This parable was written by Patti Cutler several years ago as part of a children’s information piece for Wesleyan Native Ministries.

A long time ago in North America, farmers went out to their fields to sow their crops, just as they had in the “old country.” They planted good seed in the rich soil that had been made by the Creator of all soils.

Year after year the farmers faithfully planted their seed.  But even though the seed was good and the rich red soil prepared for planting, only a few grains ever grew to maturity.  Scarcely enough was harvested to recover the grain that had been used for planting.

The farmers decided to send more people out to plant more seeds.  The investment was great.  Still the farmers never harvested more than a meager crop.  This continued season after season, for 500 years!

One day a young and seemingly inexperienced farmer asked a question that no one had ever thought or dared to ask.  He said, “Your seed and soil are good.  Perhaps you reap no harvest because you are not planting the seed correctly, or caring for it properly.”

At first the farmers were irate!  After all, were they not the ones who had spent years studying how to plant seeds?  Weren’t they the ones who had labored long hours in the fields?  Who was this young man who challenged their skills?  But a few of the farmers wondered at the young man’s question…

The young farmer reminded the seasoned farmers that the soil of their ancestor’s land had been a light soil, not like the dark red soil of the land they now farmed.  To plant the seeds in this soil in the same way that they had planted in their homeland kept the seeds from growing.  He taught them to plant the seeds differently in the red soil.  He showed them a different way to care for the seeds when they began to grow.  And those who were willing to listen reaped a harvest a hundred times what was sown!

This parable illustrates the way many Christian missionaries of European heritage have attempted to share the gospel with Native North Americans, with limited success. Sadly, the seeds of the gospel were often planted and cared for incorrectly, in ways that weren’t relevant to, or respectful of, the different Native cultures.

Gratefully, over the years The Wesleyan Church has realized the need to change our methods so Native people can learn about and follow Christ within the context of their own culture, not the “white man’s” culture. Please pray that God would raise up more Native leaders who will reach their people with the good news of Jesus Christ.

We are grateful to everyone who provided financial support for this and other Native Christmas outreaches!

But his life changed forever one bitterly cold December night when his friends came over.  They planned to get drunk and then go outside to shoot their guns.  God had something else in mind when he sent one of Darrell’s former Brainerd teachers, Rev. Ellis Burchfield, to knock at the door.

You can read Darrell’s story here.

Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley

In November we first think of Thanksgiving, and as we Native Americans say, Thanksgiving is a time when we once again reflect upon all we have and the genocide it took to get it. Even in November, which is officially Native American Heritage Month, most Americans don’t think about the massacres, land thefts, boarding school oppression and anti-native religion laws carried out against Native Americans throughout U.S. history and even right up to the present day. But this year on Nov. 5, President Barack Obama remembered!

This President has already shown that he may be the first president in a while who intends to keep his promises to Native Americans. Obama met with about 400 of the 564 federally recognized tribal nations and he was quoted as saying, “You will not be forgotten as long as I’m in this White House.” It would be easy to become cynical and assume he will end up being just like all the rest of the politicians in our unique history of making empty promises or breaking treaties. But here are some reasons I’m holding out hope for a better outcome.

Click here to read the entire article…

Native veterans

Today is Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada – a day we honor our veterans for the sacrifices they’ve made in service to our countries.

I don’t know if it is true in Canada, but in the US, Natives have a high rate of military service – in fact, it is the highest of any minority group!

A few quick facts:

• Natives who served in the US forces during World War 1 weren’t even considered to be US citizens yet.
• The Navajo Code Talkers produced the only unbreakable code in modern military history.  They were instrumental in the success of every major engagement in the Pacific from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, and helped end the war.

As you think about the freedoms you enjoy, be sure to thank Native vets who, after having endured injustice in their own lives, have fought to preserve freedom and justice for us all.

For more information on the Navajo Code Talkers, and the effort to preserve their legacy, click here.

Native Child Dancing

November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States.

If you’d like to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans, you can visit the official Native American Heritage Month website, hosted by the Library of Congress, to learn more.

The new churches, in Pierre (the state capital) and Eagle Butte (on the Cheyenne River Reservation), are extensions of the “mother” Native church in Rapid City, called He Sapa New Life Wesleyan Church.

It was the fulfillment of his campaign pledge to bring together the leaders of the 564 federally recognized Native American tribes to Washington during his first year in office.

According to The Washington Post, “He began his remarks with an accounting of the historically troubled relationship between the federal government and Indian Nations, telling them ‘few have been marginalized for as long by Washington as Native Americans.’”

Click to read the full story at The Washington Post.