United States (MNN) — When the hope of Christ collides with despair, only one of them ever gives way.
On Eagles’ Wings is a division of Hutchcraft Ministries that equips Native American believers to reach their peers for Jesus. The team saw the power of God again and again during their Summer of Hope outreaches this past year.
In one urban Native community, a homicide had taken place just days before their visit. Ron Hutchcraft said local Native believers spoke about the obvious despair at the first night’s gathering. “There was a confusion and a chaotic feel in the audience that usually is not there.”
One team member shared their hope story of how Jesus had changed their life. But then a mysterious bang went off, scattering the crowd. It was followed by a severe thunderstorm that finished the night.
David, the Native host for the On Eagles’ Wings team, told them privately: “There’s a blanket of darkness over this community. Life here is traumatizing.”
The On Eagles’ Wings team immediately sent out a request for prayer.
The darkness did not deter them — it made these Native young people more determined to share the hope and freedom Jesus offers. Then prayer was answered with the darkness kicked out, and hope and victory entering the park!
People listened to different Native young people speak about Christ. When the invitation came to publicly accept Christ, key men from the community stepped forward.
“In fact, the response was all [men] that night. I don’t remember ever seeing that,” Hutchcraft remarked.
Find your place in the story through continued prayer. It’s been more than a month since the summer outreaches ended, but follow-up ministry plans were already in place with local Native leaders. Pray for discipleship to be effective with new believers.
Pray for the young people whose lives were changed by the summer yet who face tough daily realities back home.
Pray for the applicants to the leadership development program with On Eagles’ Wings. Hutchcraft says, “We’re praying that they will be exactly the people that God wants, and that they will be transformed by this year of intensive discipleship.” (Read about the 2025 graduating class of leaders here!)
2025 team photo (Photo courtesy of Hutchcraft Ministries)
Header photo courtesy of Hutchcraft Ministries.
