Western Indian Ministries, Inc.

Summary

Western Indian Ministries, Inc. is a non-denominational, non-charismatic faith mission whose purpose is to partner with Native Americans in ministry as they establish churches and make disciples by using radio broadcasts over three radio stations with broadcasts in English, Navajo, and Hopi, a Christian day school for grades preschool to 9th grade, and a church development ministry that includes related services such as counseling, jail chaplaincy, etc. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Western Indian Ministries, Inc. is a non-denominational, non-charismatic faith mission whose purpose is to partner with Native Americans in ministry as they establish churches and make disciples by using radio broadcasts over three radio stations with broadcasts in English, Navajo, and Hopi, a Christian day school for grades preschool to 9th grade, and a church development ministry that includes related services such as counseling, jail chaplaincy, etc.

This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Western Indian Ministries, Inc.'s Mission Statement is:

Western Indian Ministries exists to glorify God by making discipes of native Americans, and training native Christians to be leaders in indigenous churches.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

Western Indian Ministries has started several new churches on the Najavo reservation. Two of the Churches have become self supporting. In addition the Christian School continues to expand and add additional grades. This ministry has added to its outreach efforts with a Church Development program to strenghten the Churches that have already been started.

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Western Indian Ministries, Inc's Doctrinal Statement is. Article !: We believe that the Bible. Consisting of the Old and New Testaments only, is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, is inerrant in the original manuscripts, and is the infallible and authoritative Word of God. Article 2: We believe that the one triune God exists eternally in three persons;Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Article 3: We believe that Adam, created in the image of God, was t3mpted by Satan, the ogd of this world, and fell. Because of Adam's sin, all men have guilt imputed, are totally depraved, and need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit for salvation. Article 4: We believe that Jesus Christ is God, was born of a virgin, died vicariously, shed His blood as man's substitutionary sacrifice, rose bodily, and ascended to heaven, where He is presently exalted to the Father's right hand. Article 5: We believe that salvation consists of the remission of sins, the imputation of Christ's righteousness, and the gift of eternal life received by faith alone, apart from works Article 6: We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, and that it will be visible and personal. Article 7: We believe that the saved will be raised to everlasting life and blessedness in heaven, and that the unsaved will be raised to everlasting and conscious punishment in hell. Article 8: We believe that the church, the body of Christ, consist only of those who are born again, who are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ at the time of regeneration, for whom He now makes intercession in heaven and for who He will come again. Article 9: We believe that Christ commanded the church to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing and teaching those who believe.

History [ Back to top ]

The ministry now known as Western Indian Ministries had its roots in the evangelistic work to the Navajos of the early nineteen hundreds. Howard A. Clark, its founder, was a graduate of Princeton Seminary and had pastored a Presbyterian church in Flagstaff, Arizona when he heard of the need in Navajoland. He became a missionary under the Home Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church, serving in several areas of the reservation. He started mission stations, worked in government schools, taught children and adults, pastured Navajo congregations, and had a stirring evangelistic ministry.

Because of illness The Clark family moved to New Jersey where Rev. Clark pastured two churches, one in Greenwich and the other in Deerfield. But in 1934, while pasturing the latter church, the Presbyterian Home Mission Board sent him back to Navajoland to establish the Bible school again in Fort Defiance, Arizona. In 1938 Howard Clark resigned from the Presbyterian Church because of a cut in funds for the school, and moved to the nearby community of Window Rock, leaving his support, pension and any security he may have had. A new denominationally-unaffiliated Board of Directors was formed, made up of Presbyterians, Christian Reformed, Baptist, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and independent missionaries and pastors, along with a Lutheran businessman and Dr. Harry Ironsides, pastor of Moody Memorial Church. The mission’s doctrinal statement was largely borrowed from the Moody Bible Institute, and the mission was incorporated as The Navajo Bible School and Mission, Inc.

The new mission purchased land from a local trader just outside of Window Rock. (actually in New Mexico) and Mr. And Mrs. Clark and a staff of four started the slow process of building roads, dormitories, classrooms and homes. While the major work of the mission was the Bible school, many other ministries were added over the years, including jail and hospital visitation, evangelistic teams traveling throughout the reservation, and perhaps most fruitful, a church-planting ministry. Many “outstations’ were started. Some of these have been taken over by other missions or denominations, some have closed, but the vast majority have developed into indigenous Navajo Churches.

In 1945, the mission began producing a radio program in Navajo on a local radio station in Gallup, New Mexico. It expanded to stations in Flagstaff, Holbrook and Winslow, Arizona. In 1962, application was made to the Federal Communications Commission for a license to have their own radio station. KHAC-AM went on the air on March 21, 1967 with 1,000 watts of power. Since that time, its power has been increased to 5,000 and then to 10,000 watts. In August 1980, a second station went on the air: KTBA-AM in Tuba City, Arizona, so the Gospel message could be heard in every corner of Navajoland. Then on September 20, 1995, KWIM-FM went on the air in Window Rock to give a predominately music-oriented programming to complement the teaching ministries on KHAC.

Today, Western Indian Ministries’ Hilltop Christian School provides superior educational opportunities to the Navajo and Anglo children in the area, with bus service and classes from preschool through ninth grade (and plans to expand through 12th grade are underway). Hilltop Christian School was the first cross-cultural mission school in the world to receive accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), which was granted in December, 1995. Other ministries include family and individual counseling, hospital and jail visitation, the Navajo Police Chaplaincy, and other evangelistic programs. A new ministry is providing a place to stay for unwed pregnant teens.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

Western Indian Ministries, Inc. expressed the following needs:

Prayers: We are in a spiritual battle with the forces of darkness. The greatest weapon we have is prayer. Your earnest prayer for this ministry and for Native Americans is urgently needed.

Financial Support: Ministering adequately requires materials, facilities and manpower. All these require funds to sustain them. Your financial partnership will help Western India Ministries reach out effectively to the Navajo and Hopi people.

Physical Help: Perhaps God has given you skills and abilities in certain areas: carpentry, landscaping, construction, auto or truck repair, clerical work, etc. Or you just want to be used by God in whatever way possible. Opportunities abound for volunteer and missionary service at Western Indian Ministries. Contact our office for details.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Evangelism Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		121 of 348	14 of 28
Fund Acquisition Decision		121 of 348	14 of 28
Resource Allocation Decision		of 348	24 of 28
Asset Utilization Decision		of 348	24 of 28