Warrior Leadership Summit

My mother, Mary, was born on a dirt floor in a small house called a hogan, in Northwest New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation. She was raised by her grandparents who were very traditional and she spoke her Native language, Navajo, until she was taken to boarding school at the age of eight. She had a joy for life and loved to read books, especially the series "Dick and Jane." She vowed to live the life of "Dick and Jane," where they had running water in their house and Jane didn't have to raise sheep. My mother graduated from high school and went on to college and earned her degree in education. She had me a few years later.

I was raised by my mother who was a single parent. She worked extra jobs to put food on the table for my brother and me. My father left our family before I was born because of alcoholism. Sadly, this is seen too often in Native America - absent fathers and alcoholism. My mother relied on God to bring her family through. While she was attending school, she started attending church services. This became her usual routine on Sunday, to take her children to church.

Keeping My Commitment

I grew up in church. I knew the Bible verses; I knew the songs and even walked down the aisle to ask for salvation. This church part of me was only seen on Sundays. I denied God at school and with my friends, but was a good Christian girl at church. I was a "Sunday Christian."

One summer afternoon I went with my best friend to her church youth group meeting. I went along because she said we would go to the movies afterward. At this meeting, they showed a promotional video for Warrior Leadership Summit. I had no idea what or where this was, but in my heart, I knew I needed to go.

We were both excited about this opportunity to go to Nebraska, as we'd never left the reservation before. The day came for the group to leave and I was extremely disappointed. No other girls, including my best friend, were going and 11 boys were loaded up in the 15 passenger van. I survived the two-day trip to and from Nebraska.

The WLS Impact

Warrior Leadership Summit impacted my heart with the desire to know this Creator more and in a true light. I saw teenagers my own age, from different reservations, with the same background as me, all seeking after Christ. Their hearts "glowed" with Christ's love and made me want to have that in my life. I told Christ, "I've been running my own life, and from this day forward, I am Yours."

Every year since my first Warrior Leadership Summit I've made it a point to go back. There have been times where I've had to catch rides across the states.

In 2005, I decided it was the right time for me to join the On Eagles' Wings team. I really didn't know what to expect but it was totally life changing. I didn't know how to introduce someone to a relationship with Christ. I didn't know how to use basketball and music as a way of telling of who Jesus is. I just didn't know, but I was taught how.

On Eagles' Wings taught me the importance of telling others, especially my own people, about Jesus and why a Biblical education was important. It is to be grounded in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, while telling others about the Gospel.

I graduated in May 2008 from a Christian University in Colorado with my B.A. in Communications. In January 2009, I came to work for Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. My life is being molded by Christ and He started with my mom when she was a little girl. As Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."