1. ZCRC is a cross-cultural ministry. Zuni culture is unique, rich and for those who are not Zuni, intriguing and perplexing. Though Zuni Pueblo is in many respects a modern American community with roots that can be traced back to pre-Spanish times, it remains a tightly-knit ethnic community of people who speak their own language, govern themselves and their land as a sovereign nation, have their own cultural values and practice their own traditional religion.

The cross-cultural context of our church both enriches and challenges our ministry. Along with cultural and religious challenges, complex social and economic problems impact the health and well-being of the whole community. Whether directly or indirectly, alcoholism or drug abuse affects everyone who lives in the Pueblo. As a church, we embrace the challenge of being salt and light to broken and hurting people in our community. We point to Jesus as we often help in very practical ways.

2. ZCRC is part of the Zuni Christian Reformed Mission and serves in partnership with Zuni Christian Mission School [ZCMS]. While the church and school have separate governing bodies, leadership and staff, together they serve the people of the Zuni Pueblo as a unified holistic ministry. The church and school have a common vision and work side by side in the shared facility. Practices and policies are in place to facilitate a smooth working relationship between church and school.

3. The programs of ZCRC are the corporate expression of our thankfulness to God. These include:

• Worship services;

• Bible study and prayer groups;

• Children and youth programs;

• Counseling and discipleship mentoring;

• Support groups, specifically through Celebrate Recovery;

• Benevolence.

Evangelism is at the heart of the Zuni Christian Reformed Mission and Church. As the body of Christ in Zuni, we are called to be witnesses to the Gospel in every relationship whether that relationship grows in the context of a church program, the mission school or in our everyday lives in our families, neighborhoods and work places. Trust opens the way for non-Christians to consider the truths of the Bible.

It is our goal to be a ministering church—through our programs, yes; but most importantly, through our relationships. We desire to be a discipling church, raising future leaders from within.

4. The ZCRC congregation is diverse. While enjoying our diversity, we come together in unity through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ethnically, the majority of our church family is comprised of indigenous Zuni and Navajo peoples. We also have members and attendees of European, Asian, and African descent. Most church members and Zuni Christian Mission staff reside on Zuni pueblo lands. Other members and attendees come from communities adjacent to the Zuni Indian Reservation.

The church family is diverse in other ways. There are a variety of educational backgrounds and income levels. We have artisans making jewelry and pottery, Public Health Service employees, public school and mission educators, tribal government employees, and retirees within the church family. Within this mixture of people, a range of denominational backgrounds can also be found. Our ages range from birth to senior adults. The blessings of young families with youthful children and a strong youth group are a source of hope for the church’s future.

On a deeper level, we are also diverse in terms of where we are on our Christian walk. In worship services and church or school functions, there are more mature Christians, young Christians, and seekers who are new to the faith or just curious about what happens at church. Some within the church family stand as the only Jesus-follower within their biological families. Others come from covenant families where acceptance of Jesus as Savior has been taught from generation to generation. Together, we look to Jesus the Messiah as the foundation of life.

The ZCRC reflects a diversity of difficulties and redemption stories. Intergenerational trauma is common and manifests itself through alcoholism, drug abuse, and domestic violence. These are interwoven into our church members’ extended families. However, remarkable stories of redemption, freedom, and recovery grow out of encounters with the risen Lord. Certainly, church members still struggle with hurts, habits, and hangups, and instances of failure in their battle may cause shame and separation from the church body from shorter to longer episodes. Therefore, the restorative nature of the ZCRC ministry cannot be overstated.

The encounter with Christ creates an internal struggle in any seeker that is cognitive, emotional, and spiritual. Because the majority of the Zuni population follows the beliefs of their ancestors, this dissonance manifests itself uniquely in Zuni and involves family members and friends.

The ZCRC is a hospitable group of people, which is exemplified when addressing the difficulties and problems we face. The church aspires to be the hands and feet of Christ instead of thinking of these ministries as reserved for only the pastor, the church council, and the school staff. So there are men and women’s prayer meetings, Celebrate Recovery groups, and the beginnings of an outreach to men. These relationships and programs are representative of our efforts to become the church ministering.

5. ZCRC is grounded in the knowledge that God is at work in our lives and in our community. There are times when God’s goodness and grace washes over us obviously and tangibly; then worship soars and hope flourishes. But there are also times of crushing discouragement that dashes hope and leaves us heart-broken. Each circumstance invites us to explore God’s work in our lives and in this place. We acknowledge how graciously and patiently He shapes our hearts to embrace his purposes. Our lives of faith call us to be awake and attentive to the love-prompted mighty acts of God.