November 3, 2026
Capturing Glimpses of God’s Glory: An Interview with Nature Photographer Kenneth Keifer
Landon Shuman
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Restoration Movement ministries, missions, colleges and organizations.
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Independent Christian ChurchDiamond Willow MinistriesDiamond Willow Ministries serves the Hunkpati Oyate in Fort Thompson through Christian discipleship, family support, youth…Independent Christian Church · Missions
Diamond Willow Ministries
Diamond Willow Ministries — Organization Profile Diamond Willow Ministries is a Christian nonprofit serving the Hunkpati Oyate, the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. The ministry’s mission is sharing the love of Jesus Christ by strengthening families, investing in…
Diamond Willow Ministries — Organization Profile Diamond Willow Ministries is a Christian nonprofit serving the Hunkpati Oyate, the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. The ministry’s mission is sharing the love of Jesus Christ by strengthening families, investing in youth, and working together to build a healthier community that thrives spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Its work combines Christian discipleship, family support, youth development, community care, and practical assistance. Diamond Willow Ministries is based in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. Its ministry serves the Hunkpati Oyate, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Fort Thompson, Big Bend District, Crow Creek District, and the surrounding region. Community members on the reservation formed Diamond Willow Ministries in 2001,…
Diamond Willow Ministries — Organization Profile
Diamond Willow Ministries is a Christian nonprofit serving the Hunkpati Oyate, the people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. The ministry’s mission is sharing the love of Jesus Christ by strengthening families, investing in youth, and working together to build a healthier community that thrives spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Its work combines Christian discipleship, family support, youth development, community care, and practical assistance.
Diamond Willow Ministries is based in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation. Its ministry serves the Hunkpati Oyate, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Fort Thompson, Big Bend District, Crow Creek District, and the surrounding region. Community members on the reservation formed Diamond Willow Ministries in 2001, and the organization has grown as a trusted local ministry rooted in long-term relationships.
The ministry operates through the Ikce Oyate Christian Center, a Christ-centered extended family within the tribe and beyond. The Christian Center focuses on spiritual growth, strengthening families, shared meals, support groups, worship, discipleship, Bible studies, community gatherings, food distribution, seasonal household assistance, and local partnerships. Its programs include Sunday worship and breakfast, men’s group, adult Bible study, sick visitation, wakes, funerals, memorials, baby dedications, family events, community cookouts, and seasonal activities.
Diamond Willow Ministries also operates Tokata Youth Center, founded in 2015 after community leaders asked the ministry to provide daily youth programming. Tokata Youth Center exists to help youth of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe overcome daily obstacles so they can become future leaders in their community. The center provides year-round after-school programming, homework help, reading time, crafts, life-skills and character training, physical activity, meals, Bible study, mentoring, service opportunities, gardening, food sovereignty learning, and cultural learning connected to Dakota Oyate values, culture, and language.
The ministry’s approach is holistic and relational. Its core values are integrity, compassion, connection, and growth. Diamond Willow Ministries emphasizes both Christian principles and local community identity, helping children, youth, adults, and families build healthy relationships, pursue stability, and experience hope in Christ. Tokata Youth Center also provides programming in outer districts, including Big Bend District and Crow Creek District.
People can engage with Diamond Willow Ministries by praying, giving financially, supporting Tokata Youth Center, donating through wish lists, receiving newsletters, volunteering, partnering with the ministry, or contacting the Fort Thompson team. Donations may be made online, and mail may be sent to the ministry’s post office box in Fort Thompson.
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Independent Christian ChurchArizona Reservation MinistriesArizona Reservation Ministries supports Apache Christians and families on the San Carlos Apache Reservation through discipleship,…Independent Christian Church · Missions
Arizona Reservation Ministries
Arizona Reservation Ministries — Organization Profile Arizona Reservation Ministries is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on coming alongside Apache Christians who are already serving the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Commonly known as ARM, the ministry explains its name through Exodus…
Arizona Reservation Ministries — Organization Profile Arizona Reservation Ministries is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on coming alongside Apache Christians who are already serving the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Commonly known as ARM, the ministry explains its name through Exodus 17, where Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ arms. ARM uses that image to describe its role: supporting Native brothers and sisters through prayer, practical service, discipleship, construction, benevolence, and encouragement. The ministry is based in Globe, Arizona, just off the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and serves the San Carlos Apache Nation in eastern Arizona. ARM was incorporated as an Arizona nonprofit in 2002 after years of missionary work among Native communities in Arizona. Its stated focus is not to…
Arizona Reservation Ministries — Organization Profile
Arizona Reservation Ministries is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on coming alongside Apache Christians who are already serving the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Commonly known as ARM, the ministry explains its name through Exodus 17, where Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ arms. ARM uses that image to describe its role: supporting Native brothers and sisters through prayer, practical service, discipleship, construction, benevolence, and encouragement.
