Something that the Lord has put on my heart recently is the importance of coming together as believers and encouraging each other as the Body of Christ. 

 

Over the past few months, I've had conversations with other believers and ministers on the reservation who all seemed to be in the "heat of the battle", struggling with serious discouragement and heartache.  After several of these conversations, we made a plan to get together.  Not to plan a ministry event, not to lead a service, not to do, but simply to be together as one Body.  To share.  Listen.  Encourage.  Pray. 

 

Last night was our first get-together and five of us sat around a table at Dakota Baptist Church in Fort Totten, eating M&Ms and sharing our hearts about the joys and pains of life and ministry on the rez.  It was such a blessing to hear about what each person has been experiencing and such an encouragement to hear about how the Lord has and is bringing them through!  It was a very special time, talking about the Lord, reminding each other of truth, "building each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and praying together.

 

I think last night was a confirmation that we need to continue to get together like this.  Our plan right now is to set aside one night a month to talk, encourage, and pray together.  Please pray that the Body of Christ on the reservation would be unified and strengthened!  Ask the Lord to use these get-togethers to unify us as one Body and to encourage each other in the various works that the Lord has us doing.  Pray that people would see Christ's love and grace through us as we love and encourage each other.