Ministries of Native Congregations

Mennonite Mission Network is walking alongside the emerging Ministries of Native Congregations, which brings together the former Mennonite Indian Leaders Council and United Native Ministries. Leaders are seeking the status of an associate group within the Mennonite Church USA, while "relating as closely as possible" with Native Ministries Canada. The group seeks to gather for Native Assemblies every two years, with every third assembly taking place in Canada. While Mennonite Mission Network is not responsible for program in this area, it still relates to Ministries of Native Congregations by:

• Providing some financial support.
• Seeking to support Native American pastors by facilitating partnerships between Native American congregations and other Mennonite Church USA congregations.
• Administering the budget for the former MILC program.
• Naming a staff person as a liaison to hear and advocate on behalf of Native concerns.

MILC was formed in 1968 to support the life and ministry of Mennonite Native congregations in Arizona, Louisiana, Montana and Oklahoma. Mission outreach among the Cheyenne and Arapaho people in Oklahoma began in 1880 by General Conference Mennonites. MILC was administered by the former Commission on Home Ministries.

United Native Ministries began in 1987 as an associate group within the former Mennonite Church. It was formed to encourage fellowship among Native congregations, advocate for concerns in the denomination and work at specific ministry needs.

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