How BMI became involved with the 1st Nations "Native" People
Our thoughts on some of the controversies... because there are a few (remember Peter and the "unclean things" in Acts...)
written by Karie Kirschbaum 2009"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings. If you are reading this you may have been wondering why Believers' Ministry Int'l. (Jeff & I as founders) are so involved with the Native American, 1st Nations movement amongst the people. Specifically we are involved with the worship and word aspect.
I (Karie) am just a white Viking. Jeff has Cherokee blood from his mother's side and Jewish from his Father's (German). We were so busy working for the Kingdom, we had never taken time to consider the generational blessings of our heritage. Please read on and contact us if you have any questions.
It all started with a vision:
I can't tell you what year, but it was after 1997- One day I walked into the church in the basement of Fontana. I was by myself and just thinking about the meeting I was preparing for. As I stepped inside the door, in the Spirit - though very clear- I saw a "mantle" laying on the floor of our sanctuary. It was blue with stripes of black, white red, yellow and other colors woven into it. This beautiful thing lay in a heap as though it was discarded and unwanted.
"What is it?" I asked the Father. He answered "It is a call for the Native People" When I heard the word "Native", I saw the Indigenous people of the many lands Jeff and I have traveled and some we had not yet been to. There was also a special longing placed in my heart for those of N. America.
Though this should seem like a significant event, somehow in the business of life, church, raising kids, ministers and travel...I forgot about it.
Then came the prophesy:
Some time a bit before the year 2000 our prayer group came back with a prophesy that Jeff should "find a Native American and confess the sins of the "white men" towards them". ???.... we had never heard of such thing. So- being "normal" people who know the Lord had happened...we did our best to try to help Him out! LOL. Needless to say, it failed but the warfare over this word and this "call" was more violent and intense than any we had experienced up to that point in our ministry. So, we waited and kept it hidden in our hearts.
The Trail of Connections...you may recognize many of these names:
The Prophesy fulfilled...in HIS time...
One day Mando & Vicky Rodarte came to us and said they had some good friends, Rudy & Cindy Caballero from the Native realm that were going to be in our area and asked if we would like them to speak at the meeting that week. We were happy to have them.
I'll never forget the date. It was July 28th on my birthday. Wish I could remember the year! Anyway, we met Rudy & Cindy and got our first glimpse of Native Ministry in the church. It was so beautiful with Rudy's staff, eagle feathers and kind heart and Cindy's beautiful shawl and dance. They shared from their hearts the love of the Creator towards all people and His heart to touch and heal rifts etc...
Suddenly Cindy looked at Jeff and said "Pastor, will you come up here"? He did. Cindy turned to him and explained to all of us that her tribe was the tribe of the land we were on and she would like to ask forgiveness for "her people" holding anger etc... against the white man. Suddenly Jeff, myself and many of the prayer group members all felt a jolt; This was THAT.
Jeff fell to his knees and started to cry. He knew what to do. He asked forgiveness on behalf of the white man for what they had done to her people etc... it was so emotional all the details escape me. I just remember sitting in my seat and suddenly feeling as though there were a baby in my womb and it had just turned to get ready for the birth.
Richard & Katherine Twiss of Wiconi Int'l. came into our lives:
Rudy and Cindy called one day and told us a friend of theirs was going to be in our area and they would like us to host them. We were in- we had already "crossed the line" and were on our way.
The Twiss' came to our church that day - it was packed with standing room only. There was beautiful regalia and dancers everywhere. We had a blast. Richard told horrible jokes and we all got them. Very sad statement for our people. Richard began to share the Father's heart for His Native people - that they would be "First" in leading out for the Glory of "The Creator God". He shared his vision that the Reservations would be the senders of Missionaries and Ministers to all nations of the world, including "Turtle Island". Many hearts were moved and inspired as he spoke.
Are you ashamed to be called an Indian?
At the end, he did an altar call for those who are Native and have been ashamed to admit it. Imagine our shock (Jeff & I) when 30%-40% of our church members stood up and answered the call. The were weeping. Many of them from the WWII generation that had never confessed to anyone their "hidden shame' of being Native. We wept with them.
In addition to the Americans, we discovered those who had come from other nations as well. It explained the original drum beat of our worship- Indonesian. Of course! The driving forces in our Worship community (Esther & Johanna and Phil the drummer) were all Indonesian from the lands of Holland. Phil was a 2nd generation, Johanna and Esther were first over to America. Other's from Mexico wept alongside those of the American tribes. Wow.
Now that you have an idea...Where do you go from there?
Soon we, along with our people began to attend various Native- 1st Nations gatherings around the Southwest United states and many outreach ministries have come from our BMI People. Mando & Vicky Rodarte began the "Healing Wounded Wings/W.O.M.P (Weapons of Mass Percussion) team. Jennifer Matthews began taking Drug & Alcohol Counseling classes and now works as a counselor with the schools and reservations in So. California. Louis & Diana Barragan joined BMI and opened 1st Nations Native Christian Church in El Monte California lat 2008. It is 100% Native with drum teams & talking circles. It is beautiful.
Later we were blessed to meet various other ministries such as Terry & Darlene Wildman and RAINSONG with their beautiful native sound and flute and they changed our lives with their tender spirit. We love them. Though we do not know Johathan Miracle, his music has expanded our musical "thought life" dramatically. Them and so many other musicians have helped to mold us into who we are today. I look forward to meeting more.
Did we have warfare over allowing all those feathers and drums in our meetings? Yes...but it was the Sage Smoke that really got them...LOL.
But then you have to ask: Did you hear God say...?
Through our travels, I have met many people on two sides of this move of God - Some that love the Culture of the 1st Nations and feel there are parts that are to be redeemed and those that feel it is witchcraft/spiritualism and it must be completely thrown out.
We love them all.
One day, I may write a book on the many meetings, controversies, hilarious mistakes and bad moves we have made in regards to this move of God. We have offended, been offended, been told off, been hugged and received more beautiful gifts than you can imagine but it is all worth it. We have met some great folks.
I don't really know how God puts up with all of us "always being right", but he does.
There are some Natives and White men who believe there is NO place for the culture of the Native in their lives once they become Christians; it is witchcraft and spiritualism. Many of these people are my friends and I love to minister with them. We agree to disagree in most of those areas and keep our fellowship on the Cross and the Blood of Jesus. It must be that way until this matter be established. Extremes are always there - but never totally right or wrong.
We welcome all and embrace the privilege of enjoying your fellowship, friendship and warm hugs.
Blessings to you from Jeff and I.
Chief Joseph Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt (1840-1904)
He was famous for his quatation; "I will fight no more forever" but he said much more to give us insight into his heart and thoughts regarding his people, the whit man and more.
"It does not require many words to speak the truth."
Quote by Chief Joseph, Nez Perc'e Tribe