The ministry is based in Globe, Arizona, just off the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and serves the San Carlos Apache Nation in eastern Arizona. ARM was incorporated as an Arizona nonprofit in 2002 after years of missionary work among Native communities in Arizona. Its stated focus is not to start a new church or school, but to help existing Apache Christians, churches, pastors, families, children, and community leaders as they serve their own people.
ARM’s work includes children’s and youth ministries, adult Bible studies, basketball mentoring, home building, home repair, benevolence, food and clothing distribution, backpack and Christmas stocking projects, and support for Apache pastors and their families. The ministry reports weekly involvement with children and teens through Bible lessons, relationship-building, and traveling basketball teams. It also provides Bible studies at the Tribe’s assisted living facility and Old Adult Center, along with mentoring and prayer support for adults and families.
A major part of ARM’s strategy is practical construction ministry. Since meeting with tribal leadership in 2007 about housing needs, ARM has built homes with the help of volunteers and recipient families, who contribute work hours as part of the process. The ministry also works on church buildings, home repairs, a safe house, and a parsonage for an Apache family involved in congregational leadership. ARM emphasizes that physical help should be offered in ways that honor Christ and preserve the dignity of Native brothers and sisters.
ARM also coordinates short-term ministry opportunities for churches, teams, and individuals. Visiting volunteers may help with construction, children’s ministry, Family Fun Days, prayer journeys, backpack distribution, seasonal projects, food and supply organization, and other needs identified by the ministry team. These trips are presented as cross-cultural service experiences where volunteers work with members of the San Carlos Apache Nation rather than simply doing projects for them.
People can engage with Arizona Reservation Ministries by praying, giving financially, donating supplies, joining a short-term ministry trip, supporting seasonal projects, sharing current needs, or helping sustain ARM team members. Financial support helps cover operations, Native staff support, construction projects, children’s ministry, basketball teams, benevolence, backpacks, Christmas stockings, food, blankets, furniture, and other practical needs connected to the ministry’s service on the reservation.
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Independent Christian ChurchAmerican Indian Christian MissionAmerican Indian Christian Mission serves Native communities in Arizona through a Christ-centered boarding school, family outreach,…Independent Christian Church · Missions
American Indian Christian Mission
American Indian Christian Mission — Organization Profile American Indian Christian Mission is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on evangelizing and equipping Native Americans for Christ. The ministry is often identified by the abbreviation AICM and describes its work through a…
American Indian Christian Mission — Organization Profile American Indian Christian Mission is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on evangelizing and equipping Native Americans for Christ. The ministry is often identified by the abbreviation AICM and describes its work through a three-fold focus: the AICM boarding school, outreach to families of students, and the Apache Christian Connection, also known as the Blue Bus ministry. Its stated purpose is to help Native Americans hear the gospel, grow in Christ, and be equipped for lasting influence in their communities. AICM is based in Show Low, Arizona, and its ministry focuses especially on the Navajo and White Mountain Apache people. The organization serves Native communities in the White Mountains of Arizona, including outreach connected…
American Indian Christian Mission — Organization Profile
American Indian Christian Mission is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on evangelizing and equipping Native Americans for Christ. The ministry is often identified by the abbreviation AICM and describes its work through a three-fold focus: the AICM boarding school, outreach to families of students, and the Apache Christian Connection, also known as the Blue Bus ministry. Its stated purpose is to help Native Americans hear the gospel, grow in Christ, and be equipped for lasting influence in their communities.
AICM is based in Show Low, Arizona, and its ministry focuses especially on the Navajo and White Mountain Apache people. The organization serves Native communities in the White Mountains of Arizona, including outreach connected with the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. AICM’s campus provides a residential school environment, while its outreach ministries extend beyond campus to families, churches, and reservation communities.
The American Indian Christian School began in 1985 and serves students through a Christ-centered boarding school model. AICM states that the school is designed to produce well-educated Christian leaders who can positively affect their communities and culture. Students live on the mission campus during the school week and return home on weekends. The school provides classes for students in third through ninth grade, along with housing, meals, transportation, chapel, Bible classes, and daily care from Christian staff and house parents.
AICM also operates family outreach that takes the gospel directly to the families of students. The ministry’s stated concern is that long-term change requires reaching the home, not only providing care while students are on campus. Through this work, staff and volunteers seek to build relationships with families, encourage students’ parents and relatives, and connect the school’s ministry with the broader life of Native communities.
Another major part of AICM’s work is the Apache Christian Connection, or Blue Bus ministry, which reaches children and families on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. AICM uses converted blue buses to visit locations on the reservation several days a week, year-round. Children are picked up for Bible stories, games, crafts, and relationship-building, and families are invited to connect with White Mountain Apache Christian Church or Cibecue Christian Church.
People can engage with American Indian Christian Mission by praying, giving, sponsoring a child, volunteering on campus, serving with a ministry team, applying for employment, or helping meet department needs. AICM offers short-term ministry team opportunities for groups who want cross-cultural ministry experience in the White Mountains of Arizona, and it also welcomes volunteers who can assist with students, campus projects, maintenance, and weekly reservation outreach.
