Southwest Indian Ministries Looks to the Future
The following is a testimony from Clayton Williams, superintendent for the Church of God ministry to First Americans in Gallup, New Mexico:
It is an honor to serve the First Americans of the southwest as the new Superintendent of Southwest Indian Ministries. God has many great things planned for this ministry. I am humbled that he has given me great passion, vision and the opportunity to work these plans.
God planted the desire in me to serve the First Americans of the southwest in the mid-1990’s during my studies at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. After graduation, my family and I were led to Mt. Olive Ministry Center Church of God in Arlington, Texas in August of 2000.
There, under the leadership of Pastor Gary Sands, I was assigned the duties of youth pastor for about two years. Later, I was moved to the position of evangelism director for the church. During this time my wife and I were given the opportunity, with the help of the church and Pastor Sands, to make short-term mission trips to New Mexico and Arizona. Our compassion and passion for the wonderful Native Americans began to grow even more. It was about two and a half years from that time that we both realized the Lord was calling us to a full time ministry in the Four Corners Region. We willingly accepted that calling.
When my family and I arrived here permanently five and a half years ago, at God’s call, we just wanted to be a blessing to these wonderful people in as many areas of ministry as possible. During this time, my wife Becky, and daughter Tiffany and myself, have been able to learn much of the culture and establish many wonderful friendships with the Native American people. As a member of the Choctaw Nation, I find that my life is greatly enriched by integrating my family and myself into the cultures of the Four Corners Region. We are greatly blessed!
As time progressed, I was appointed as the youth and Christian education director for Southwest Indian Ministries and served in that position for four years. During those four years Southwest Indian Ministries saw over five hundred young people come to Christ. We were able, with God’s help, to successfully start and maintain an annual Christmas youth rally, beginning in 2006, and a local Winterfest, beginning in April 2007. Both have continued every year. Our summer youth camps have been successful and improved every year. Jesus has saved and changed many lives, young and old, through every one of these events.
Now, the future looks even brighter. God has given a definite and detailed vision and direction for Southwest Indian Ministries and the many pastors, evangelists and churches it serves. The first part of this vision is to reach for integrity in ministry as well as improvement of communication. These two aspects are so important in the administration and implementation of God’s plan.
Second, there must be a unified effort to reach the youth of the First Americans. These young people and children will be lost to the ways and teachings of the world if we do not reach them. We must, with a concentrated effort, reach out to them with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To complete the vision, God wants to set forth proper education in the Scriptures. Arrangements are already being made in order to fulfill this plan. In my visits with the pastors and their church members, I have found that they are hungry to learn and to be discipled. As a result, we are currently teaching and scheduling sessions for the immediate and distant future. These brothers and sisters in Christ are excited to see that much is being done regarding proper discipleship.
It will be quite a task to fulfill this vision. However, with God’s help, showing His love and through constant prayer, the task will be completed.
Contact information:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1057, Gallup, NM 87305
Office Phone: 505-905-3996
Clayton Williams
Superintendent, Southwest Indian Ministries
