“The Heartbeat of God” As leaders in our Lord’s harvest and care, would you be kind enough to give me permission to share a deep concern of mine? You have possibly heard it repeated many times that ‘Missions is the Heartbeat of God!’ That is absolutely true! The cross and resurrection is the proof of His heart. With that in mind, may I ask to you to earnestly seek His direction on how you may become involved in this unique focus of His heartbeat? This past year has been one of challenge and it is certainly the case among our Native American congregations. Currently, we have 15 congregations; most are located in the Navajo Nation, a few among the Pueblos, and one each in the Dulce and Mescalero Apache Reservations. Each and every work is critical and impacting and, on some level, needs attention because of their locale and culture. I am proud to say that the New Mexico Ministry Network has a legacy founded on Missions, especially as directed around the world. It is my desire that I can encourage you to take a strong look at making part of your Missions efforts to be focused on our Native Ministries. I believe that, with the passion of our churches, we can significantly impact our Native congregations with financial support, actual engagement, and spiritual awareness. Over the past 12 years, I have been privileged to travel to all but one of our Native works and I continue to be amazed at what our pastors and churches are accomplishing in the most difficult of situations. That is why, Pastor and Church Leader, I am asking you to consider including a monthly commitment in your missions budget to our Native ministries. It will help provide needed utilities, quality sound equipment, pastoral compensation, improved housing for our pastors and so much more! I would love to introduce you to any of our pastors and their church families so that you can see and hear firsthand what God is doing, desiring to do, and how you can help. We are excited to announce that we have two young couples that are just now beginning in pastoral ministry among our First Nation family and, I believe, if you would invite them into your church to share their vision, that your congregation will fall in love with them. Across our Native works we have church facilities that need physical attention, so I would encourage you to consider bringing a ‘missions work team’ to uplift and upgrade their efforts. I could take all the space in this specific LINK to reveal to you all the needs, but I trust that with the few words that I have shared that the Holy Spirit has nudged your heart to the needs here in New Mexico. I do desire to follow up with you in the days ahead regarding mission ministry opportunities, so please look out for a letter from the Network Office about how you can get involved. Thank you for caring, for praying and for doing...it is His Heartbeat!
Marcus McClain, Assistant Network Pastor