By: Clay Oglesbee

Bishop Bruce R. Ough and the Cabinets from the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences shared several days last week in hands-on mission service with the Native American community at Spirit Lake Ministry Center in Sheyenne, North Dakota.

They led a “church camp” experience with about 40 children and teens each day, repainted pow wow grounds and re-built bleachers for the annual pow wow, and built a deck and ramp for a Native American couple. The husband was a noted dancer at pow wows but now has health difficulties; the deck and ramp will allow him to enter and leave his home with more comfort and confidence. 

The Spirit accompanied the Cabinets in their days of service. They held devotions every day and learned about Native American spirituality. There is substantial overlap between figures like Saint Francis in Christian traditions and the Native Americans’ understanding of their place upon the Earth.

Spirit Lake Ministry Center is a United Methodist mission-base for outreach to the Spirit Lake Nation, and church mission teams are welcome for hands-on service projects. 

Consider taking a church group; sleeping is dormitory-style. Those interested can contact Mike and Libby Flowers by e-mail at Childharvest@msn.com or by phone at (701) 799-1174.

View video of Cabinets’ mission week

View video about Spirit Lake Ministry Center

Spirit Lake Ministry Center website

Rev. Clay Oglesbee is the Minnesota Annual Conference’s River Valley District Superintendent.