For the Lummi and Nooksack Nations of northwestern Washington State, the traditional ways of their people are central to their identity. Past outreach methods with Native Americans required them to choose between Jesus and their culture, leading many to reject Him. But just as early Christians did not have to become Jewish in order to follow Jesus, MTW’s team believes no Lummi or Nooksack must give up their ethnic identity to be a Christian. And so they seek to foster relationships of trust and respect, demonstrating God’s love for the tribes through deeds of mercy and hospitality.

This ministry of mercy, carried out over many years by short-term teams, has created a credible, trusted witness that allows the MTW team to open the Scriptures and teach about the Lord. They minister through sports clinics, pastoral visits, and small group Bible studies with the long-term goal of planting gospel-centered Native churches among the tribes. Team members strive to be learners, not just teachers, and receivers of gifts as well as gift-givers. The team also affirms the Lummi and Nooksack culture as much as possible, desiring to show that in Christ, tribe members will not lose their ethnic identity, but will instead gain new hope and new life.