Equipping and Developing Local Churches that Matter

Our Mission

To encourage and develop local churches that matter in our world.
 

Our Vision

That in every First Nations context the local church would reach its full potential—worshiping in full devotion, attracting the seekers, mobilizing believers, restoring families, changing communities, affecting the world.

Kingdom Builders Conference

Info and Registration

A Brief Introduction to LHNM

Latest News

A Community that Cares

By Andrew Lang

Recently, I was in a car accident and what struck me (days after the mishap) was how quickly my church family was there to check in on me and to help our family with our needs.  We didn’t have to advertise it or ask for help; it was just there.  I was so moved by how caring and generous the people in my community were to my family.  I had more phone calls checking in on me than from my direct family, which is not a dig on my family; it’s just a sign of how invested the church community is.

There’s a saying that “people don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”

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Discipleship Direction

By Jeff and Mary Kirkpatrick

It’s hard to say when it started, but discipleship has been a growing desire for our family. When our home church in Pennsylvania announced that the topic for their annual conference this year would be “Making Disciples Who Make Disciples,” we decided to extend a family visit so we could attend. It wasn’t just good teaching for us, it was professional development!

True disciples make disciples. We want to do more than just keep youth off the streets or start a Bible Study (as much as we are crazy Bible nerds and LOVE that). We want to follow Jesus and bring other people along to follow him too – to be people who also bring others on the lifetime journey of following Jesus. It’s about the life we live, not about more knowledge or the “sinner’s prayer” we prayed one time…or over and over again.

The conference speaker was Galen Burkholder from Global Disciples. Their organization makes disciples in difficult situations around the world, but they claim it’s a simple process….

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Go, Make Disciples

By Andrew Lang

Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus has very explicit instructions for us here; he commands us to go, a call that isn’t tied to spiritual gifting or skills. This is a universal command for all of us who believe. We must all be active in spreading God’s word. It doesn’t mean we have to go far, but we do need to be an active agent in bringing the word of truth to those in the world.

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An
Invitation

It is a God-ordained privilege to work in partnerships that include both Canada’s First Peoples and those of other ethnic heritages. The history of European efforts to relate to these people groups is not entirely flattering – it is in some aspects shameful. Now, in our time, it seems imperative that peer relationships built upon trust and respect help to express what the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means.

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Our Staff

We serve First Nations communities throughout Ontario in both urban and remote areas.

Kevin and Norma Moore

Sudbury

Stuart and Delores Swartzentruber

Thunder Bay

Andrew and Kristin Lang
Kalia, Samantha, Johnathan, Amelia

Thunder Bay

Colleen Estes

Pikangikum

Wendell and Lila Graber

Sault Ste. Marie

Jeff and Mary Kirkpatrick
Stephen, CJ, Isaac

Thunder Bay

Jamie and Rhonda Thornton

Parry Sound

Arthur and Iris Lyndaker
Evan, Olivia

Red Lake

Beverly and Sebai Yaman
Boaz, Zaccai, Galilee

Thunder Bay

Merle and Rita Nisly

Red Lake

Our Associates

Associates are affiliated with Living Hope Native Ministries but are supported through other ministries or self supported.

Stan and Sally Bragg

Saugeen

Rob and Sharlene Dilts
Jonathan

Golden Lake

Rob and Joy Weaver
Abbey, Sam, Jude, Micah

Morson

Ken and Sondra Funk

Nipigon/Thunder Bay

LaMar and Janice Weaver

Red Lake

Our Board of Directors

Clarence Meekis

Clarence has a lifelong connection with the ministry agencies that have been active in northwestern Ontario. He currently works as an infrastructure specialist with Ontario First Nations Technical Services, in Thunder Bay, ON. He is an elder in the local church, New Hope Fellowship. He is married to Karyn, and is the father of three children.

David Traintinger

David and Wendy live in Nipigon, ON, where David works as a water treatment specialist for the city. They are the parents of three children, and several grandchildren. They are actively involved in the local church.

Eric Sinclair

Eric has served on the board for the past three years. He works as a Family Well-being Worker in Kenora, ON. He is married to Michelle, and is the father of two children. Eric and Michelle are actively involved in Kenora Bible Church.

Anthony Shapwaykeesic

Anthony and Roberta have 8 children and 21 grandchildren. They split their time between Thunder Bay and Whitesand First Nation near Armstrong. Anthony has worked in many contexts, currently as Family Advocate for Namaygoosisagagun First Nation. He loves fishing, hunting, berry picking, anything outdoors.

Matthew Funk

Matt grew up in Red Lake and Thunder Bay. He is now living in PA with his wife and 4 daughters, one of whom is now married. Matt served as an associate pastor for 11 years at Buffalo Community Church and is now working full-time as an insurance agent.
(United States Board)

Eldo Miller

Eldo Miller has a lifelong connection to Northwestern Ontario and to the missions agencies there. He works as a travel agent with Golden Rule Travel in Hutchinson, Kansas. He and his wife, Dorcas, are active in their local church. They have seven children.
(United States Board)

Sheldon Swartzentruber

Sheldon and Sylvia Swartzentruber live in Greenwood, DE. Sheldon serves on the USA board of LHNM. They have a long relationship with ministries in northwestern Ontario, and are also very active in church and local ministries in their home area.
(United States Board)