From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This year's second annual Cherokee National Day of Prayer was held in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in April with James W. Goll, John Mark and Paula Rodgers, Clifton Pettit and Jay Swallow. This is an important report of the Cherokee National Day of Prayer as well as both a Biblical and prophetic teaching on God's creation and a brief history of the Cherokee nation.
Just as we must always remember and never forget the Jews who died in the holocaust, we must always remember and never forget the Cherokee and the other First Nations People of this country. We must never forget what was done to them on this very soil by our own countrymen, and we must remember and be reconciled to these precious gems in God's creation who are still awaiting their restoration.
James W. Goll, John Mark and Paula Rodgers, Clifton Pettit, Jay Swallow, and Mark Roye are several of those who have begun to take God's heart of restoration to the Host First Nations People of this country.
I believe the healing of the wounds of this land and nation relies largely in part with the restoration, restitution and reconciliation of the First Nations People?without it, we will never be a whole nation (please read more below). Our ancestors are long gone and not able to make right this deep wrong, so it is ours to do in cooperation with God in this time, and it is our great PRIVILEGE to do so for a people so dear to God's heart, the sheep He longs to gather in His arms and make whole again.
Please read the below report prayerfully and with an open heart, and let your heart be touched by God for the restoration of these great people.
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J. Mark Rodgers with James W. Goll:
"Healing the Land through the Cherokee National Day of Prayer"
As I was being driven to Tahlequah I felt the pleasure of God on us as we were to be with the Cherokee. Later, in my notes I wrote:
"I felt the pleasure of God on this outreach. I had not felt this realm for a while. I knew that we were doing What Jesus Would Do! It was held on site on Moravian grounds where a children's home had been built. I had my Herrnhut key with me (the Moravians launched out of the city of Herrnhut), so that made it all the more special.
"I also briefly talked with Clifton Pettit, pastor and apostle of the Cherokee, and we agreed that this would be an annual event on the last weekend of April each year. So that is awesome. We can now plan ahead for this.
"My sense is that there is another tribe or First Nation's group that we are to reach out to. I am not sure who it is yet. But the Lord will show us.
"There could be a full-time ministry for many people just 'being kind' to our Host First Nations People."
This event, The National Day of Prayer for the Cherokee Nation, in 2008, was Michal Ann's last outreach in her earthly body. She struggled to find the strength at times and yet would not have missed it! The site of the prayer time this year was different and we had some challenges with the change. But God was up to something. I want to take an excerpt from John Mark Rodgers' article (below) and insert it here to show how Jehovah-sneaky showed up:
"After the meeting that night, a leadership meeting was held back at the hotel. Karen, a Native intercessor, shared a word about the Cherokee picking up the Moravian lampstand. I asked Clifton, 'What Moravian lampstand?' We did not know that we had just been on the historic site of the Moravian Mission to the Cherokee. I explained the extreme connection with James Goll and the Moravian lampstand through the PrayerStorm effort just as James walked into the hotel. We explained to him that the event being held was on the Moravian mission site. James was astounded. He just happened to have the key to the city of Herrnhut where the Moravians had launched out. This was going to be fun!"
It was a GREAT time with God discovering some of the hidden treasures that He holds near and dear to His heart. I loved my time here and look forward to this event each and every year. In addition to the prayer sessions, Mark Roye and the Blood and Fire "holy smokers" drove up from Texas to cook barbeque for all those in attendance. Mark and the team were up and cooking at 5:00am. Wow, what a heart for people. We also distributed 51,000 meals of packaged rice to the Marble City food pantry and the Two Rivers Native American food pantry. Encounters Network then donated 250 copies of my books The Lost Art of Intercession and Angelic Encounters. These books we hope will open doors to many.
Thanks for your friendship, prayers and ongoing support of the ministry of Encounters Network, Compassion Acts and PrayerStorm. Remember, together in Jesus, we make a great team!
In Christ Jesus our Lord!
James W. Goll
Encounters Network
Healing the Land through the Cherokee National Day of Prayer:
Setting the Record Straight
By John Mark Rodgers
The below are excerpts from the article "Healing the Land through the Cherokee National Day of Prayer" by J. Mark Rodgers.
