Tim Norton to Serve Navajo in New Mexico

In partnership with the LCMS Rocky Mountain District, Lutheran Indian Ministries (LIM), based in Brookfield, Wis., is pleased to announce that Director of Christian Education (DCE) Tim Norton will serve at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Navajo, N.M. Tim will begin his work among the Navajo this summer and will be joined by his wife, Heidi, and their children, Philip and Leslie. “Lutheran Indian Ministries goes a long way back with Tim’s family,” says Rev. Dr. Don Johnson, executive director of LIM. “Rev. Bill Norton, Tim’s dad, served as a mentor to several of our staff who have gone through theological training to serve as pastors, deacons and deaconess in our ministry. Bill also has supported our ministries in Neah Bay, Wash., and Alaska.”

Thanks to the LCMS Rocky Mountain District and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Centennial, Colo., a Gospel-outreach ministry to the Navajo was established in 1968 through Shepherd of the Valley in Navajo, N.M.—sister church to Shepherd of the Hills. The ministry thrived with regular worship, Bible studies and VBS groups for a number of years; but without a permanent missionary or spiritual leader since 2007, the outreach has dwindled in size. Tim and Heidi’s presence will revitalize the community as they build relationships and share the Good News of Christ. One of Tim’s primary goals is to identify, recruit and train a Navajo man to become a pastor for the Navajo people.

Louise Lee, a member of the Navajo ministry, and her son, David Lee, have maintained their small community of believers through prayer and weekly Bible studies. They have long looked forward to this day.

“We’re excited to have Tim and Heidi and their kids!” Louise says. “Thank you, all, for everything!”

Tim Norton attended Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., earned his DCE degree at Concordia University, Portland, Ore., and his Master of Arts in Mission and Evangelism from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass. Tim and Heidi served LCMS congregations in Portland, Ore., and Fresno, Calif. They served as church planter/leadership developer to the Maninka people in West Africa through LCMS World Mission.

“We look forward to a relationship with Tim and Heidi and know that we will benefit from his experience as a missionary and years of service in West Africa to the Muslim communities,” Don says.

Call Lutheran Indian Ministries at 888-783-5267 to learn more about how you can support this vital ministry to the Navajo.