Native American Forum Committee

The purpose of the Native American Forum Committee is to work on behalf of the Council to maintain a forum or common table to make visible and connect the Native American ministries of The United Methodist Church and their relationship with the general agencies. And to also provide an opportunity for "spiritual discernment, collegiality and cooperation" for Native American ministries in the new millenium.

Major program emphases within the United Methodist Church that are enhancing ministries among Native American communities.

Native American Comprehensive Plan

Ms. Ann A. Saunkeah
Executive Director
1220 E. 17th Place
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-741-3600

The United Methodist General Conference first adopted the Native American Comprehensive Plan in 1988. The plan provides programming in four areas:

•	Congregational development,
•	Leadership development,
•	Denominational presence, and
•	Native spirituality.

Native American United Methodist local church members and pastors participated in strategic planning and have created models for ministry. Activities in the past four years include such things as:

•	Providing seed money to establish new ministries and programs in local churches,
•	Training lay speakers,
•	Sponsoring conferences on topics important in Native American communities.

National United Methodist Native American Center

The Rev. Cynthia Abrams
Executive Director
1325 North College Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711-3199
909-626-3521, ext. 1284

Since its inception, the center has assisted Native American clergy, seminary students and laity to be in ministry with Native American local churches and to establish careers and/or leadership within the denomination.

The center sponsors Native American theological forums, clergy training, conferences for seminary students, youth leadership programs, emergency scholarship assistance, and technical assistance to prospective and current seminary students.

Native American International Caucus

The Rev. Alvin Deer
Executive Director
616 SW 70th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
405-634-2005

The Native American International Caucus is the advocacy arm representing Native Americans in The United Methodist Church. Its visionary leaders have created programs such as the Native American Comprehensive Plan, National United Methodist Native American Center and Southeast Jurisdiction Native American Ministry Agency.

The caucus is divided into regions by geography and population of Native American churches. There are five regions: Northeast, Southeast, South Central, Northwest and Southwest. Each region has as its members at least two representatives from each Native American local church in the region. These regions elect voting members to the national caucus.


Southeast Jurisdiction Agency for Native American Ministry

The Rev. Kenneth Locklear
Executive Director
P.O. Box 67
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

The Southeast Jurisdiction Agency for Native American Ministry was created to serve the needs and concerns of Native Americans in Southeast Jurisdiction, home to the largest Native American United Methodist Church in the country. The agency addresses the needs of Native Americans in the Southeast Jurisdiction through leadership-development conferences, spiritual gatherings, youth conventions, mission-outreach teams, and technical support and advocacy to each of the ministries within the jurisdiction.