Native American Ministries

Aho—“thank you”—for stopping to visit with us!

As American Baptists, we have been in ministry together for many years. Some of that history can be found here. Our Native American churches are located in the Northeast, Southern Plains, Northwest and Southwest. What began through missionaries sent to our people continues to evolve as a growing partnership in ministry.

The needs of native people across this nation remain great. Often, the highest levels of need are met with the lowest quality of care. These conditions remain as a result of unresolved issues between Native American Nations and the United States, broken promises and systems that continue to foster dependency and oppression. Existing within these difficult circumstances is the vitality of a diverse people group made up of more than 500 distinct Native American tribes. Our cultures are rich with values that can serve as pathways to a better understanding of relationships among people. A common thread is the importance of spiritual health for all.

ABHMS through Native American Ministries hopes to impact Native churches, constituents, and communities. Since 2020 Native Ministries has offered the Native American Leadership Training Series (NALTS) to provide our partner churches training and resource opportunities to enhance ministry programs. This program is designed to enhance church leadership skills and increase capacity support for current ministries and new innovative ministries. We believe we will Cultivate leaders, Equip disciples, and Heal communities by enhancing pastoral and lay leadership skills so they can increase their capacity for effective ministry and future development of the next generation of leaders.

Native Ministries will offer a new training model for 2024. NALTS will take a select pair of 10 leaders from 5 churches through the Ten x 10 youth ministry training program focusing on discipleship, church leadership and a renewed emphasis on youth ministry.

NALTS Leader training program will also provide opportunities for the larger Native constituency by identifying potential ABHMS offerings from CCL and other units that might align with Native leaders needs and promote their participation followed by MinistrElife/Zoom gatherings to follow-up and reinforce their learnings.

To learn how you can become involved in American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Native American Ministries, contact the Rev. Ben Sullivan, 405.833.0141.