In part two of this three part series, Craig Smith continues his interesting discussion with colleagues, Paul Straubel (director for the Center for Indian Ministries in Bemidji, MN), and Dr. Ryan O'Leary (Ojibwe), the newly appointed president of the National Association of Native Evangelicals, as they discuss this newly formed organization, its goals, purpose, and vision. In today's episode, both Ryan and Paul share their perspectives on why they have sensed the time is now for such an organization to be established to help serve the growing Native evangelical ministries reaching American Indians with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ryan opens a window into his new relationship with the larger and nationally influential National Association of Evangelicals as its most recently elected leader to its Board of Directors. Craig, Ryan, and Paul have been applying the model of the larger NAE organization to the structure in which they are setting up the new NANE organization. The partnership with the larger NAE organization is already opening new doors of communication and much needed dialogue with ministry leaders who could help move cross-cultural ministry right here in the United States forward as they become more aware of the needs and opportunities across Native America. Craig and LaDonna trust this series will be informational and inspirational to you, our dear listeners, as you, too, become aware of this new effort to advance the gospel forward to the many tribes within the borders of the United States of America.

In today's episode of Indigenous Faith, Craig begins a three part visit with dear friends Paul Straubel and Dr. Ryan O'Leary (Ojibwe), as they introduce a new emerging organization called the National Association of Native Evangelicals (NANE). Along with several other leaders, Craig, Paul, and Ryan have been developing this new organization, designed to serve all Native evangelical ministries and their leaders with training, equipping, and mentoring of next generation Native Christian leadership and new and innovative ways of working together in a Kingdom of God unified way. Also, this organization will serve as a voice to the larger evangelical leadership through Dr. O'Leary's election to the larger and influential body of leadership called the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Native American ministries has never had an official voice on this board, which is comprised of denominational, academic, and missional leadership throughout the evangelical Body of Christ, until now. Ryan has been selected by the initial Board of Directors for NANE as the first President, and he has in turn been elected to serve on the nationally recognized NAE Board as a representative of NANE and all Native evangelical ministries who choose to partner with NANE. It's exciting to see these developments happen in the early days of this new organization, and its founding leaders hope it will be a model for other Indigenous leaders worldwide to do the same. Tribal Rescue Ministries, which is the organization Craig and LaDonna Smith lead, is the sponsor of this Indigenous Faith broadcasting ministry, and are pleased to use its growing presence worldwide to promote and encourage involvement in the National Association of Native Evangelicals! We pray you'll be encouraged by the vision these leaders share in for NANE's future and impact. Remember to pray for the continuing growth and establishment of this new representative body for God's glory!

Today's episode of Indigenous Faith is the finale in the series on not just King Josiah, but on the Smith's review of some of the kings of Israel and Judah. Have you enjoyed this series as much as the Smiths enjoyed sharing it with you? They trust and pray that it has not only been an enjoyable journey but enlightening as well. There's so much to learn from God's Word in both the older and newer Testaments. To wrap it all up, the Smiths would remind you that there's nothing new under the sun, and all the things the current culture is embracing and promoting is nothing short than a revisit to the Old Testament pagan gods who are messengers of Satan and not the God of the Bible! We must never compromise by syncretizing our Christian faith and practice with that of what we discovered is the Unholy Trinity of demonic empowered gods of Baal, Asherah, and Molech. They are alive and well in modern American culture and find their ways into our Indigenous communities as well as the gods of our ancestors. Christian life and practice are completely opposite of the false gods who've been around since the creation of the world. May we all have our faces intently facing towards the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross, His atoning death, his sacrificial burial, and his remarkable resurrection from the dead, proving to all mankind that He was God, Himself, come to earth to pay the penalty for the sin of all mankind. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me! So, let's live our lives in alignment with Him and His Holy Word! There's no other way to live in order to please the One who is the Giver of Life and the Grantor of Eternal Life! Join the Smiths again next week as they launch a new area of study, all intended to help build biblically healthy lives in the context of our Indigenous cultures and communities! We'll see you then!