Haskell University is the nation’s only fully accredited Native American college.  It was the site of Student CPX this summer, a student church planting training that was bathed in 24-7 prayer.  Throughout the two weeks of the training, it became obvious to students and leaders alike that God very much desires to do a work at Haskell University!  One Campus America team member shares her story of how God dramatically encountered them in the place of prayer and how He is establishing His presence on campus in a permanent way.  Read more for the rest of the story...

I had no idea what I was in for when I stepped foot on the grounds of Haskell University – the only federally funded college in the United States of America and the only Native American college in the U.S. as well. I did not know much about this small campus in Lawrence, Kansas when I first arrived. All I knew was that it felt like I was in a place that no one knew about and no one cared about. It seemed to be forgotten, unheard of even – much like the Native people themselves.  But throughout my time at Haskell, I became absolutely convinced, utterly persuaded that God has in no way forgotten this precious people!

I was there with representing Campus America and 24-7 Prayer during Student CPX, a church planting training that went on for two weeks this summer and happened to be held at Haskell.  I learned a bit more about the university while I was there. Haskell is strictly a Native American school. 130 tribes were represented at the university and most students return to the reservation after receiving their education. Haskell has been around for 125 years, and in its early days was an assimilation school where young children were removed from their families on the reservations and educated in “white man’s ways” in hopes that they would assimilate into non-Native culture. It’s only been in the past 10 years that Haskell has become a fully accredited university.
 
Two Native intercessors who have moved in with intentions of ministering to Haskell shared more with us. Native students live under such shame, they told us. They feel orphaned and fatherless. They feel they have no purpose. Students walk around campus hanging their heads because of the years of shame. 
 
But Natives are incredibly spiritual people, they also shared with us. They are really open to the idea of a Creator God and a Holy Spirit to live inside of us. They believe prophetic words readily. And wars did not wipe them out, disease and poverty have not wiped them out, assimilation did not work against them – these Native intercessors are thoroughly convinced that God Himself is preserving the First Nation’s culture because He loves it so. I myself have been convinced too!
 
I myself encountered Jesus powerfully in a field in the back of Haskell University with two Native women. One, Pastor Val, was old enough to be my grandmother. The other, Patricia, was old enough to be my mother. Three generations of women, two Native, one non-Native. They invited me to join them on their morning trek around the campus as they interceded on behalf of their people. 
 
As we walked, one of the Native intercessors began to repent for the idolatry that her people have so often succumbed to. She began to weep as she fell on her knees in brokenness over the plight of her people. Within moments she was prostrate in the grass, crying out to God for mercy. I was so moved by her sincerity of heart. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I too, began to repent for the injustice done by my own people to her people. I felt so heard by God there in that clearing that I was almost certain I would catch a glimpse of angels prancing in the meadow.
 
My spirit welled up within me and I began to cry aloud against the racial and denominational division that has separated every generation preceding mine.  “Not MY generation, God! Not MY generation.” I sobbed. “May the African –Americans, the Hispanics, the Natives, the Asians, God may they lead the way in this generation! We ask for unity in Your body, God.”  We began to speak life over the Haskell University campus. I was reminded of Ezekiel 37. It’s one of the original favorite passages within 24-7 Prayer circles. We even have shirts that say “ucbones, icanarmy” (You See Bones, I See An Army.) So I began to pray that the same story would be written here at Haskell University. “God, the bones of the 700 children who died because of injustice are buried here. Would You Yourself raise up an army of 700 Native students to fight for our generation? To fight for You?! Breathe life, call an army forth, God.”
 
The Native intercessors asked me to help create a permanent prayer room for Haskell students.  Together, with all of the college students from around the country who had gathered for student CPX, we were able to make a permanent creative space for Native students to encounter God.  We had some powerful times of prayer over areas of campus that in the past had been places of injustice.  We prayed for the righteousness of God.  We pulled dead weeds and asked God to bring new life to the Native people.  We prayed for forgiveness, for righteousness to abound, for justice to be restored.

The Native intercessors are planning a day of 24-7 prayer in late September, and have graciously asked us to join them.   How could I even dream of saying no to that request? I feel so incredibly honored to have the chance to bless the First Nation’s people. I feel so privileged to have a chance at redemption...a moment to give back a mere shred of what my people have taken. It can’t make up for anything. But it’s a shot at a new beginning, and that’s certainly worth something.
 
Righteousness prepares the way for You to move among us.
 
I feel the weight of this statement.

(for even more details to this story check out Lindsay’s blog at www.beyondmereexistence.com)

-Lindsay Ellyson, Campus America, Kansas City, MO