Children’s and Youth Ministries – Arizona Reservation Ministries

Children's & Youth Ministries

For youth on the reservation, the likelihood of completing high school is far below US average due to poverty, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and family responsibilities. Alcoholism begins before middle school, marijuana, cocaine and meth following quickly. For many, gang affiliation, pregnancy and frequent visits to jail are also part of their teens years.

Children’s Ministries

Our team visits four neighborhoods each week! With Native team members and one other from the ARM team teaching, mentoring and more, we are excited! We are now welcoming the second generation of those hearing the Gospel and enjoying games, crafts and more through this powerful ministry. Bible lessons, object lessons, memory verses, crafts and games all flow from a common theme as intentional lessons are taught to well over 100 kids and teens on a weekly basis! The ARM Team also hosts special events, such as Vacation Bible Schools at Reservation churches, Family Fun Days, and assists in carnivals, parades and more when able. We are also blessed to provide backpacks each July at the beginning of a new school year, and Christmas Stockings and hand-tied fleece blankets just before Christmas. Over 100 children have proclaimed their commitment to Christ in baptism through ARM’s Children’s Ministries since 2012! These are exciting times! In January of 2024, we were able to purchase a Class A RV! This will be a new and more reliable mobile ministry center than the buses we’ve historically used. Please pray for the renovation to be completed, and an additional team member to be provided soon to drive this huge blessing!

Youth Ministries

We are blessed with the opportunity to share the Gospel by word, deed and heart with the youth of the San Carlos Apache Nation! Many who are now passing through those typically turbulent years have been part of our Children’s Ministries for a long time. We remember when they were little and went from diapers to “big girl panties,” when they celebrated a birthday, lost their mama to a meth overdose, or spent time in jail for releasing the anger from the abuse at home. Life for many teens of San Carlos includes so many heart-breaking situations that our earnest plea is that you will passionately pray for them. We are excited about the traveling basketball teams through this ministry who not only receive the adventures of competition across Arizona and beyond but also attend regular practices with Bible lessons and mentorship as well. Several of these team members have chosen Christ as their Savior! We are also praying that our Friday evening gatherings, complete with dinner, games, Bible lessons and time to privately confide and pray, would resume soon. Please join us in praying that those on the ARM team who have shared in this capacity in the past might be able to resume these powerful gatherings soon. Please pray for those on the ARM team who serve by reaching teens. The attacks of the evil one have been brutal. The Reservation will transform as the teens claim the calling God has on them!

Reaching them with a Mobile Ministry Center

For decades, a “Church Bus” would visit four neighborhoods of the San Carlos Apache Reservation on a weekly basis. We’re still visiting an average of over 125 kids and teens four afternoons each week! Visits are held outside as the kids and teens sit on top of carpet squares beneath a canopy to protect them from the Arizona sun. We’re now “grandparents” as children of former “Bus Kids” are now attending. We’ve obtained an RV and are working to renovate it and hire someone to represent Christ and drive it. In the meantime, we visit outside near their playgrounds. Vermaleen, our Children’s Minister and other team members plan and present powerful lessons. As in everything, the leaders of this ministry are from the Reservation, setting an example that’s incredibly strong. We’re hoping YOU can be part of the excitement for an afternoon, too. Those who join in Short-Term Ministry with us are a GREAT help the afternoons their able to join their ARMs in Children’s Ministries.

We are excitedly anticipating being able to serve through our new RV! Our new recreational vehicle will provide shelter on incredibly hot (or cold) days and keep the children and teens protected from the dogs who also like to visit while we gather. Lessons, crafts and games all are intentionally planned to lead these precious ones to deep relationships with the God of Hope. “Bus Team” and the Youth leaders also host special events as able throughout the year, also submitting to Tribal authorities to assist with their special events as invited-such as Vacation Bible Schools at Reservation churches, Sports Camps, Family Fun Days, carnivals, parades and more! We are also blessed to provide backpacks each July for the beginning of a new school year, and Christmas Stockings and hand-tied fleece blankets just before Christmas. Please download the above brochure link for more information, and ways you can help.