American Indian Missions: OUT WEST IN WINSLOW

American Indian Missions:  OUT WEST IN WINSLOW

By American Indiam Missions Director David Petty
Winslow, Arizona was all but forgotten when Interstate 40 displaced Route 66 and began taking travelers around its downtown in the late 1970s. But it has one thing going for it: People still want to stand on the corner in Winslow after Glenn Frey and the Eagles made it sound so cool in their hit song “Take It Easy.”

It should be noted, there is a lot more to Winslow than just a catchy tune and tribute statue of Frey standing on the corner. Within the city limits is a thriving American Indian Missions church! And this church features an energetic youth group, whose participants are involved in a variety of activities. This past December, their presentation of “Jesus Means Christmas To Me” drew an attentive audience as the holiday season kicked into gear. Since then, these young people have been on the move—from sharing their faith through creative events to fundraising for a mission trip—and are also gaining worthwhile experience learning how to manage their own youth services.

Trent Charley, the youth leader, is an avid reader and collector of Superhero comic books and enjoys watching Marvel and DC movies. He recently developed a “Superheroes for Jesus” theme to engage the youth, and he encouraged participation by asking everyone to dress up as their favorite superhero. The youth donned costumes as the Hulk, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, and a host of other masked crusaders. Joining the fun, Pastors Allen and Carol Pashano even dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. Trent’s message to the youth: be more than just average—be super for the Lord.

To support a mission trip to California scheduled for July, the youth baked desserts for an auction fundraiser, which resulted in more than $200 garnered to help with expenses. While still in the planning stages, kids and grownups alike are very excited about this trip. The goal is to take 6-7 youth (ages 9-13) and a small number of adults to perform, minister, and convey their rich Native American culture with the message of Jesus Christ at the forefront. They plan to dress in beautiful, authentic Navajo attire and share various cultural treasures, plus make delicious Navajo frybread for some tasty sampling. Naturally, a stop at Disneyland is on the itinerary before the group heads home. 

This mission trip is their first bold move in promoting their church outside of Arizona. One Mission—One Movement aptly describes this body of young believers, who desire to minister beyond their boundaries and cultures with the positive message of Jesus Christ. Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled (Luke 14:23, KJV). 

Missionaries and churches operating under PCG American Indian Missions are rife with plans to engage congregants and build for the future—even in remote locations and with limited support. The church in Winslow is a prime example and underscores our mission to evangelize First Americans so they can win others to the Lord Jesus Christ!

                                            

NATIONAL MISSIONS: MAKING AN IMPACT

In December, the Pentecostal Church of God explored new territory by spreading the net a little wider for our annual Impact Christmas project. For more than a decade and a half the PCG family has brought vital aid, love, and Christ to some of the neediest families in America (located in the Appalachian Mountains) just prior to the Christmas holiday. Due to the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in recent months, it became apparent that even more people could benefit from such assistance at Christmas time. Through a One Mission—One Movement effort, we were able to bring needed aid to the victims of that disaster simultaneously with Impact Appalachia.

Impact Texas was designed to target Hurricane Harvey’s flood victims (primarily elementary- age children and their families), many of whom were still homeless and displaced. The response from our PCG family was amazing and, through an outpouring of support, the Impact Texas initiative was able to:

• Provide every family with a shopping cart piled to the top  of their heads (some had two carts!) with household goods such as appliances, bedding, toiletries, and dishes.  

• Fill an entire school library with so much food that everyone got what they needed—and much more.

• Assist parents with shopping for their children so they would be able to give them something on Christmas morning.

• Provide individually wrapped gifts to every child and give away more than 60 brand-new bicycles, plus some nice toys.

What resulted was a great time of celebration and excitement for these kids and their families, which helped alleviate some of the daily pressures they were dealing with due to the flood. Impact Texas said to a hurting, recovering community that we know you are there, we see your hurt, and we want to respond to your need.

Most importantly, the Impact Texas team shared Christ that day. The PCG family continues to be Jesus in skin, and One Mission—One Movement has made a statement: We are here to stay and be the church we were born to be in the book of Acts.

As the PCG National Missions director,

I am excited to be part of such a great group of God’s people, who see the world through the eyes of Christ and recognize the needs of suffering humanity. Giving this world Jesus must remain our goal and ultimate priority; but seeing the needs of hurting people and responding in kind must remain the mission of this movement. How can we win them without helping them, and how will we help them without YOU?

From the depths of my heart, I wish to say to our PCG family who assisted with the Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, as well as the Impact Appalachia and Impact Texas giving programs, a big and sincere THANK YOU! In addition, please let me remind you of a scripture we should all take note of: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:7).

Blessings to you all!

Want to see the full article? Check it out in the latest Pentecostal Messenger!