SAINTS
Southeastern
American Indian
New Testament Societies
We believe that we believe our drums, music styles, dance and art forms do NOT have any less value in the Kingdom than do English hymns, German organs, Welsh choruses, Spanish guitars, Irish ballads, Italian frescoes, Italian pianos, Jewish tambourines, Roman architecture, Grecian Stained Glass, Norwegian clogging, and French ballets!
We are a group of folks descended from the nations (aka tribes) of the southeast who follow the teachings of the one known as Jesus -- but we worship and fellowship and nurture one another in culturally relevant and meaningful ways.
You can meet up with us on facebook.
We are the Southeastern American Indian New Testament Societies.
We call our gatherings societies, because we know the importance of the fellowship of believers in community with one another.
American Indian because we are descendants from the original inhabitants of this land.
New Testament because we follow the teachings of Creator's son, also known as Jesus.
Southeastern because we are comprised mainly of those nations that came from what is now known as the southeastern portion of the United States.
Southeastern Nations included the well known Cherokee, but also many other tribes such as:
Yuchi
Muscogee (aka Creek)
Catawba
Chickasaw
Shawnee
Seminole
Chickasaw
Lumbee
and others- (list is too long for here)
what we believe...
briefly...
“In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things love.”
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Our Vision:
To pursue a life of peace and wholeness, inviting others in our journey to walk in meaningful relationship with Creator, community, other ethnic groups, and creation - in the Spirit of Jesus.
Our Aspirations:
To assist Southeastern American Indian descended peoples to live in a good way with their Creator, family and others that results in wholeness and health in every sphere of human activity.
To network with Southeastern American Indian and non-Southeastern American Indian leaders and organizations to develop respectful approaches to living out a biblical faith that honors and incorporates the cultural expressions of Southeastern American Indian peoples.
To see Southeastern American Indian traditions and worldview values embraced as a vital influence in shaping Christendom and other religious traditions of those working in our Southeastern American Indian communities. To revisit these cultural expressions and interpret them using the "keys to the kingdom" and missiological model of D. Richardson, Adoniram Judson, Sadhu Sundar Singh and many others who discovered how Eternity has been placed in the hearts of all peoople.
To serve out side our Southeastern American Indian Communities as a bridge builder and consulting resource for developing genuine community, unity, consciousness of social justice, creation stewardship and mutuality among diverse peoples.
Our Intentions:
To develop Southeastern American Indian educational models, materials, national seminars and learning centers to provide Southeastern American Indian people with a biblically informed, yet thoroughly Southeastern American Indian worldview framework; ultimately this will empower people and communities to rise above neo-colonial oppression, internally and externally, to raise up future generations of strong healthy leaders.
To organize and lead Southeastern American Indian Dance and Performing Arts Team(s), to share the beauty of our cultures, tribal/national and personal stories to build bridges of peace and understanding in the global community.
To encourage, promote, and facilitate the producing of Creator-honoring music, the promotion of the faithful practice of Southeastern American Indian traditional ceremonies that strengthens people, families and communities and emphasize the need for spiritual faithfulness to our Creator and Father Above as Life-giver and Waymaker.
Our Spiritual Values:
We believe that Creator exists within the context of community; God-the-Father, God-the-the Son, and God-the-Holy Spirit. God is Author, Creator, and Sustainer of all human and non-human creation.
We believe the Biblical story is God's self-revelation to humankind and that it is for all peoples and all languages everywhere as the sacred writings of Creator.
We believe that humankind was created in the image of God, but because of pride and rebellion, rejected the Creator’s path of beauty, wandering in darkness and alienation from God. Jesus performed the "once and for all ceremony" through His death on a cross, and resurrection from the dead. By this He defeated the power of death and made a way for all tribes and nations to return to a loving relationship within the community of Heaven.
We believe in one God-
We Believe that God is a Trinity being- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
We believe that man and this world was created GOOD- but that both the world and man have fallen. We believe that humans are born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually. Therefore it is necessary that we be transformed.
We believe that those who reject the offering of God are allowed to do so and that their decision is respected and that the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.
We believe that the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin and that their faith will result in visible fruit.
We believe that believers are to be Holy, subsequent to regeneration they are to be sanctified and set apart for service, and that holiness is a gift of grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that also will be evidenced by noticeable fruit and gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit and that the greatest gift is love.
We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.
We believe that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.
We believe that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.
We believe that worship can be culturally relevant and that differing cultural expressions are valid.
We worship our Creator and the son, Jesus the anointed one but we worship, fellowship and nurture one another as Southeastern Nations have always done- through our culture and language.
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notable scripture texts include Ecclesiastes 3:11; Acts 15; Acts 15:17-20; Acts 17:26-27; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24;
