Jesus Cures Hopelessness
“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…”
(Edward Mote 1834)
I’m not sure why I take every single one so personally.
This time, her name was Marie, an Oglala Sioux living on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Her death is one of a seemingly endless string of suicides among young people on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
She was 12 years old.
Change the name and tribal membership, and you will find the same story on reservations across the country. Native youth are taking their own lives at a staggering rate.
Whenever news of another Native American suicide reaches me, my heart breaks, but when it is a young person… a child, I feel like I was just punched in the gut.
We know it is hopelessness that leads to suicide.
But you and I, as followers of Jesus, also know that hopelessness is stomped out, shouted down, crushed, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114)
Lutheran Indian Ministries exists to bring the hope and truth of the Gospel to Native American peoples, to crush the lies and deception that confuse these young people leading to hopelessness, and too often, the loss of another precious soul to suicide.
Suicide is not the answer...
Jesus is the answer to hopelessness!
Your support of Lutheran Indian Ministries gives young people like Marie a chance. God has gifted members of our staff, like Rick McCafferty, Rick and Linda Martin, and Bob Prue, with exceptional counseling skills and personal experiences to reach those who are struggling with anger, depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Empowered by your prayers, these staff members help young people gain victory over grief and pain through the healing only Jesus can provide.
This is a tragedy that, together, we can stop. With your help, we bring the hope of eternal life to Native people in the midst of their hopelessness. We bring the joy of salvation through the blood of Jesus to those who so desperately need His presence.
How many children will we lose to suicide before we say: "No More!"?
How many more souls will be lost because Indian people do not have their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
To guide them to this place of peace in Jesus Christ, God works through people like you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can make a difference in Indian Country. Through your prayers and generous support, you can help to stem the tide of suicide. And, together, we can help to provide a pathway to healing and restoration among the Native nations.
I know that I can count on you to support our efforts in this important work because of your faithfulness to our ministry. Your gift to Lutheran Indian Ministries provides Native communities with vital resources and Biblical counseling that are needed to aggressively attack the issue of suicide among Indian peoples.
I’m asking for your generous support today because tomorrow may be too late.
Please make a gift to Lutheran Indian Ministries today. Thank you for your quick and decisive action.
May God Bless and keep you always!
In Him,
Tim