Project Overview:
The San Carlos Apache Reservation is one of the poorest reservations in the nation, with an extremely high unemployment rate. Consequently, alcoholism, drug abuse, and gang activity have become coping mechanisms. Suicide among teens is four times higher than the national average. Less than 10% of the people claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior — their only answer to the hopelessness surrounding them.

We will partner with Duane and Susie Syx and Jamie Whitfield of First Nations Ministries to bring the hope of Jesus to the San Carlos Apache people. First Nations Ministries is dedicated to modeling Christ with the style of ministry described in Matthew 25:34-50: sharing in one another’s joys and sorrows while pointing to the Heavenly Father.

Ministry Description:
Our team may join First Nations Ministries in building relationships with youth and their families through discipleship groups, Bible studies, and Sunday school classes and by providing for physical needs such as groceries and home repair.

We will work right alongside Duane, Susie, and Jamie as they disciple their youth group teens and their families through youth events and services, dinners, game nights, video game times in the youth center, and by just hanging out sharing lives. Celebrating with new Apache friends, we will end the week with a fun outing. We might go fishing or swimming, or host a pizza party or game night.

Ministry takes place in the afternoon and evening on the rez. Mornings are reserved for daily orientation, worship, personal devotion time, and chores.