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From Aug 17-20 and Aug 24-27 we had guest ministers at The Celebration of Life Meetings in Oglala at the Re-Creation and Worship Center. During the first week of meetings with Evangelist Mark Anderson we saw the Lord perform instant miracles of healings in peoples bodies, and 3 accepted Christ as Savior. We also had teaching sessions from Mark on miracles and healings. During the second week we had our Native American ministers, Don Munro (Cree) from Canada; and Pastor's Lockley (Blackfeet) and Traci Bremner (Assiniboine Sioux) and a team from Montana. Don Munro brought a staff from Canada that was made by another Native Christian friend. That staff was presented to our friend Chief Oliver Red Cloud on Friday night by Don. Our Native friends were leading us in an honoring service for the Chief. I have been close to Chief Red Cloud for several years and he was filled with joy to see these Native Christians worshipping Jesus and showing him respect. He remarked to me after receiving the gifts that he wanted to give the staff to " The Church" We allowed him to speak again and he gave the staff back to us at the Oglala Re-Creation and Worship Center. We knew this had great spiritual significance, a shifting of authority. We gracefully accepted this for "All of the Church and Body of Christ"
Staff given by Red Cloud "Honoring Red Cloud"
On Saturday night August 26th, 2006 Chief Red Cloud came forward during the altar call to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He prayed the sinner's prayer openly and made a public confession. My friend Lockley Bremner was preaching a powerful Spirit-Filled message from God's Word about repentance, the blood and how to really know God. As Red Cloud was being rolled to the front in his wheel chair, many of us were overwhelmed with tears and joy. There have been many people that God the Father has used in bringing this man to Christ. This has incredible spiritual significance. After he came to the altar 6 others followed to receive Christ! Pictured below is the born again Chief! He made these remarks that night, " I will always remember this night, it brings tears to my eyes, I feel good!"
Red Cloud and Cody August 26th was my dad's birthday, he went home to be with the Lord in 1999 at the very hour I was visiting Wounded Knee on July 20th 1999. I knew this was another sign from God! Red Cloud was born again on my dad's birthday! Chief Red Cloud was recently honored by several other tribes that are gathering to support issues of retaining land and water rights, sovereignty and their sacred land. This has all been taking place at Bear Butte in South Dakota. They appointed Red Cloud as the head Chief over these tribes that gathered. Again, I see God's hand at work preparing for His will and purpose to be accomplished.
"The symbolic meaning of the staff" The Native Christian who made the staff prayed and asked God's guidance on making it. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was imparted to gifted artisan's to build the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, Exodus 35:30-35. This staff touched Red Cloud's heart. The two red bands: Represent the past and present chiefs and their ancestors.
The two bands with two eagle feathers: Represents where the forks of the North and South Platte Rivers join, near where the great Chief was born in 1822. The antlers: Represents the connection to nature and is facing down to honor the Creator. Top burnt part: Symbolizes trials and persecutions, outside is burnt, but inside is strong symbolizes the spirit of the people. The staff itself: It's made of lodgepole, symbolizes people of strength and integrity. The third feather: Was given by my friend Stanley Good Voice Elk, his testimony is powerful. He gave his heart to Christ a few years ago, he lives in Oglala. The writing on the staff is in the Lakota language. The interpretation is: One Father, One God, before one thousand yesterdays to forever.
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