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First, let me spend a few minutes casting a vision from Scripture as to the Biblical background we should walk in with regard to native culture. Many a Scripture taken out of context begs a metaphorical interpretation. However, by examining the body of Scripture without a lens of cultural interpretation can reveal much of God's intent. Go a step further in looking at the original Greek and Hebrew text, and things get very interesting.
In Joshua chapter 24, verses 25 through 27, we see a glimpse of something intriguing. On this day Joshua erects a stone under a tree to "listen" to what God is saying to Israel. "See!" (referring to the stone), "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God." This Scripture taken literally suggests that the stone has a sort of collective memory of what happens around it. Somewhere in the Middle East is a stone, perhaps forgotten, that bears witness of a promise that was made. A covenant between God, His created order and His chosen people. Interesting to ponder, isn't it?
Let's take this a step further: In Psalms chapter 96, verse 13, we read: "He comes to judge the earth (dirt), He will judge the world (kosmos, created order) in righteousness and the peoples in His truth." The word judge in the original text is more closely associated with the word "examine." We see the threefold examination of God upon the Lord's return repeated in Psalm chapter 98, verse 9. These Scriptures suggest that when God examines the history of mankind, He starts with the creation in a holistic fashion. It further suggests that the creation's record of our dominion and stewardship awaits His examination. He will not only judge people but the condition of creation itself.
All of Creation Groans
The whole of creation groans in Romans chapter 8, verses 20-25:
"For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now."
This offers further understanding to Scriptures like Psalm chapter 98, verses 7-9: "Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy, let them sing (collectively) before the LORD." Job chapter 12, verses 7-10, tells us, "Ask the beasts and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth (dirt), and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know (spiritual understanding) that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?"
Second Chronicles chapter 7, verses 13-14, states: "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land (dirt)." We have read all sorts of metaphorical meanings into this Scripture, but the literal interpretation of this verse means He will heal their land (dirt).
Isaiah chapter 62, verse 4, states:
"It will no longer be said to you, 'Forsaken,' nor to your land (dirt) will it any longer be said, 'Desolate'; but you will be called, 'My delight is in her,' and your land (dirt), 'Married'; for the LORD delights in you, and to Him your land (dirt) will be married."
Ezekiel chapter 9, verses 9-11, shows us what happens as a result of the land's bad witness.
"Then He said to me, 'The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, "The LORD has forsaken the land (dirt), and the LORD does not see!"'"
John chapter 3, verse 16, states: "For God so loved the world (kosmos?land, water, creation, and mankind) that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall...have eternal life." This Scripture examined in light of Scripture suggests that perhaps we have seen our salvation from a self-serving standpoint. We are saved to restore His Kingdom within His created order (all of it!).
Habakkuk chapter 2, verse 14, reads, "For the earth (surface of the earth, especially the cultivated land) will be filled with the knowledge (knowing with familiarity gained thru experience) of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
Animals have played pivotal roles at critical times in Scripture. This includes the following supernatural occurrences: Oxen delivering the ark back to Beth Shemesh (1 Samuel 6:10), Frogs in Egypt (Exodus 8:5-6), Gnats in Egypt (Exodus 8:16-18), Whales swallowed Johan (Jonah 1:17), Bears avenge Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-24), Donkey spoke with Balaam (Numbers 22:22-35), Ravens feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6), Fish obey Jesus in gathering in Peter's nets (Luke 5:1-11) and a Fish pays taxes (Matthew 17:27).
This gives a new perspective on the great commission. Mark chapter 16, verse 15, states:
"Go into all the world (kosmos?total of all the created order) and preach (kerusso?to proclaim and to be heard) the Gospel (Euaggelion?good news of the Kingdom of God and salvation through Christ) to all creation (ktisis?a founding of a city, colonization of a habitable place and the total of all God created)."
There are many, many other Scriptures in support of this view of creation from a spiritual platform. You can perform your own study. Read all of this yourself. The native people have for thousands of years understood this spiritual dynamic. Unfortunately, we use a litmus test of roman dominated religion to determine "what is God and what is not." We have stripped away their culture, language, dress, music, sports, and spiritual understanding, imposing our slant on most every facet of life. This has got to change.
