In early 2005, a group of six Aboriginal leaders and four non-Aboriginal leaders met to prayerfully consider a new level of ministry partnership designed to advance the work of the Kingdom among Ontario’s Aboriginal population. The participants in this group were not new to the culture, the context, or the concerns of the developing churches among the First Nations of Ontario. The discussions were built upon a foundation of respect and appreciation for what God had done through other ministries in the region. Within a few months, a unanimous decision was reached: That God would want to accomplish greater things through new beginnings—new wineskins.
That group continued to pray and to talk together. The sense of unity and common purpose grew with an exciting intensity. Through focused times of prayer and discussion, they appointed an initial board of directors, chose an appropriate name, and formulated the original vision and purpose statements. The new board took practical steps to incorporate the new organization and to register it as a charitable ministry in Canada.
In 2006, the board of directors appointed the first administrative team of Living Hope Native Ministries, and empowered that team to begin to work and plan. The new ministry began to function officially on September 1, 2006. During 2006 and 2007, numerous individuals and local churches began to build relationships with LHNM and to develop associations—both formally and informally.
More development is in process at this time. We try to view each opportunity and need as a new page in God’s story about this part of the world. Various ministries are becoming part of the network—either as partners in the ministry or as associates that share resources, ideas, and goals.