On Eagles Wings - Ron Hutchcraft Ministries

We would like to meet as soon as possible with the local planning leaders and volunteers to thank you for your help in preparing for our visit. We also want to introduce you to the OEW team members.

Based on the available time, the team would get oriented to the housing facilities, and unpack the bus with their sleeping bags and air mattresses. If time allows, we would have a brief team meeting, of which you would be welcome to participate in. We always want to include in this initial “get acquainted time” a time of prayer with the local leaders.

Canvassing the Community

One of the first major events the team does is canvass the local community, usually in the afternoon of our first day in town. The team members go out in groups of three and knock on the doors of the local tribal housing. It’s amazing to see the reaction of local people when they see positive young Native youth from two to three different tribes standing at their door.

During the canvassing, the team will introduce themselves, talk about the On Eagles’ Wings team, and let the people know about the events we’ll be conducting during the next few days. Information flyers will also be given to each family.

Setting Up for the Outreach Event

After a bite to eat, the team will go by bus to the outreach venue to begin setting up for the first night’s events.

A typical schedule for the evening would include:

• 5:30 pm: Arrive at outreach site. Begin set-up
• 6:30 pm – set-up complete. Music playing. “shoot hoops”. Begin to meet people arriving. Begin sign-up for teams or individuals for sports competitions.
• 7:00 pm – Targeted “start” time for outreach event
• 9:00 to 9:15 pm – targeted time to complete the “program” for the evening. Music continues to play at a low volume. Conversations taking place
• 10:15 – 10:30 pm – Tear down / load out.
• 11:00 pm – depart.

The athletes help set up the sports events while the sound technicians set up the sound equipment. Our literature table gets stocked with resource items we will distribute during the events, and then the outreach of On Eagles’ Wings gets underway.

Each of our team members are equipped to share their faith and the Gospel one-on-one. As local people begin to arrive, our team introduces themselves and begins to initiate conversation. Our goal is that every person who attends our events, whether young or old, is visited personally by one or more of our team members. A clear presentation of the Gospel is given to them regardless of age.

As the first evening’s outreach progresses, you will see how God uses the simple strategy of empowered Native youth sharing Christ with their peers. For many of the local non-Christian youth, it may be the first time that Jesus Christ is ever considered by them as an option, because the messengers of the Gospel are Native young people who they can easily relate to. Along with quality sports and fun events, the top-notch Christian hip-hop artists who travel with the team will present a clear Gospel message in a language lost Native youth understand.

Building Effective Outreach Events

Often the first night of outreach can be the most difficult. Everything is new, and trust takes time to develop. While the first night is usually the hardest, the following nights often produce the largest response. That’s why we are in a community for multiple days. We hope you and your leaders will be able to experience all of the outreach events to see the momentum build nightly.

Team Debriefing

After the outreach event is over the team returns to the housing facilities and our team debriefing is held. We celebrate victories won and pray for God’s Spirit to continue to break through pain-hardened hearts.

We would welcome any of the local ministry leaders to join us for these encouraging late-night gatherings. It brings you right into the heart of the team as you join us in celebration and prayer.