• It was more than just a Native discipleship conference – it was a gathering of nations – 60 of the original nations of this land were represented there!
• Nearly one-third of the Native young people attending opened their hearts to Jesus Christ!
• God did a mighty cleansing work as many WLS attendees renounced the sins and “idols” that have enslaved them for so long.

The closing session of this “Heroes of Hope” Summit dramatically displayed the work God began at the conference.  Young people representing 20 nations – from Eskimos to Navajos, from Seminoles to Senecas – shouted boldly, “I’m going back to bring the hope of Jesus to my people."  Simultaneously, an old rugged cross was raised as hundreds of young warriors sang, “Jesus paid it all - all to Him I owe..."  It was a stirring declaration from young men and women who have found hope only at Jesus’ cross – and who return now to bring that hope to their people.

There were plenty of battles leading up to the victories.  Across the continent, we kept getting reports of transportation arrangements unraveling for group after group.  It seemed as if the enemy decided to focus on ambushing the groups before they could leave.  He lost.  They made it.  And hell’s worst fears happened.  Hundreds of Native young people made life-changing decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

What I will remember most from the Summit are the faces.  The faces of Native young people, passionately singing the praises of the One who has rescued them from brokenness and despair. I know what hope for the Native people of this continent looks like - I've seen it. It looks like those faces.

 A few days ago, I felt like I’d been there for a space shuttle launch.  As the U. S. On Eagles’ Wings teams pulled out from our Boot Camp, I said, “We’re trained, we’re motivated, we’re prayed up – and we’re launched!  Team Canada launched first on what will be a 4,500-mile rescue mission to remote villages in western Canada .  These are amazing young people, representing thirty nations – each a walking miracle.

There are battles raging on reservations we’re headed for – hindrances and hardships that will be removed only as we pray.  The extent of the victory will be totally decided by the depth of the prayer support.  The battle for every soul will be hard-fought, fiercely contested.  Prayer will paralyze the forces of darkness and bring in the victory.  That’s why your prayer means so much!

The passion of the young warriors you’re praying for is exemplified by a rookie team member from a suicide-battered reservation in Arizona .  We had just finished our training in how to clearly present the Gospel to a young Native American.  “Maria” decided to call a friend of hers back home on the reservation.  He was just recovering from a hangover.  She told him how she was going to be spending her summer.  He was interested.  She shared with him the “begin a relationship with Jesus” prayer in our “Created for Life” booklet.  Her friend said he wanted to make that prayer his prayer.  Minutes after “Maria” learned how to share her Jesus, she was reaching out to rescue a friend back home!

Our On Eagles’ Wings buses are filled with rescue-driven young people like these.  They are now on the frontlines, fighting for the lives of the reservation young people they’ve come to rescue. If the ground has been prepared by prayer – the intercession of prayer warriors like you – we have every reason to expect a summer of miracles.

And through frontline reports, we’ll do our best to bring you with us.  I can’t remember a Summer of Hope where we as leaders have felt such a sense of expectancy.  Night One – the first rescues of this mission – is less than 24 hours away.  On the eve of battle, God’s little army is ready.  By God’s grace, some desperate young men and women on these reservations are spending their last nights without a Savior.  Hope is on the way.

To send an encouraging word to the OEW teams, click here.