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RENDEZVOUS

Pathwalkers--The Way to Jesus

by Jim Hunter, Pathwalkers director, and pastor of Hot Springs Bible Church

The Pathwalkers ministry on the Coeur d’Alene reservation was awesome. 115 kids showed up and 30 or more made professions of faith. The host church and the tribal community were amazed at the effect on the kids. The host church was so impressed with what God did, that they want to try to invite youth groups and leaders from other area Village Mission churches to get together for a weekend of Pathwalkers training. They want to duplicate this kind of outreach to Native communities in their areas. Praise the Lord!

This is a long stretch for tiny Hot Springs Bible Church and its 38 x 45 foot building where our 40-60 members have worshipped for decades. However, in the last 12 years something in the Hot Springs mission field has changed. It’s called Pathwalkers. Throughout the year this little church in a town of 500 teaches the Bible to a majority of the children in the area through Pathwalkers Ministries.

In addition, the Pathwalkers are multiplying their outreach by conducting evangelistic road camps on other reservations and Pathwalkers training camps for other churches and missions. Overall, this little "shoe-string" ministry has been used of God to further the gospel message and to bring Jesus to hundreds of souls each year.

However, we lack an important tool we are trusting God to provide. During the fall and winter months, our little church building is too small to run any kind of club activities. Our only open floor space is a small area of basement floor measuring about 12 x 24 feet; 30-40 children just won’t fit! We are convinced that with a room to meet in and an area for play and activities, we would be able to double our outreach to both children and teens. The Pathwalkers ministry thrives on simplicity and low cost methods of discipleship, but rain and snow are elements we must contend with throughout the school year.

Therefore, this little congregation has set out to seek God and sacrifice to see a 40x60 foot multipurpose room added to their present building. After two years of giving we have saved over $30,000 and hope to be about half way to our construction needs. Please pray that God will give us this building. It is not for a fancy sanctuary; that’s not what we need. It is not for some banquet hall for entertainment; that’s not what the church needs. It is for a roof over the heads of boys and girls so they can come in out of the snow to meet Jesus; that’s what the church needs!

A Sunday School class of senior ladies in Chicago has been picking up and saving cans for this project. They have just cashed in $78 worth of empty cans! The way God multiplies, just a few more groups of committed friends like these, and we can start swinging hammers! Would you like to help? Would you like to be involved? What other opportunity offers these smiles and eternal rewards?