ATLANTA (ABP) — Until last summer, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship didn't have much of a ministry presence in Buffalo County, S.D.
Leaders from Together for Hope, CBF's rural-poverty initiative that works in 20 of America's poorest counties, had identified the county as a place where transforming ministry could take place. But they couldn't find any group to make a long-term commitment to ministry there.
Kathleen and Ray Kesner, then Together for Hope facilitators in South Dakota, had been learning about the county and building relationships with local leaders. When they shared the ministry need with Ashworth Road Baptist Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, members responded. As one of the closest CBF partner churches to Buffalo County, a few members made the seven-hour drive to Crow Creek Indian Reservation, one of the county's largest reservations, where they met with leaders.
“They just captured our hearts,” said Tim Deatrick, the church's pastor. “We realize the importance of making long-term commitments, and we're hoping to be invested in the work of Crow Creek for years to come.”
In less than a year, church members have made several trips to Crow Creek to build relationships and learn how they could help. Already they've provided funding to help financially strapped Boys and Girls Clubs stay open, and have donated funds and labor to build a new playground.
“The playground was provided to a community that has been completely overlooked,” said church member David Phillips, who, along with his wife, Jami, serves as TFH ministry facilitator in South Dakota. “The donation of the playground and, even more, the labor to install it communicate to the people of Crow Creek that they are important to us.”
Last September church members traveled again to Crow Creek to deliver new clothes and school supplies for 300 children on the reservation. Local leaders worked to give correct clothing sizes to the church, and the church raised the money to purchase each child a new coat and outfit for school.
“We didn't go to [local leaders] and say, 'This is something we want to do,'” Deatrick said. “We asked them, 'How can we help you be successful? What can we do to help you?' The coats and clothes were their idea.”
Church member Scott Oswald was on that distribution trip and has been touched by the community's desire to better the reservation.
“They have a sense of community and family and try to overcome such huge obstacles to have a better way of life,” he said.
Thus far, more than half the church's members have been to Crow Creek. The ministry partnership is making missions accessible for every member who wants to experience missions firsthand, Deatrick said.
“The church is being changed and transformed because individuals are going out and being changed and transformed. That's what we want,” he said. “They can go and have the experience and not just do something, but really make an impact.”
This summer the church has another trip planned. Leaders hope to take 50 church members — about half of the congregation — to work with children and teenagers and do construction projects. In August, with financial backing from Ashworth Road, two members will move to Crow Creek. As law-school students who will graduate in May, they will be a resource for legal issues and economic development on the reservation.
“We're excited about what's going on in the church,” Deatrick said. “We really think that what's happening is a God thing. We're just hanging on for the ride and looking forward to seeing some other great things happen.”
“The most important thing churches like Ashworth Road provide is a sense of worth to the people who live on the reservation,” said Jami Phillips. “It has been such a joy to see the Native Americans realize that when these church members look at them, they don't see an Indian or a Marine or a single mother or an alcoholic. They see a child of God who is worthy of love and compassion because that is the way he sees his children.”
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