Setting the Record Straight
Second Samuel chapter 21, verses 1-11, tells of a drought that came upon Israel during the reign of David. After three years, God told David that the drought was the result of Saul breaking the covenant with the Gibeonites. Saul was humbled before them and asked to pay restitution with seven of the offspring of Saul. They wanted neither gold nor silver, but the drought was broken by the sacrifice of the sons of Saul. We (those of us representing the United States) have not broken one covenant with the native people; we have broken 387 treaties covering some 750 land cessions. Chief Dragging Canoe stated during negotiations of the Transylvania Treaty that the land "will be a dark and bloody land to inhabit."
We killed millions with our diseases and guns in a form of genocide that makes Hitler and his final solution pale in comparison. This is not an emotional exaggeration. This is a historic fact. Our land is indeed dark and bloody. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights were only as deep as the color on one's skin... My goodness, what will the land say to God about all this? What has the land recorded? What is the witness it has against us? Whose innocent blood cries out from under the throne of God (see Genesis 4:11, Revelation 6:9-11)? What will His examination of the heavens, earth and people reveal?
But with God there is always a way out. He never leaves us condemned and forgotten. There is always an "If only..." in Scripture: "If My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray...I will heal their land." We have a choice to make. The Cherokee National Day of Prayer is our "if only moment."
When the federal government established the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, they preserved one of the nation's remaining large tracts of primeval forest (untouched wilderness). Today, within the park's boundaries lie some 104,092 acres of land untouched by the hand of man since God created the earth. Conversely, this land is untouched since the Cherokee were removed in the fall and winter of 1837 and 1838.
If Creation bears witness to the activities of the people stewarding the land, then there is a deep well in the land of the Cherokee. We westerners tend to view America from the lens of "1776." If Scripture is to be believed, it suggests that the collective history we call America is but a fleeting moment in this land's heritage.
For thousands of years, the native people lived, loved, and died a life pristine and relatively clean. The Cherokee nation controlled over 140,000 square miles. Some settlements date back to 8000 B.C. The five southern tribes that inhabited the land were monotheistic in nature. They believed in one God, the creator God. They did not worship celestial objects or any other created object. They did not make idols or images in which they attributed spiritual significance. They held sacredness for fire, and each fall in a tribal ceremony, removed all fire from each home and swept its ashes from their home. This ceremony was concluded during cycles of the moon. In James Adair's book published in London in 1775, he recorded his firsthand reports of the Cherokee ceremonies.
"...thus finish the great song, or most solemn invocation of the divine essence, the notes together compose their sacred mysterious name, Y-O-He-Wah."
During the summer of 1837, the United States military began the forced removal of all Indian nations east of the Mississippi River. They were marched to holding facilities that became death camps. Removal was planned to occur by boat, but a drought in the Tennessee River Valley turned the plans into chaos. The internment camps had no shelter, the surrounding county did not have the means to provide food, the Indians were allowed to immigrate with only the clothing on their backs and there were no provisions for sanitary facilities. Sickness and disease swept through the camp. The young and old were the first to die. More Native Americans died in the internment camps than on the trail of tears.
By the fall, Chief John Ross petitioned the government to allow themselves to move westward on their own accord. The winter of 1837-1838 is particularly harsh. The Cherokee had been taken to the internment camps in their summer clothing. When winter struck they were in their shirt sleeves. The routes westward are littered with unmarked graves.
Once westward it was discovered that the land the government had granted them belonged to another tribal group indigenous to the Oklahoma area. Some diehard Cherokee were successful in hiding in the vast wilderness area east of what is now the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
In 1925 the lands for the Qualla Reservation established lands for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee nation. Today there are approximately 12,000 descendants of those who stayed. While those who went west became known as the Western Band of the Cherokee nation headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. There have been several reconciliation events held over the last few years, but the tribe is quietly divided over the removal issue.
Of the 387 treaties or covenants made with the citizenship or governments of the colonies, England or the United States, none were kept. Only two covenants were kept. Both of these covenants were with the Church. First was the Brainerd covenant located in what is now Chattanooga, Tennessee. The second was a relational promise made with the Moravian mission located in Spring Place, Georgia. Both of these missions kept their word and removed themselves westward along with their Native American family. The remnants of both of these missions can be found today. It was on the grounds of the Moravian mission in Oaks, Oklahoma, that the 2009 Cherokee National Day of Prayer was held. Little did we know of the events that were to take place.
