Cornerstone Ministries was formed to strengthen the Christian Church on the largest reservation in the United States: the Navajo Nation. Outreach targets children who need positive role models to help overcome hopelessness, the effects of poverty and addictions, and the elderly who live without necessary resources.

Join us at this year's GMC to hear Cornerstone Ministries founder, Pete Belon, speak about the Navajo Nation mission.

Reflections

An interview with 2011 Navajo Nation Mission participant: Allison Kellum

When did you go?

July 3-10, 2011

What did you do?

We planned, coordinated and facilitated Vacation Bible School for 3 days with children from the neighborhood surrounding Cornerstone Ministries, building relationships with them and telling them about Jesus. We also held an Adult Ministry time during the VBS hours, for parents, grandparents, and other adults. We helped renovate one side of the duplex-housing building, removing old carpet, glue and staples from the living-room area and bedroom, as well as cutting through premarked areas of the ceiling so that the pipes could be insulated against freezing during the cold weather. We had a cultural side-trip to the Navajo Nation seat of government in Arizona where we also visited the Navajo History Museum.

What prompted you to want to participate?

My daughter, Hope (age 11), wanted us to go as a family to do ministry there. My husband was not able to go, but sent us with his blessings.

How did you prepare?

We read up on Navajo history, had several training/organizational/encouragement meetings with our team at Marsha Mullett's house prior to going on the trip.

What is your favorite memory from the trip?

I enjoyed seeing Hope learn new skills, as well as warm up to the Navajo children. It was fun to learn to do work that I never imagined myself doing. 
I wish we could have reached even more children for VBS.

What did God teach you on this mission trip?

God taught me not to fret about my comfort zone, as this trip was not something I was planning to do. Of course, I am still learning this lesson, but the trip was very helpful in putting faith in God and knowing He will see me through, from raising the money we needed to be able to go, to driving the van through the neighborhood to pick up children for VBS, to doing new physical things in the renovations.