|
Tale
of a Navajo Church
by Tulley Lee
|
The
new Mariano Lake Community Church
|
In November 2003, Mariano Lake Community Church, NM, celebrated
50 years of ministry with the dedication of their new church building.
Churches from the area around the small town of Mariano Lake brought
their choirs and came together to join in the celebration and dedication.
A tribal council member was present to extend congratulations. A
Thanksgiving dinner was also part of the celebration.
The church had its beginning in a small trailer, later converted
to a parsonage. Then, a small hogan-style church was built to accommodate
the growing congregation. A warehouse garage was the next meeting
place for many years before the new church was built.
Jones
and Grace Dehiya, Mariano Lake pastors |
The ministry in Mariano Lake began in 1962 when missionaries came
with a great hope and vision for the Navajo people. After ten years
of struggle and determined labor of love, the missionaries found
a Navajo couple to take leadership. With limited English language
skills but with enormous faith in Jesus Christ, Jones and Grace
Dehiya took up the great challenge of answering the call of ministering
to their own people. It is a wonderful testimony to witness the
rise of leadership as exemplified by this couple.
Ernest
Largo is now studying to be a pastor. |
American Indian Bible Ministries (AIBM) has been privileged and
honored to have been a part of this community and seen such growth
in Native leadership. One man, Ernest Largo, became a Christian
in this church in 2000 and now is in his second year of Bible school
in Flagstaff, AZ. He is 47 years old with a family, but determined
to answer the call to be God's servant and minister to the Navajo
people. Mary Davis, T.H. Lee's mother, was a member of the church
until her passing in January 2003.
Young people are active and very much a part of this growing church
and there is no lack of talent. One of the young people, Harold,
has made a praise and worship album.
God definitely has His hand on this church.
Pastor
Tulley H. Lee is the leader of American Indian Bible Ministries. |
