REFLECTING THE LIGHT MINISTRY
(RTLM)
We come alongside small native churches that nobody else sees, that are out in these small towns on the reservations that are just struggling to survive.
Bob Colbenson
Serving those that Serve Native American & First Nation Communities
Why Do We Exist?
We are told that 94 to 96% of Native
peoples have rejected the Gospel.
That's a lot of lost souls!
We are here to serve the Lord. We come alongside pastors and missionaries by doing building maintenance, remodels and grounds work projects.
We also, in most cases, cover part of the cost. In some cases, we cover all the cost.
But sometimes they just need a helping hand.
RTLM's Story
The beginning. I have been in the mission field on and off for the most of 25 years. I lead trips to Mississippi after Katrina.
Then in 2017, we started RTLM, and we prayed for direction. That same year we found ourselves in Bemidji at the Center for Indian Ministries United in Christ event, and the “Die was Cast”.
But at the end of the day, Salvation for the lost is always the bottom line. Always!
Thank you for giving of your time in prayers, in volunteering, and financial giving.
Bob & Sandy Colbenson
The Details: What Does RTLM Do?
- RTLM is a group of volunteers that pay their own expenses so that all the donated funds go to the work projects.
- These projects are supported by Brothers & Sisters that have come alongside us with financial support and prayer.
- Our RTLM volunteers have generally come from 3 states and have served thousands of hours in places.
- Some of the places we've served:
- Pine Ridge in South Dakota
- Rosebud in South Dakota
- Keystone and Sisseton in South Dakota
- Cass Lake, Minnesota
- Bemidji, Minnesota
- Mille Lacs, Minnesota
- Niobrara, Nebraska
There is so much mission work in our United States. Volunteers are needed.
What Are Our Struggles?
We always struggle with "boots on the ground". It is getting harder to get help on projects. The older group of volunteers is fading out and the void is not being filled. It’s a big problem!
Funding is the one that really limits who RTLM can help. Even with limited boots on the ground, if we have the funds we can still meet a lot of needs and help change lives!
Success Stories
Successes are hard to explain.
Native ministry is SLOW and PAINFUL and HEART BREAKING!
Success comes in adding a bathroom that helps to bring the old elders, that brings more kids to church.
Success is in giving that Missionary or Pastor a better tool to work with!
Success is in going back to that church in Aberdeen SD. and having a native women come up to me crying her eyes out and giving me a big hug and says “If we had not added the rooms to that church, she would be DEAD! Because she would have had to go back to the EVIL and it would have killed her!
That’s the Success.
Churches and Ministries Where We've Worked
Niobrara, NE. Ponca Reservation. Local Native Ministry. Built an outdoor meeting area.
Yankton Reservation, SD. Purchased a home for a local Native Pastor and his wife after they lost their home to a flood.
Pine Ridge Reservation SD. Native Church’s. Installed all new lights and modeled a bathroom. Another church we reinforced basement walls. Another, we replaced the hot water heater and broken water lines. Another we installed inside doors.
Rosebud Reservation, SD. A women’s shelter. We repaired heating system. Replaced outside door. Replaced kitchen flooring. Native church, we installed a septic tank and provided for a bathroom in a church that never had one.
White Earth Reservation, MN. We have and are working on 3 different churches. Everything from installing new windows, building a new stage, building and installing new doors to the sanctuary too installing a bathroom on the 1st level of the church (That help to change the whole dynamics of the church.)
We have remodeled foyer areas, install new exterior entry doors, install all new lights and ceiling fan assemblies and built and rebuilt children ministry areas.
We are working with White Earth Pastors on building a new Youth Center to be shared by all 3 church’s. We have been on White Earth for the last 3 years with more to come.
Many, many trips and thousands of hours of work! Much more work to do!
Mille Lacs Reservation, MN. Helping to build a Youth Center over the last 2 years. Almost done!
Aberdeen, SD. a church that is giving women a place to stay after they get out of jail or rehab. We added 2 new bedrooms and a new bathroom with 2 new showers.
Oak Hills Fellowship, Center for Indian Ministries (CIM), Bemidji, MN. Office remodel. Mokahum Ministry Center (CIM) we have done a number of housing repairs, installed a new septic system and built a new 4 stall garage.
Keystone Project Ministry Center, Keystone, SD. RTLM has done a number of projects over the last 9 years. Many housing projects from siding, roofing, new construction to Bridge repair. Even helping with Native training class’s.
Nooksack Reservation, Deming, WA. RTLM is building a Youth Center on the Res from the ground up. Hoping that after the coming Oct trip this year the building will be useable. Not total done, but useable.
We also built a home for a retiring Native pastor in Sisseton SD. He had always lived in the house supplied by the church, so when it can time to retire he did not have a home.
Plus there have been a number of Brothers and Sisters that RTLM has been able to come alongside of financially.
Reflecting The Light Ministry is a ministry partner of Oak Hills Center for Indian Ministries (CIM) in Bemidji MN, and with Awakening Hope Ministry in Baxter MN.
"The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."
Charles Spurgeon
