It’s not everyday that you see a grassroots ministry ready to take the land by storm. But that is precisely what United Tribes for Christ Fellowship endeavors to do, and they’re inviting everyone who can to become a part of their vision.

On November 10th I had the privilege of meeting with the United Tribes leadership to discuss their latest vision and obtain a first-hand account of the details for their community project. The moment I heard about their aspiration, God gripped my heart. Sure enough, after talking for several hours, the vision came forth with blazing clarity:

They are ready to change not only their surrounding community,

but touch the world with the HOPE of Jesus Christ.

How do they plan to do that? By creating a self-sustained community through viable service outreaches of every kind – beginning at home in Southeast Oklahoma to the Native American people and beyond. The potential is that it will eventually touch the world in all walks of life through those who participate and partake.

Founding

United Tribes organized in 1978 as a 501-(c)3 under its Founder, Tom Berryhill as a manifestation of its Visionary, George Geimesaddle. The vision was initially presented to numerous Oklahoma ministers in Texas who promised to bring back that vision to Oklahoma in Native America. That vision was birthed when the small tabernacle was packed with people who wanted to see it come to pass. The Fellowship was then formed through by-laws and a  501-(c)3 was then officially established.

Since that time United Tribes has grown to encompass many diverse outreaches including the band New Creations and Kingdom Rock Fest where powerful Christian concerts reach people of all ages, especially the youth. Willow Arbor is an outreach as well that helps create and sustain agriculture and produce for communities.

The core vision and mission of United Tribes for Christ Fellowship according to its President Larry Harrison is, “The core mission statement is to reach out to Native America across the United States, Canada and South America – the indigenous people –  to get the Gospel to them. So, United Tribes is a vehicle that was established to help ministries, to even license ministers, that we felt would fall under the qualifications of being licensed also. So the mission is to win souls to Christ, to establish churches if possible, to evangelize, and to have a continuing outreach to Native America.” The ministry is currently active nationwide and also includes individuals in Canada. At one time the ministry had more than forty licensed ministers in Canada.

George Geimesaddle’s vision was extraordinarily grand. According to Secretary of Treasurer, Nancy Goate, “He wanted to see the Native American from the North, South, East and West coming together in one place, and to share the Kingdom of God with one another, and to build up the Native American as far as the ministry and their understanding, and to become a viable ministry in the United States and the world. That’s what he wanted to see.” The vision was clearly global, referencing the four winds that encircle the earth. That vision is now on the threshold of coming to pass with this new project.

Many different tribes are currently represented within United Tribes, and all are welcome to participate. Non-Natives have also served on the board at differing times. The vision embraces unity among all peoples. United Tribes anticipates the participation of people from all over the world who want to make this project happen. They have created an open forum for their board meetings, which are public, where people can make suggestions which are then voted upon by the board.

The Vision

The latest project United Tribes is embarking upon is an extraordinary honor from God, which was initially birthed out of a genuine need. According to Nancy Goate, “We envisioned a place of gathering for the Fellowship, because for all these years since 1993, we have gone to different areas for conferences and camp meetings – never a place for United Tribes to call home. I’ve always wondered about that. Lord, are we to go out to the world? Is this what our ministry is? And it has been for all these years. And so we have been into Louisiana, Michigan, all over Oklahoma, having camp-meetings. In myself, I’ve really been praying about a place. People want to know God, the true word of God. They don’t want the watered-down messages, lukewarm, or… they want some daily manna. Lord lead us to have a place to fellowship. He began to put into my spirit that He had a place for us. We were to build this event center that would hold two thousand people. It was huge, and I thought, ‘There’s no way’. But as we began to speak about it to other people, they wanted a place also, where they could build a place where they would have the freedom to speak about the Lord in the schools.”

And so the vision immediately expanded to include what would eventually become a thriving foundation for a community. “We want a school, a recovery center for women, a retirement home. We want to build a place where we can raise our own food, be able to help the community if they needed it. If someone needed a place to stay, if they needed food, they needed a job, we could actually provide those things – that we were not limited to just one thing. Our ministry could expand in different areas. It just began to explode in my spirit and in my mind, and I began to see visions of different things; what we can actually accomplish.  So when we began to talk about it, I realized everybody else had the same vision!”

According to Amber Aitson, “We’re just wanting to grow and support other outreaches. Anybody who has an idea of what they want to do as an outreach, we want to support them, let them know that they can come in with their ideas and present it, and then we’ll do what we can to help them.”

Phillip Harrison shares, “We also talked about having a wellness center. The name of that one was Angel Wings. We talked about having a gymnasium there with an indoor track and a workout place with a pool.”

Ardeena Angelo shares, “Willow Arbor will be the community training and education for sustainable agriculture, home building, and different aspects of what is needed there. The focus would be training. It would have different kinds of gardens like field crops: corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and then crops for the animals. I see it as a large gated community.”

