|
INDIAN
MINISTRY COUNCIL of the AMERICAS GOALS and OBJECTIVES
GOALS
TO
TAKE THE SACRED RECORD (BOOK OF
MORMON) TO THE HERITAGE PEOPLE OF NATIVE
AMERICA, TO WITNESS THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, THE
SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
TO
PROVIDE THE HERITAGE PEOPLE OF NATIVE AMERICA AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR FOREFATHERS, THAT THEY MAY KNOW OF THE PROMISES AND COVENANTS
WHICH WERE MADE TO THEM BY THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER, AND THAT THEY MAY KNOW THAT
THEY ARE THE COVENANT PEOPLE OF THE LORD.
TO PROVIDE THE HERITAGE PEOPLE OF NATIVE AMERICA AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL, AND THUS PROVIDING THEM ENCOURAGEMENT TO REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST AND IN SO DOING, BUILD UP HIS CHURCH.
OBJECTIVES
To
Achieve These Goals
To increase the Saints’ awareness of the promises and covenants of God which are extended to the Heritage People of Native America through The Holy Scriptures, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Book of Mormon and thus providing encouragement to the Saints in their witness of Jesus Christ.
A
large percentage of the Saints are familiar with the promises that have been
made to the Heritage People, however, their level of understanding is limited.
We
need to provide the Saints an opportunity to increase their level of
understanding on these scriptures. There
are many ways that this could be one. For instance, a Missionary team could be organized for
the purpose of expanding the awareness of these scriptures.
The use of slides, electronic media, brochures, and other teaching aids
could receive prime use in these efforts in order to enhance the witnessing
ability and understanding of our Saints.
Concurrent
with the educational process, we will need to identify those who desire
involvement in our missionary effort.
For
years, there have been many non-Indian Saints who have encouraged the Church to
take the Book of Mormon to the Heritage People. Many of these Saints hold firm testimonies as to the need for
the Church to respond to this challenge.
They
have been discouraged and are beginning to doubt that they will ever see the
time that the Book of Mormon will be taken to the Heritage People.
When these non-Indian (Gentile) Saints receive hope that the Church is
indeed planning to take the Sacred Record to the Heritage People, their response
and desire to testify will be revived with vigor.
There is little doubt, they will be eager and willing to get involved in
this ministry and will play a very crucial role in taking the sacred record to
the Native Americans.
There
are numerous Native Americans within the Church that hold firmly to their
testimony of the Book of Mormon and the significance that it has for their
people. Many of these Native
American Saints have been patient, however, their hope and their testimony of
the Book of Mormon needs to be reaffirmed with new experiences and hope.
Here again, when the Church makes positive commitments to take the Book
of Mormon to the people of their heritage, they will respond with overwhelming
joy and enthusiasm.
Our
primary intent will be to identify these Saints and get them involved in
responding to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
We must keep in mind, that these Native American Saints have friends and
loved ones that are outside the realm of this Church, and their relationship
with these people will provide a positive contact for Missionary outreach.
The impact and the need for this group of Saints to be involved in taking
the sacred record to their people is of great importance.
To develop and adapt quality literature, slides, cassettes, and other electronic aids that will emphasize the Book of Mormon.
In
the development of these support materials, it is well that we remember that
some of the material will be left in the hands of the Native American, and when
this is done, illustrations and word usage needs to be given careful
consideration. Cassettes will play
an important role in this missionary effort, therefore, we should make plans to
produce and provide a wide variety of quality tapes for use in our ministry to
the Heritage People.
To encourage the development and training of persons interested in missionary work through the mentoring process.
It
is well established, that experience is often the best teacher.
We have numerous individuals within the Church, that have had years of
experience in witnessing for Jesus Christ.
We have many individuals within the Church that lack experience in
witnessing, yet, they would respond if there was a deliberate attempt to train
and develop these individuals in witnessing skills as they relate to Native
Americans. Perhaps, this
objective will become one of the more important objectives as we strive to
understand the importance of witnessing and allowing our efforts to be directed
by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
To establish self-sustaining and self-developing support groups that will continually work among the Heritage People of Native America.
To
insure the success of any Missionary outreach program, there needs to be a
people who are receptive and committed to working with people.
Converts need continual nurturing and encouragement in their response to
Christ.
To establish a newsletter and distribute among the SAINTS
The
principal use of this newsletter would be to reaffirm our dedication to carry
out our responsibility as Saints to the Heritage People.
‘And
at that day
shall the remnant
of our seed know that
they are of the House
of Israel and that
they are the covenant
people of the Lord;
And then shall they
come to the knowledge
of their forefathers
and also a knowledge
of their redeemer.’
Nephi
– Prophet
Of Ancient America
Graphics by Silverhawk Creations