A Personal View Of Indian Ministry by Richard Hensley

For many years different Indian Ministry organizations have dreamed and planned to secure a parcel of land for the purpose of an Indian gathering center. This would be a place where the many different tribes could gather together to learn about the restored gospel and about the covenants God made to them.

Past history has clearly shown that the RLDS and other religious organizations have not been successful in their attempts to christianize the Native peoples of the Americas. This lack of success has been due mainly to the fact that the fullness of the gospel has not been taught and more especially, to the fact that their record (the Book of Mormon) has not been shared with them. The greatest success however was through the missionary efforts of Hubert Case and other brethren in the Oklahoma area. Their success was due to their preaching the gospel to them from their record. The Holy Ghost was manifested in great power as a result of teaching the truth of the gospel in its fullness.

In the years since Hubert Case's ministry, the Church has been more interested in "playing Indian" than teaching the gospel and sharing the Book of Mormon. Although many friendships were made and a lot of reservations were opened to the RLDS during these years, the failure to give the Native people the ministry they needed eventually closed those doors.

The Indian Ministry Council of the Americas (IMCA) is currently in the process of purchasing 40 acres of land South of Grain Valley, Missouri. Following is a discussion of the importance of this land and its impact upon ministry to Native American people.

The main purpose of this land is to provide a place for the Native Americans to gather and worship in a familiar and acceptable setting. A hogan worship center, similar to the one recently built in Pinon, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation, would be constructed but it would be larger, around 50 feet in diameter. A priesthood extension would be built on the West end and an entrance extension would be built on the East end. The building should seat around 200 people. The circular structure would appeal to most all tribes as the circle has great meaning to them. A building with bathrooms and showers would be constructed similar to those at a reunion ground. A kitchen building would also be constructed which would include a dinning hall. A series of camping cabins would be built on support posts above ground since this land is in a flood area during heavy rains. The structures mentioned previously; i.e., worship center, kitchen, etc. would be built on ground which would be raised above flood level. A section would be set aside for the future construction of a Native American culture center. The land currently has sewer, water, gas, electricity and telephone. Behind this land is a wildlife area known as Monkey Mountain. There would be plenty of space for campers, tents, etc. with possible utility hook-ups.

This entire 40 acre parcel of land can be purchased for $24,000.00. Brother Leroy Campbell is willing to donate a lot located in his housing development. The sale of this lot for $15,500.00 when applied to the total cost of the land would leave a balance of $8,500.00.

It is believed by IMCA that this land and proposed facilities would provide an excellent way to spread the gospel and provide ministry; not only to Native Americans but also to our Restoration Saints. The investment would be minimal. We sincerely solicit your prayers and financial support for what is a most worthy cause to further the work of building up the Kingdom of God here on earth and providing a way to take the record of the Book of Mormon to the Native American people.