“Our Children Are Dying!”
This is the cry of the parents, elders and leaders of the Native American and First Nations People of the United States and Canada.
The following was submitted by Johnny Hughes, president of Indian Ministries of North America (IMNA), an independent organization affiliated with the Church of God.
The suicide rate among First Nations people is three times the national average for ages 15-24, and exceeds that in many areas, such as Alaska, where it soars to 12 times the national average. For ages 10-14, the rate is an alarming four times that of the general population. The Native American youth are killing themselves in record numbers. Filled with despair, confusion and hopelessness, they see suicide as the only answer to the hurt inside of them. These feelings are brought on by all of the introduced behaviors, physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, etc. In addition, there is extreme poverty, alcoholism and drug addictions that lead to a life of loneliness and a feeling of absolutely no self-worth. A generation that feels so unloved, misplaced and rejected by society is searching desperately for an answer to the pain in their inner being.
“Where is the church?” That is the cry ringing out from the ministries that are passionately attempting to reach this generation and this population with the gospel of Jesus Christ. America, we are part of the world, and it is time that the church starts turning some her attention and resources toward our own homeland. The First Americans are in desperate need of the truth and the hope that a relationship with Christ will bring. It is time for the church to arise, with the fire of the Holy Spirit and sacrificially lay ourselves over a forgotten people like Paul did over the deceased boy in Acts 20. It is time that the resurrection power of Christ is manifested in a group of people that hold the key to America’s spiritual future. Numerous prophetic words have been spoken that if America is to see a true end-time revival, it will come through those who possess the authority over the land. Billy Graham called the Native Americans the “sleeping giant.” It is time for the giant to awake!
As an ambassador for Christ, Indian Ministries of North America, Inc., is reaching into the hearts of the Native youth across America. For the last few years, our goal and vision has become focused on igniting a fire into a generation of bold warriors. We have made a commitment to teach, train, and release covenant warriors into the footprints of Christ. Therefore, a group of young leaders, who are passionate about their relationship with Christ, is rising up and storming the gates of Hell to rescue their families and peers.
Many of these new leaders have experienced the spirit of suicide first hand. They have had family members and close friends fall prey to this demonic beast that is prowling the earth. Evident through their personal testimonies, most have had to confront this spiritual attack in their own lives. As testified to by a young Navajo teen, “My home life was always a continual argument, no one got along with each other and the split was coming. I began to cut, to show my parents the pain they were causing me and it became easier each time. The demonic oppression became so heavy that I couldn’t take it anymore! I tied a rope around my neck and over the closet rod. I jumped from a chair, and as I was gasping for my last breath, something cut the cord. I lay face down, passed out on the floor for some time, but when I awoke, there was an overwhelming presence of God in my room. He spoke to me and said, “‘You cannot end it this way. I have a purpose for your life!’ God cut the cord!”
In contrast, this summer I stood at the casket of a 12-year-old Lakota boy on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He had been enjoying the fellowship of Christian youth at a day camp. However, he didn’t have the strength to combat the devouring attack of the enemy that was waiting to ambush him at home. His grandmother found him with a rope around his neck. God gave us favor as this traditional family asked our Christian youth to sing at the wake. With tears streaming down their faces, the Navajo youth stood beside his casket and sang about the love, joy and hope that come through Christ. It is impossible to know what walls were chipped away as Lakota families were open to see the love of Christ in the caring faces of the Navajo teens. There were four other teen suicides this same week and another seven after we left the Pine Ridge area. We are receiving calls about the increase in suicides in other reservations as Satan tries to destroy a chosen generation.
Areas of the Native American land have the highest poverty rate in our nation and life expectancy is many times lower than anywhere in the western hemisphere except for Haiti…..hope must arise. These are the stories that are a part of everyday life for Native American youth. Some are joyful interventions of the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, and some are full of desperation questions for lost loved ones.
What will the next story be? Where will it come from? What Native American youth will hear the Word and realize the hope that comes from a redeemed life?
It is time to arise and stir the “sleeping giant.” It is time to put this spirit of suicide under our feet!
We need the church now! Arise and join together with IMNA and our Native youth team to storm the gates of Hell and take these youth from the mouth of the devourer. We are looking for 250 churches over the next six months to stand with us and commit to prayer and a financial investment for the next 3 years. This will allow us to go into some of the most desperate areas and give them hope.
If you can help make a difference, please contact Indian Ministries of North America, Inc., P.O. Box 3472, Cleveland, TN., 37320 or call 423-479-3831. The Web site is www.indianministries.org. Church of God World Missions Project # 7530073.
