In 1995, we attended Taylor County camp meeting in Butler, Georgia, and became aware of staff needs at WGM’s Southwest Indian School in Peoria, Arizona, on the American Indian Field. During the camp meeting, we met three Navajo students who were attending SIS, and it was then that the Lord began to speak to our hearts about serving Him at the school. We gave this leading a lot of prayer before making any firm decisions.

     I (Mark) was serving as the children’s pastor at our home church, and Cindy was our church pianist and the vice president of a community bank. We also both sang with the praise and worship team, and we had just remodeled our home. It seemed that we were a typical American upper-middle class suburban family. Six months later, God confirmed in our hearts that He wanted us to go into full-time missionary service, and all of our possessions and jobs became mere things with no eternal significance. What really mattered were the souls of the Native Americans who needed to know about Jesus.

     We can’t describe to you the turn of events in our lives that began as soon as we surrendered it all to God. He sold our home in 11 days in addition to three cars that we no longer needed and many other items in a matter of months. Although we have met many difficult challenges as missionaries, we have also grown in the Lord, and He has blessed us so much. We would never return to the life we had before. Serving the Lord where He has called is by far the greatest joy and satisfaction one could have.

    

What We Do

Mark: I served as school pastor during our first year at SIS. During our second year, I assisted a Navajo pastor. I have also worked in the school’s maintenance department throughout the years, keeping the 18-plus acres mowed, appliances repaired, air conditioners working, etc. SIS closed as a boarding school in 1998, but most of our missionaries and all of our administration offices are still located on the same campus, renamed Southwest Indian Ministries Center. Currently, I serve as WGM’s field media person, publishing field literature and designing logos and business cards for our staff.

Cindy: I serve as WGM’s field treasurer. Mark and I also use our musical talents to minister at staff events and chapels and at All Nations Church, the urban Native American church we attend in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. I am the church pianist, and we are working with the music leader to use a more contemporary style of music to attract the younger Native American people in the valley to come to church. In addition, we have a weekly time of sharing in music, Scripture, and testimonies as we encourage the residents and staff at Gila River Indian Care Center.

We are also prepared to train, equip, mentor, and disciple Native American pastors, lay leaders, and Sunday School teachers. Our ultimate desire is to train them to carry on the work and train others. We want to partner with Native Americans to see this become a reality on the reservations and in urban Phoenix. We also hold education and reading camps, work teams, camp meetings, and married couples retreats at SIMC.