been raised from the dead?
During the Native American outreaches of our On Eagles' Wings® Team on eleven reservations one summer, I met a man with an amazing story. I'll call him Chad. Here is his story as he explained it to me. Chad was raised to be the last traditional chief in his tribe and a spiritual shaman. Like many Native Americans over the years, he was sent to a religious boarding school, where in Christ's name he was forced to dress, look and speak as a white man - and punished if he accidentally spoke a word of his own language. The anger that built up in him made him a most unlikely candidate to ever give his heart to this one he thought to be "the white man's God."
One changed life. That may be the best way to understand the mighty work God is doing through the indigenous work of Hutchcraft Ministries. You are helping make possible a powerful tool kit for outreach to the first people of this continent - Warrior Leadership Summit, On Eagles' Wings teams, The Path, and Warrior Generation...but nothing reveals how this full-circle strategy works more than one changed life.
We are in the middle of making all the preparations for a great summer of On Eagles' Wings® (OEW) outreach to Native American young people. You can read about the OEW strategy in the article Native Strategy Demonstrated Through One Changed Life. There are two things we need to make this year the greatest outreach ever - your prayers and your financial support. You can learn how to effectively pray for the Native outreach through the 2009 Native America Prayer Calendar.
If you've been prompted to pray for the Hutchcraft Ministries Team recently, thank you! Since last Monday, Hutchcraft Ministries has been in what's being called the "epicenter" of a "Federal disaster area" in Arkansas. A massive ice storm has essentially shut down this region, and just keeping warm (on 8-16 degree nights), fed and safe has become a full-time job for thousands of us. With trees and electric wires filling our yard and driveway, we constantly praise our Lord for His protection.
A super rollercoaster called "Thunder Road" was one of the chosen rides for a youth group I was with at an amusement park. It had two lines for you to choose from. One said, "Forward," and the other said, "Backward." You could ride "Thunder Road" in the conventional way, looking forward with at least a little chance to prepare yourself for what was coming. But the backward bunch - they had no idea what was about to happen to their body.
Everywhere we look, the news is not good. More companies are reducing the number of employees they have, driving many out of work. The stock market is bouncing around like a rubber ball, each bounce based on another tidbit of financial news. Due to the drop in stock prices, many retirement plans are worth half or less of what they were just 6-7 months ago. The world is in chaos. All of us have been caught up in the financial crisis we are currently facing. Some more than others. What are we to do?
For many believers, it begins with a tremendous sense of restlessness. If you're like many, you simply aren't satisfied with your life. You are hungry for something more...something bigger...something greater.
Your prayers and support made you a significant part of the recent Community Impact Week with over 4,000 participants and over 500 commitments to Christ. One parenting seminar attendee said, "Thank you so much. Today I felt like a failing parent, but you have given wonderful tools that give me hope. Thank you for the Scripture I can use as references to guide me." Your continued support will be used to rescue the spiritually dying.
