FAITH TRAILS and SANCTUARY

WHAT IS FAITH TRAILS?

            Some know FAITH TRAILS from the Swallows Day parade.  You saw Native American kids riding wild mustangs they have trained with the guidance of Youth Pastor, Chris Buller. This is one of the results of the Faith Trails mission, an organization which begins by using horses as a main ministry tool.  The first steps aim to reach Native American kids and later their families.

            The goal is to create a safe place for people to seek and find relationship with our loving and forgiving creator God.  They use horses, ranch life, outdoor experiences, and stewardship as the nucleus to gather around.

            They use two non-profits in partnership to achieve the goal.  The church is Sanctuary, the heart of the mission.   Faith Trails is the non-faith based, non-profit arm which allows them to work more smoothly in the world.  For example, the study hall program is run through Faith Trails so they can access district school busses and get federal assistance for meals.

            Future projects include more eldercare, childcare, meeting the needs of children and elders through projects such as gardens for food and flowers, classes for knowledge and faith, partner in parenting.

WHAT CAN WE DO???

            The FAITH TRAILS and SANCTUARY mission is located in Oregon, near Warm Springs Reservation.  We are invited and challenged to be part of this wonderful Mission right near the beginning.  We can be the San Juan leaders and gather our whole congregation and greater community.  We are all invited to come to visit, to work where possible.  We could have input current into projects such as

• training current crop of mustangs and other animal husbandry projects

• building fence and cutting juniper

• doing fish counting

• conduct VBS for preschool and daycare

• help develop eldercare program

• help design and construct buildings

• help develop and construct faith-based private school

• help develop worship and praise formats

Our Youth are planning their Mission trip there the end of June.  You are invited, too!

THE FUTURE

            To quote Chris Buller:  “Sanctuary is a place where we minister, as a community of faith, to understand the vision and purpose of God’s plan.  It is a safe place for people to gather, in a ranch and outdoor fellowship, to experience the love God gives us through Jesus Christ. We build partnerships with other like communities of faith that aid in bringing the good news to the world in a powerful way. We will partner with churches that host us in different communities.  Through the clinics and hosting relationships we can share the spiritual message from our community of faith that will aide other communities in their faith walks.  Sanctuary will not just receive aid from other communities; we will deliver back out into the world.”