“We’ve already talked to people. They’re willing to come and live out there to be full time security,” according to Nancy Goate who adds, “We want all this done without the government intervening in anything. We want this all to be done by private donation. Actually, we want to be a self-sustainable community.” After reading through all their information every single element of what would sustain a community is fully present, including schools, and possibly a university in due time. It’s very possible to envision a small city being built around what they’re forming. People are going to flock to this.

Is United Tribes prepared for that community response?

Phillip Harrison responds, “One of the reasons we decided we need this was because of the state our country is in. It’s turned away from God, and we know that we don’t want our future generations growing up under this lifestyle. That’s the main reason we see it needed in our fellowship. Our kids will have Christian morals.”

In short, everyone caught the same wind. God confirmed these plans in several ways: by placing it in the hearts and minds of each United Tribes member, and furthermore by granting them a specific piece of private land, which God has chosen for them in Central Southeast Oklahoma. That piece of land is yet to be purchased, which is the next step in moving forward with God’s call. This is a new chapter for United Tribes, and they’re ready to meet it full throttle. There are four phases to the community project, which together total an estimated $25 million, which for a ministry of this size is overwhelming, but for God is very do-able.

The Goals

Phase I =  $2,762,600

1.) Land Acquisition
2.) Renovation of three cabins and bunkhouse
3.) Entry gate
4.) Fencing
5.) Surveillance
6.) Road Construction
7.) Earth-sheltered safety shelter/storage building

Phase II = $14,042,000

1.) Performing Arts Center complete with stage, sound and video production, offices and guest/hotel rooms
2.) 12 Cabins and/or condo style apartments
3.) Willow Arbor Sustainable Agriculture Project
4.) Farm and Ranch Operations with barns and outbuildings

Phase III =$7,026,000

1.) School: Preschool – Grade 12
2.) Youth Center
3.) Large Park and Pavilion

Phase IV = 1, 384,500

1.) Residential Treatment Center
2.) Amphitheater – 500 Seating
3.) Recreational Vehicle Park

United Tribes recognizes the need from all walks of life, and the many gifts, talents and God-given abilities that will be resourced through volunteers, as well as paid employees and licensed professionals from all over the world. Nancy Goate says, “This could become a model project” which could be replicated in the US and around the world in other indigenous countries. The result would be a self-sustaining community, providing helps in every area of need. No doubt, this would be an oasis among those who are impoverished. Many people have never grown up with such resources in their own back yard which are so readily accessible and freely given. This is where United Tribes anticipates an influx of peoples that would require the help of volunteers, educators, licensed professionals, and employed personnel to meet the demands of those at home and abroad.

The Land

God confirmed the call and vision by opening an opportunity for United Tribes to purchase privately owned land from the Southern Baptist Church, which totals $635 thousand. The original vision for was for 100 acres, which has expanded to 358, and more besides. The location is ideal, being in the Central Southeast part of Oklahoma, and the land is exceptionally rich with natural springs and other natural minerals and ore. Truly, this plot is a significant amount of Oklahoma. Everything has been mapped out strategically. The first four phases are drawn. However, United Tribes fully anticipates this could explode into something much larger that would encompass a university, a medical center, a veterinary clinic, full-time security, and even for-profit businesses. And more land is now available for purchase than when they begun. United Tribes is looking at the possibility of obtaining that land as well.

The land is like unwrapping a gift. Much of this land is virgin soil that is thick with brush and bush. It’s full of wildlife and natural resources that could bring a lush potential for lumber, irrigation, agriculture, and even mining as land is cleared for the necessary buildings.

The potential for this vision is enormous.

Funding and Acquisition

The next immediate step is land acquisition. Funding is a strategic part of this project, and United Tribes has already met their first obstacle. According to Nancy Goate they could have already obtained the land several months ago, and been funded monthly, but those funds were withdrawn once it was discovered they were a Christian organization. But United Tribes is not stopping. Their hearts are strong and their vision is steadfast. They are moving forward with God on target. Although others have looked at the land, God has preserved it for them.

Already there are people willing to donate not only their resources, animals, time, and talents, but their their livelihood, their ministries, and their professional / vocational skills.

The vision is very appealing to the Christian community. But it’s also a huge draw for those who are impoverished in the area, which is the immediate target population. In fact, any human being can identify with what United Tribes is wanting to do. And the reality is, people of every kind will benefit. It can reach anybody – anyone and everyone. It’s a beautiful vision. This ministry would reach out to anyone, far beyond the Native community. United Tribes is not putting any limits on their reach. Already, they have had ministries and individuals showing genuine interest in relocating for the purpose of this vision.

Everything is in place and ready to go. United Tribes is ready to take this ground for God.

If you would like to help, or are interested in being a part of this project, please utilize the contact information below. Helps and gifts of every kind, as well as funding, are needed. Please note that all monies and monetary donations given are tax-deductible.

Thank you for your interest toward this timely project! God bless you!

Cheers & Shalom,

Visit United Tribes for Christ Fellowship @ http://unitedtribesforchrist.org