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Welcome to Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo's
- EMPHASIS & GOAL
Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo's (FMN) is a non-denominational, evangelical mission with the goal to fulfill the Great Commission among the Navajo (Diné) people. It seeks to accomplish this goal by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, discipling Diné believers, and establishing indigenous Diné churches.
- ORGANIZATION
FMN was founded by the team of Katherine Beard, Imo Wardlow, and Dr. Walter L. Wilson in the late 1940's. It was incorporated in 1948 for the propagation of the Gospel among the Diné and other tribes. It is governed by a Board of Directors whose policies and guidelines are carried out through administrative directors. A field council of Navajo pastors, missionaries, and staff meets biannually to evaluate, plan, and coordinate the various ministries of FMN and the Navajo churches.
FINANCIAL: FMN gladly adheres to the requirements of the Association of North American Missions. The Board of Directors has required annual audits by a certified public accounting firm and financial reports are prepared monthly. Financial contributions for missionaries and various projects are tax deductible and promptly receipted in compliance with regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. Financial statements are available upon request.
ASSOCIATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY: FMN and its missionaries, Pastors and Navajo workers will enthusiastically associate and cooperate with those individuals and organizations who hold to our doctrinal statement, financial and ministry philosophy. FMN is also a member in good standing with the Association of North American Missions.
FMN rejoices to see the fruit of its labor among the Din e. The Dine Christians are becoming one of the most zealous in preaching the gospel their own people and reaching out to other tribes as well. Our headquarters is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The vast area in which we labor encompasses some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world; the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Lake Powell. A GoogleMap link of our location in northern Arizona is provided below. FMN has successfully planted eight churches in the western and central portions of the vast 25,000 square mile Dine Nation. Each of these churches is shepherded by Navajo pastors and leaders.
The summer months are devoted to a variety of evangelistic outreach ministries: Vacation Bible Schools, Five-Day Clubs, Camp Meetings, Bible Conferences, Youth Retreats, and our own annual Family Camp. Each church is involved in at least five of these events throughout the summer. At Christmas, FMN in pardnership with each church conducts evangelistic meetings in churches, boarding schools, and community meeting halls throughout the various reservation communities. during these meetings we give Christmas gifts provided by faithful supporters to everyone who comes. For many this is the only time of the season where they hear of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These year-round ministries provide us with unmatched opportunities to tell of God's love and gift of eternal life.
Among the 14 Indian tribes of Arizona, the Navajo tribe is the largest. In fact, the Navajo tribe is the largest in the United States, with some 200,000 people occupying the largest land area reserved for Native Americans - 17 million acres in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. The tribe has its own government which works in close relationship with the U.S. government. The Native Americans were once considered "The Vanishing Americans" but their numbers are now rising, even though they face an identity crisis in their own land.
For economic survival, hundreds of Navajos have left the reservation and have gone to Flagstaff and other southwestern cities for employment. However, large numbers remain on the land, seeking to support themselves with their livestock and arts of rug weaving and silversmithing. the Navajos
Historically, the Navajos never asked the U.S. government for aid, but were allotted land and livestock which they might keep for their sustenance. So they are noted for their sheep herding, doing so in a high desert plateau region where pasture and water are scarce. From the sheep wool, they produce their world renown rugs.
Silversmithing has also become an important means of livelihood. The silver is purchased in large sheets, cut up, and melted to produce their beautiful jewelry inlaid with coral, turquoise, and mother of pearl. All this jewelry was originally hand crafted but lately, machine made jewelry has become common off the reservation. In recent years the price of Navajo arts and crafts has skyrocketed, partly due to the shortage of turquoise, silver, and individuals able to make them.
The Navajo people are proud of their integrity, industry, native talent, and ingenuity. They make excellent artists and craftsmen. When the native soldiers came back from World War II, the curse of alcohol set back many of them but even this curse is being slowly overcome.
FMN has rejoiced to see the fruit of its labor among the Navajos. Many Navajo Christians have become faithful servants of the Lord, filled with zeal to reach their own people with the Gospel and to toil and sacrifice in the "harvest field" for Christ. With its headquarters located in Flagstaff, AZ, FMN has planted and established eight Navajo churches in the western and central portions of the vast 25,000 square mile Navajo Reservation. Each of these eight churches is shepherded by Navajo pastors and leaders. The names and pictures of our current Navajo pastors can be seen by clicking on a church location on the map. Photos property of Flagstaff Mission to the Navajos.
The challenge of providing timely and exciting missions education in the local church is often great. Some think of missions and cross-cultural ministries only in terms of going to foreign lands. Yet opportunities abound in our own backyard and many times at less expense, including outreach to the intercity and rural reservations of the Native Americans.
FMN offers such a window of opportunity on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona. Mission work on the Navajo Reservation is similar to mission work in foreign territories in that vast differences exist between the angle culture and the Native American culture. These differences include, but are not limited to, dress, food, language, and religion.
We offer three possible short-term ministry opportunities. Your church group can come as a ministry team to help with a vacation Bible school, Family Camp, or other outreach ministries, as a work project team, or as a combined work/ministry team.
The main purposes of this program are:
- To provide hands-on exposure to missions and cross-cultural ministry for students and adults who are serious about serving God in a meaningful way to educate and train disciples to serve others.
- To provide Navajo churches and our Mission with spiritual and physical assistance in reaching the lost for the Kingdom of the Lord. In this way, you are co-laborers with us in fulfilling the great commission among the Navajos.
If God is leading you into short term missionary service, this may be your window of opportunity! For further information on how you and/or your church group can get involved in any area of service, please contact our Field Director.
Daniel Taggart
General Director |
