October 15, 2007

Friends and Family in Christ,

The Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship and our non-profit arm, the Lakota Training Leadership Institute, are now centralizing in order to share resources.  Due to lease issues, it was important to refocus the two ministries.  The founders, as well as most of the staff and volunteers involved with LTLI, are from the Gospel Fellowship church.  It was time to establish a stronger ministry with a centralized point, which will now be located at the Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship campus.  Here are some of the things we will be doing in 2008:

      Educational Programming

• Computer training for adults (we have new Dell computers on their way)

• GED training

• Checkbook and personal finance classes

• Automotive classes

• Recording studio opportunities

• Youth development

   Speaker’s bureau—to provide a forum for Lakota people to speak about different topics such as Lakota history, benefits of sexual abstinence, etc. at:

• Schools

• Churches

• Universities

• Other assemblies

Our main focus at this point is to make sure our staff people have housing.  The move from the former LTLI campus will displace a number of the staff whose homes were on campus.  In response to this, we will be renovating at least one trailer in the next few weeks.  If anyone is interested, you are welcome to come and lend a hand.  We need carpenters and laborers. 

As we speak, we will be seeking to develop Ata’s Auto across the street from our church.  Lakota Training and Leadership Institute will manage a full accounting office that will train office staff to have an accounts receivable.   We hope to see young people fixing cars, creating and filing invoices, and making sure people get their cars back in a timely manner.

Gospel Fellowship

We would like to thank you for your prayers.  We have seen many spiritual battles over the last few months.  Many of you know Ata Jack—he has gone through the battles and felt like giving up.  I remember him telling me about the month of June.  He told me it was one of the most difficult battles as he battled with depression.  Maybe some of you have dealt with depression?  Ata has come through the fire and is serving the Lord.  It is a powerful statement when you can stand up to all of your relatives and say you choose Jesus.  Ata is one of the strongest men I know, but I have also seen this 6’5, 275 pound man pour out his heart.  He is truly worth investing in when you talk about Lakota ministry and development.  Ata has been my associate for about 7 years and needs lots of encouragement and prayers.  

Henry is our youth leader and he is great at talking with teenagers.  He surely has a gift with young people.   Last week we had nineteen youth in our Sunday night youth group.  Henry would like to open a youth center and will need help in keeping the lights on as well as the rent for the building.  Something that I am learning is the need to talk to my staff and see what their dreams are and try to help fulfill them as we live for the Lord on the Pine Ridge Reservation. 

The Van

We are working on our van, and it will begin to pick people up for church!  We bought a twenty-two passenger van a few years ago, and Ata will be working on it so it can transport people.  We are excited to see what happens with the bus.  Maybe you would like to help it with fuel, as it has become expensive to run.  

I almost bought a $3+ loaf of bread.  I was shocked!  Our Lakota people are actually buying bread at this outrageous cost—but then exploitation is the norm here in Pine Ridge.  With the bus we will be able to take people to Chadron, Nebraska for a cheaper rate of food.  After all, food is important to a poverty people who have very little gas money to get to the store (even with the best prices).  History speaks of the lines people will stand in to buy food or get food through the government. 

Bible Studies

We have two Bible studies going on right now.  It was awesome to see four Lakota men studying the word of God at our Tuesday men’s study.  We talked about how the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts.  I talked to a man I looked up to when I was a young man.  He just now got out of prison!  He loves the Lord and we hope to train him with another job position.  He is in his fifties and would be a great mentor for young people.  Belva is developing a great Bible study for women who have questions about the faith.  At this point I would ask that you would give to our ministry!  We have many needs regarding change in Pine Ridge.  We have people worth investing within the Gospel Fellowship ministries.

 Children’s Home

As, you know, we hope to move out to a community called Slim Buttes, west of town.  Belva’s mother, Louella Brown Eyes, grew up there; Belva herself lived at this place that her grandparents called home.  It is a beautiful spot in the country where you can see for miles in every direction.  Located just 11 miles from Pine Ridge, we hope to open up our home to people, especially children, in need.  We envision a place with trail rides and horses, hikes through the hills, chores in the barn, and other miscellaneous activities one can do in the country that will instill hope and healing for those who come.  Near the “home” is a hill which is the temporary resting place of Belva’s dear mother, and our beloved Kayla Lou, whom the Lord called home at the tender age of seventeen.  It is because of our losses that we seek this heavenly gain!  We will not weep as those who have no hope.  We desire these hills and valleys to be alive with children’s laughter and praise to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Pray for this heart’s desire.  God is so good.  May His will be done.

The Plea

Our ministry is growing, and we would like to ask you to partner with us in helping us develop the future of Pine Ridge.  Your donations to our ministries are very critical for us since our church is not self-sufficient, and we mostly run off of volunteered time and energy from our staff at the present time.  Our hope is to keep in better communication with you than in the past so that you will know how to be praying for us and how we are doing.  We have a great office manager who loves the Lord.   She will be helping me to keep in contact with you as we build the church of Pine Ridge.

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Leon Matthews

& the Ministry Team & Believers of Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship

future location for Ata's Auto