LIM Announces Change in Leadership
Dear friends,
Your faithful support of Lutheran Indian Ministries has been an inspiration to me as I have been honored to serve as a board member for a number of years. Thank you so much!
I’m writing you today to announce a transition in leadership. Recognizing your strong commitment to our shared mission, I wanted you to be among the first to know the Lutheran Indian Ministries Board of Directors is announcing Tim Young Eagle’s departure as Executive Director. Tim has led the ministry to sustainable growth and increased service to Native peoples during his tenure these past five years, for which we are indeed grateful.
Our ministry has expanded in a number of key areas, even as COVID-19 has made it necessary for staff to creatively adapt to changing community needs and health protocols.
Tim Norton’s live Sunday services from Gallup, New Mexico, are shared via Facebook, sharing the power of the Gospel and giving comfort to those who are hurting.
In Mesa, Arizona, Joe Lundstrom and the Sacred Ground Mesa team continue to address the critical emotional, physical, and spiritual health concerns of the Native people through Zoom and in-person classes.
When the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington, closed its borders in response to the pandemic, Ben and Natalie Maxson began preparing food for the community from a food truck they call “Cousins,” while on Sundays, Ben feeds souls through Facebook Sunday services.
These are but a few examples of how Lutheran Indian Ministries is reaching out with the Good News the angels announced for all people some 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born. With your strong support, we’re helping Native individuals understand the forgiveness and salvation they have through Jesus Christ while addressing their particular needs and hurts.
I’m very pleased to announce that Paul Flaa will be serving as Lutheran Indian Ministries’ Interim Executive Director for the foreseeable future. Paul has served as our Chief Financial Officer for more than 30 years and is intimately familiar with all aspects of our outreach to Native peoples. We are fortunate to have Paul’s steady hand to guide the ministry as we continue to meet the critical physical and spiritual needs of our Native brothers and sisters. You will be hearing more from Paul in the coming weeks and months.
Please keep Paul and all our dedicated staff members in your prayers. I would also ask for your prayers for the board as we convene a search committee to identify the next Executive Director to lead the ministry in even more growth and mission impact.
Once again, thank you so much for your loyal support. It means so much to those we serve, and we couldn’t do it without you.
Very sincerely yours,
Rev. Dr. Jack Preus
Board Chair