The Happenings: Phoenix
Life and ministry have been moving quickly for Kevin in Phoenix. Here's just an idea of the great things happening in our newest ministry location.
Indian Bible College 60th Anniversary Celebration
I was invited to attend a luncheon at Grace Bible Church in Sun City, AZ, by the Cook Native American Ministry Foundation. The luncheon celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Indian Bible College located in Flagstaff, AZ, which has been providing Indian students from all across the United States the ability to obtain a 4-year degree. The college currently has a student body of 25 which is the maximum amount for the institution.
NAFFA (Native American Fatherhood and Families Association) Training: Linking Generations by Strengthening Relationships
LGBSR is a Facilitator Training course for individuals who are looking to develop a spiritual foundation with the idea of creating a better working relationship within the family structure which will be invaluable is I become more involved with Native families in and around Phoenix. I hope to also share this knowledge with my fellow ministry workers. Our instructor, Mr. Al Pooley, founder and president of NAFFA, provided valuable insight from his more than 40 years as a family therapist. He has worked extensively with more than 200 Indian tribes across the country and has trained more than 1200 facilitators for the NAFFA programs.
Luncheon Lutheran Social Services
This event was an introduction to the services that LSS offers to the Phoenix Metropolitan area, with more than 250 people attending to hear Connie Phillips, CEO of LSS, explain the benefits of being a part of the LSS Mission. I was able to meet several people from LSS and met another attendee from MedStar Health Research Institute. MHRI has been working with tribes in Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and South Dakota to study the causes of cardiovascular and liver disease and the effects on Native people. It was very interesting to see the variety of work being done with Native Americans across the country.
Lunch Native American Fathers and Family Association
We met to discuss using the NAFFA material as a tool to expand the LIM mission as we provide resources for the healing of our brothers and sisters.
Cynthia West, Strong Heart Study
Cynthia and I met at the Lutheran Social Services Luncheon. We decide to get together to discuss the different outreach campaigns that LIM and SHS were using to reach the Native people of Arizona. We agreed to stay in touch and introduce LIM or SHS where ever there was a fit in the future. It is exciting to be building this network of fellow Native ministry workers!
Throughout February and March:
Bible study on the Gila River Indian reservation south of Phoenix.