The land of the Cherokee that now has become the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Even though 70% of the land was heavily forested at the turn of the 19th century, the land has recovered well.
If Scripture is to be believed, this land awaits the return of its native gatekeepers. Jesus often went into the wilderness to pray. If that be the case, Jesus would find a wonderful sanctuary among the lands of the Cherokee. "For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now."
Cherokee National Day of Prayer 2009:
A New Wind Blows
I had a dream back in March. In the dream I was on a platform that was part of the National Day of Prayer. In the dream the leadership was "going through the motions." The event had become a religious habit with no unction from above. God does not breathe on habits. I prayed that nothing we (Encounters Network) participated in would be out of habit. This dream gave us all the opportunity to wash our hands and check our hearts. "Who can ascend the hill of the Lord, but those who have clean hands and a pure heart?"
Clifton Pettit, a full-blood Cherokee pastor was our Apostle to the nation. Clifton has a ministry in Marble City, Oklahoma. Last year we had the honor of escorting Michal Ann Goll to Marble City on what was her last earthly assignment. Her earthly body was ravaged by cancer, but her spirit was soaring. She stayed the course. She finished the race well.
Friday evening we followed Clifton to the site of the event. There was a building that pulled at me for some reason. I told Clifton this was a good place to meet. There was a good history that the land was communicating. Please refer to the beginning of this article for the Scriptural understanding of this statement. Apostle Jay Swallow spoke that evening. Even though he had lost his sister a few days earlier, Jay came anyway. Brother Jay has planted over 300 churches in Native America. If ever there was one who fit the Biblical model of apostle, Jay Swallow is the one. Jay is of the Cheyenne tribe. He is a surviving descendant of the Sand Creek Massacre.
It seems the older Brother Jay gets, the more anointed his message. He admonished the Cherokee to not lose their salt. He went through a history of the salt covenant in the Old Testament. His voice resonated with the authority of the Word of God. He ended by asking five individuals to come forward and pray specific issues over the tribe. My role was to pray for the marketplace anointing. We put a finger on the spirit of poverty. This spirit keeps us from believing for the miraculous.
We also prayed for big dreams. Our prayers moved people's expectations beyond substance living toward vocational blessing. Many folks want wealth without the wisdom or ability to "make" money. That isn't any fun!
Afterwards, a leadership meeting was held back at the hotel. Karen, a Native intercessor, shared a word about the Cherokee picking up the Moravian lampstand. I asked Clifton, "What Moravian lampstand?" We did not know that we had just been on the historic site of the Moravian Mission to the Cherokee. I explained the extreme connection with James Goll and the Moravian lampstand through the PrayerStorm effort just as James walked into the hotel. We explained to James that the event being held was on the Moravian mission site. James was astounded. He just happened to have the key to the city of Herrnhut where the Moravians had launched out. This was going to be fun!
Saturday morning I spoke first at Clifton's request. He had asked for me to go over the history of the Cherokee, much of what was covered earlier in this article. I chose to speak in full regalia; Native American clothing is a bit of a controversy among some, but I am not afraid of culture. (Besides that, my great great grandmother was named "Gu-le." This means acorn in Cherokee.)
Several years ago we were given a judge's gavel made from the wood of a sycamore tree near what was Fort Watauga in East Tennessee. This sycamore tree was the site of the first independent seat of government in America. It pre-dates the Declaration of Independence by four years. It is said that the independence movement spread to the colonies from Watauga. If Scripture is to be believed, then that tree heard the covenants of this first government in America. This tree bore witness to these covenants being made and broken.
As a person with relatives in this settlement, I asked for the courts of Heaven to convene. I confessed there was no defense; there had been duplicity, fraud, and negligence with regard to the Cherokee. Ada Winn was given the gavel as a protocol gift. She was a relative of Nancy Ward, the last princess of the Cherokee nation. Ada carries a mantle for intercession among the Cherokee. We both declared that Justice would come to the Cherokee. She apostolically offered forgiveness and absolved the offence in Heaven. The presence of God was thick in the room.
