Sharing His Gospel Message by Patricia Main (Cree)

This is our seventh year at Haskell Indian Nations University. Time sure goes by quickly. When we first arrived, Matthew was going into grade 5 and Brittany was going into grade 8. Today, Matthew is going into grade 11 and Brittany is starting her second year at Johnson Community College. Here on campus, some of the students finished their degrees and some transferred to other colleges. We will miss them deeply, but we’re very thankful that we were able to walk with them and share the Word of God while they were here.

We had such breakthroughs this past year in reaching students. It is so good to follow God’s lead in every new season. We are always excited to meet new students plus reconnect with the returning students.

We hosted our annual “Welcome Back” barbecue for the students and staff at the start of the new school year. We went back into Pocahontas dorm and shared with the new freshman about the ministry. We also had a treasure hunt with the young ladies.

Haskell Indian Nations University had Vision Quest training in August, which I participated in. It was very informative and fun, and I came away with fresh new ideas for the class. Also, I was blessed to build a few new relationships with other staff members.

It also is exciting for us to serve the students at the campus cafeteria. God always seems to know in advance who we need to meet and for reasons that bring hope and healing.

We hosted a Princess Warriors retreat in September and a Warriors gathering for the young men in October. “It’s Our Time” was the theme for the women, based on Ecclesiastes 3:4, “There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Students learned of God’s faithfulness in their lives and celebrated His love and forgiveness in Jesus.

Will hosted the men’s retreat called “The Healing Journey of a Warrior.” Our Native men have their own concerns and life questions, so an Alaska Native speaker, Douglas Yates, brought a strong message of forgiveness and encouraged our men to be grounded in Christ and be warriors proud of their Native heritage.

I thank God for giving us favor on campus to help bring in His harvest. Church is not just inside a building; we are the Church—you and I—so we bring His message that you and I rejoice in wherever we go, particularly to our students and staff.

Thank you for your support that helps us spread the Gospel of Jesus to the Native Americans and Alaska Natives here at Haskell LIGHT Campus Ministry.

Let us rejoice and give thanks to our Lord and Savior, for He is so good.