Klaudts To Implement Phase Two of Ministry
Phase One of the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation’s commitment to Native Americans has been in place for over four years and is bearing positive results. The Foundation has two graduates from their scholarship program and will be graduating their third scholarship recipient this coming May of 2008.
Laura Marie Jones graduated in May of 2004 from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee and Candace Eve Fuller graduated in May of 2007. Both of these young ladies are in a music ministry. In May of 2008, Juan Sali will graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Juan is on staff at a church while studying.
The Klaudts have initiated two scholarships so far. One of these is in the name of Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt and the other in the name of Eva Mae LeFevre. Both of these are music scholarships to Lee University and this is a commitment by the Foundation through the year of 2014.
The third scholarship is in the name of Rev. R. H. Klaudt to the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. It is a ministerial scholarship and this commitment is through the year 2015.
As many of you are aware, Vernon R. Klaudt passed away on September 9, 2006. Although it was not a surprise, since Vernon had been fighting cancer for over seven years, it had a devastating effect on the lives of the Klaudt Family. Vernon had always been the face of the family. In memory of Vernon and his contributions to Indian Ministry and Southern Gospel Music, the Foundation is planning a scholarship in his name either in 2008 or 2009. The nature and placement of this scholarship is yet to be determined.
The family is open to suggestions by the Gospel Music Public in determining this scholarship.
Under our IRS 501 (c) (3) filing, the Foundation has two key areas of purpose as a Public Charity:
- Scholarships that have a direct link to gospel music and ministry, and
- Mission work to Indian reservations in a salvation message and drug and alcohol related programs.
We, as Native Americans born on an Indian reservation, know the spiritual need to minister to Indian kids while their minds and hearts are soft and pliable. So the Foundation is in the creative stages of the development of materials geared to Indian life with a strong verbal Biblical message. These materials will be strong in a pictorial content; recreating historical Indian personalities and identifying them to Biblical Characters.
Once these materials are released, they will be tested by the Klaudt Family on a reservation with the assistance of two or three selected churches through their home mission program. Modifications will be made based on this trial program and then the materials will be made available to organizations that have a heart for Indian Missions.
Three themes of spiritual behavior will be required of the Foundation and their sponsors:
- Giving – “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Luke 12:48. Whatever gifts God has given us we should be willing to give a portion back to God.
- Prayer – The success of the second phase will come only through intercessory Prayer. Jesus was our model for prayer. In Matthew 36 (b), the Lord told his disciples: “Sit ye here, while I go and pray.”
- Serving – “And I want to stress these things, so that those who trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:8
So what we asking our faithful supporters to do, is to continue to give, make a commitment to pray, and to also think about the serving of your time in the future, to visit a reservation with us in a ministerial effort.
Raymond Klaudt is in the middle of the development of these materials in California. The coordination with Melvin Klaudt will be ongoing as he continues to grow the Foundation. In the coming days, the foundation will be approaching local churches to assist in accomplishing the above mentioned themes of support. If you or your church would like to participate with us, please contact us. The success of Phase Two will be the amount of support we receive from established ministries. The family cannot take the “Lone Ranger” attitude in fulfilling the ongoing burden of Mom & Dad Klaudt and their zeal for lost souls.
There are so many misconceptions of Indian Life that the Klaudt Family continues to fight through. The notions that Native Americans are basically satanic in nature; that we tend to worship nature and a false Spirit; and that we are responsible for legalized gambling. The basic fact remains, many Indian Nations embraced the white man’s God and are still some of the most faithful to the true and living God. The message of Christ is always the same no matter the type or category of sin. Native Americans, like everyone else, need the same blood-cleansing experience.
The Klaudt Foundation is excited about Phase Two. Their ministry began on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, in North Dakota during the mid 1920’s. Their early ministry was on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota; Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Crow Indian Reservation and Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, Six Nations in New York; Sioux Nations in South Dakota; Salt River and Navajo Country in Arizona, Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida; Choctaws in Mississippi; Lumbees and Cherokees in North Carolina and many of the Indian Nations in Oklahoma.
God always gives you another chance. The remaining Klaudt Siblings are excited for the opportunity to once again pursue the original burden of their parents, “Indian Missions.”
So, let’s buy up the time, roll up our sleeves, put on the full armor of God, and complete the mission of Christ in these last days. If you don’t have a direct burden for the original inhabitants of this great land, that bequeathed this nation to the world, we understand this. Just continue to minister to whom God has inspired you to minister. Remember we’re all a part of the Body of Christ, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us” Romans 12:6(a). If you have a church prayer group, can I ask you to add us to your prayer list? We would appreciate this so much.