I introduced James next. James released a blessing on the Cherokee nation. He then took the key to Herrnhut to apostolically come into alignment to Karen's prophecy regarding the Moravian lampstand.
James also released a vision that Michal Ann had carried for a Native American children's home development. James will be submitting a grant proposal within the month for funding. What a joy to be on the Moravian mission site which encompassed a children's home in its earliest history. We prayed over the land for the new vision to come forth. Who but God could have worked all that out! After the meeting, a couple who have adopted many children insisted on giving the firstfruits offering for this work. Wow, there is money in the bank for this vision to become real. This seed money is now a tangible reality of this wonderful project among the nations.
James ministered Sunday at New Life Church in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and then made a quick trip to the NW Arkansas airport and flew home. We found out Monday that Cherokee Chief Chad Smith was present in the Sunday service in which James released many words of destiny among the Cherokee. James did not know the Chief was present.
I just want to say thank you to all of you. Compassion Acts and Encounters Network and Prayer Storm?together we were doing this week what we were made for. Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Thank you for caring and making a difference.
Mark the last weekend of April next year for the 2010 installment of the Cherokee National Day of Prayer. It remains one of those "if only moments" for us to seek the face of God.
J. Mark Rodgers
Spirit of Caleb Ministry
Email: jmarkrodgers@charter.net
About J. Mark Rodgers: J. Mark Rodgers is a native born resident of Cookeville, Tennessee, where his family now resides. The Rodgers family has lived in the Cookeville area for seven generations. His ancestors were some of the first white settlers to homestead the region known as Putnam/Overton County. Mark received a call from the Lord to pursue a career in Architecture. Since that time He has focused his business talents toward marketplace ministries. He is president of Harvest Group, PLLC. He attended the University of Tennessee School of Architecture where he graduated with honors. He was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi service medal as well as the Chancellors Citation for extraordinary professional promise. Mark has been in private practice in Cookeville for the past 18 years.
Mark has completed a Doctorate degree in Practical Ministry with the Wagner Institute in Colorado. He and Paula have also been ordained as ministers through Encounters Network. They co-founded Spirit of Caleb Ministry in 2002. Mark is director of Heartland Tennessee. Heartland Tennessee has at its focus on the healing of the land. The Rodgers' are active members of New Covenant Church in Cookeville, Tennessee, where Mark is an elder.
June 26?July 2, 2009
Revival in the Rockies
RAIN Family Bible Camp
James W. Goll, Robert Cornwall, Jim & Ramona Rickard, Mickey & Barbara Robinson and others
Glacier Bible Camp
Hungry Horse, MT
Contact: 763-566-7411
July 16?18, 2009
Kingdom Secrets Revealed Conference
hosted by Identity Network
James W. Goll, Jeremy Lopez, and Richard Hanson
Inverness Vineyard Church
4733 Valleydale Road; Birmingham, AL
Contact: customerservice@identitynetwork.net
July 29?August 1, 2009
Women on the Frontlines Conference ? Empowering Champions of Compassion
hosted by Encounters Network
Heidi Baker, Patricia King, Sharon Stone, Shara Pradhan, James W. Goll, Chris DuPr?, Jeff & Suzanne Whatley, and others
Grace Center
2420 Bethlehem Loop Rd; Franklin, TN
Contact: 877-200-1604
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Jonathan Maracle |
Broken Walls is led by Jonathan Maracle, a Mohawk from Tyendinaga Territory in Ontario, Canada. Jonathan is a 6 Time CAMA (Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards) winner and won in 2007, the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award for Best Instrumental Album. He has also played for the Queen and at the Opening of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Broken Walls' ministry motto is "Breaking Walls Of Separation." They desire to break walls of division through worship and to demonstrate a message that restores dignity and brings healing to the broken hearted. Through reconciliation, they want to see people of every tribe, tongue and nation be lifted up to their place in the Body of Christ, for the healing and empowerment of the whole Body of Christ.
Beautiful Great One declares the beauty of our Creator and the gifts He has given us. Several different native languages with English translations are used in this album to make it a truly unique worship experience.
Track Listing:
.... (more)
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