Indigenous Tribes Gather in Israel

The following is the inspiring lead article from the Winter 2008/09 edition of LIFE: A First Nations Ministry Report to the Friends of Wiconi International. Reprinted with permission.

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WCGIP In Israel: One Big Family Reunion

Some 437 International delegates from more than 30 countries and nearly 100 different tribes made the pilgrimage to Israel to attend the Seventh World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People. Delegates presented songs, dances, and prayers each from their own tribal tradition and all in honor of Jesus. Some of the traditional singing and dancing presented had never before been done praising Creator’s Son anywhere, much less openly and publicly in the land of Jesus. It was truly historic.

All left with a greater vision of the Father’s heart for themselves, their nations and a strong sense of being a part of a growing global community of Indigenous Christ-followers.

Delegates spent the first three days at the Ginnosar Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee. There they worshipped together with tribal people from around the world using their amazing tribal songs, dances, music and languages. There was very little teaching and preaching, but story-telling of God’s work among their people, along with talking circles in the afternoons, filled the daily schedules.

A simple sweat lodge was built by the North American First Nations delegates on the Sea of Galilee where several dozen tribal people from half-a-dozen countries met to offer sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving and to intercede for their nations. In this traditional “prayer hut” attendees could be heard fervently pouring out their hearts to Jesus for spiritual renewal, peace and healing for their lands and people.

At the Sea of Galilee, the entire delegation rode in three barge-type boats to Capernaum. In the middle of the sea, the three boats were tied side by side, with the middle boat serving as the music and dance area. The musicians from Papua New Guinea along with their traditional tribal dancers began singing and dancing their traditional dances to begin a time of joy-filled worship together. Soon many joined in with their own dances and about ten drums appeared for a drum-jam session with tribal rhythms blended together. We laughed and celebrated with great exuberance like a big family should when they gather together for a reunion.

About 100 delegates came from Papua and Indonesia. For many of these tribal people, the gospel has been in their remote areas for less than 50 years. Theirs is among the newest of churches in the world. Their worship to Jesus fully expressed the context of their indigenous music, singing, regalia, dress and dance forms. Their drumming and chanting was awesome! Many delegates said they were one of the most inspiring representations at this year’s Gathering.

A family of eight came from Okinawa. Their traditional music, dancing and outfits were so anointed, beautiful, graceful and amazing that many could be seen weeping as they watched and listened. The dignity of their movements so expressed the presence of the Holy Spirit that people were simply awed as they worshipped with them.

Of great significance is the emerging global Indigenous youth initiative. They are convening gathering in different parts of the world to address issues of concern to their generation. Plans for other global gatherings focusing on issues of social justice, micro-economic development and indigenous theological training in different parts of the world are being hatched.

Make plans for the Eighth World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People hosted by the Maori in New Zealand in 2010 or 2011.

[For more details and beautiful color photos, click here.]

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Wiconi International
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