ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Each morning, the Navajo BIC Overcomers rehab meeting starts with worship. But in these worship services, there are no hymnals or pianos.
In this Navajo Brethren in Christ community, worship happens around a drum. Everyone sits on a chair in a circle, as equals, including the speaker. As they drum, play the flute, and dance together, they lift their hearts in worship, singing praise songs from the Navajo culture.
For nearly 400 years, Christians came to the Navajo people, expecting them to rally around hymns and a 30-minute sermon in English. While the intentions were good, it wasn’t working. Despite the efforts, only 6 percent of the Navajo nation calls themselves Christians.
Today, Christian worship experiences intentionally connect with the Navajo culture. One step in the integration process happened when Ben Stoner wrote songs in the Navajo language, specifically to be sung around a drum. This attracted many new men to the Overcomers meetings.
“Worship comes from the heart, not the forms that we’re using,” said Ralph Yoder, referring to the forms of European hymns. Yoder came to serve at the Navajo BIC Mission in Bloomfield, New Mexico, in 2008, with his wife, Bonnie, as the directors for the Overcomers rehab program.
The Yoders are originally from New Paris, Ind. When the couple heard of the work God was doing and the need for new directors, they knew they had to join in. Although Ralph had never visited the Navajo Reservation, when they moved there, “it felt like coming home,” he said.
The Navajo BIC Mission has partnered with SOOP for six years. SOOP participants join the Navajo BIC Mission in service during the three months that the Overcomers program takes place (February to May or August to November).
As a volunteer assignment, SOOP participants live in the homes where participants in the rehab program stay. The SOOP participants live in community and provide a listening ear for those going through rehab, which is particularly healing, said Yoder. “It’s living out the gospel.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
