CROWNPOINT CHURCH OF CHRIST

CROWNPOINT CHURCH of CHRIST

Crownpoint is a very rural communityOther smaller nearby areas include: Smith Lake, Standing Rock, Coyote Canyon, Borrego Pass,

Crownpoint and the surrounding

area. About half of the 469

people are under 30. The majority of those under 30 are under

18. The predominant

religions in the area are Traditionalism, Mormonism and

Variations of Pentecostalism.

90% of the residents are Native American

predominately Navajo 9% are Anglo. All

other groups less than 1%.

Minister: Edison Gruber

Fully Bi-lingual and switches easily from Navajo to English and back again.

From the Crownpoint area. Was raised in the traditions of the Navajo

people and was in training to become a medicine man. He fully understands the struggles of leaving behind traditions.

Overcame alcoholism with God’s help more than 30 years ago. This makes him uniquely qualified to minister to the people who are struggling with alcoholism.

Minster’s Training

The first American Indian graduate of Bear Valley Preaching School.

Very adept at Greek and able to instruct the Navajo people in using the original language of the Gospel in study.

Acutely aware of the struggles and issues that people in the community face and how to overcome them with God’s help.

Edison is shown here taking a confession before baptism. He knows God’s word and preaches the full word of God.

Michael takes the pulpit when Brother Gruber is gone. He is VERY camera shy, however, he just hides behind the cross when he preaches and the shyness goes away. He does an excellent job.

He studies a great deal and Brother Gruber works with him on the sermon outlines.

People come from near and farSome members are near

enough to walk to the building.

Others face a 160 mile roundtrip

Crownpoint is a congregation of “babes in Christ”. The majority of members were baptized in the last three

years. 7 baptisms in three years.

A young man is baptized. Full immersion. A faithful woman.

House to HouseHeart to HeartThe entire zip code area receives “House to House-Heart to Heart”. The ladies of the congregation are currently working with 11 students by correspondence. We hope for more soon.Tracts are also placed all around the community.

Monthly classes that focus on high interest topics have pulled in people from outside the church.

Several teachers have attended as well as relatives from extended families of the members.The congregation always follows the classes with a potluck.

We frequently go places together and have devos, singing in

Navajo and English.

The Women want to help our

congregation become self-supporting.

The women of the congregation try to help with funding by sewing and crafting and giving the proceeds to the church. We have had some flea market sales and sold handmade tote bags through a booth out of state with space donated by a member of the church.

The Children: Bible classes Sunday and Wednesday, fishing trips, egg

hunts etc. Playing outside at the wood hauling

Learning how to cook frybread.

Dying Easter eggs to hunt.

The Church “Van” The congregation bought a Tahoe inexpensively because it had a bent frame. Brother Gruber worked tirelessly on it lifting it off the frame and changing it. All the wiring and fuel system had to be taken apart and put back together. It runs like a 4-wheel dream.

Desert GardeningWe planted several things. We got squash and some tiny corn. The produce-and the work was shared

among the congregation.

Crownpoint is dry and cold. Annual woodhauling, stump pulling, and chopping means all hands on deck.

Everyone helpsEach family favors different types of wood for heating.

Little Ones & Big OnesSeveral days are spent each fall gathering wood for the congregation.

Wood for the ChurchWe work practically every weekend till everyone has enough.

Working on the Building Complex

Our teens working to repair old floor.

Work group and members put in new

floor Painting the

Building

Building a much needed storage shed.

Local members laying the foundation.

Helping the visiting work group. Storage Building

What we DON’T need.

SongbooksWe have full sets of at

least 7 different songbooks.

Bulletins and TractsMembers drive around with boxes in their vehicles dropping these off at laundromats, hospitals, detention

centers etc. In a desperate attempt to empty our shelves.

ClothesThe postage, gas or shipping cost of getting these items to us makes them a poor stewardship choice. There are enough old clothes coming onto the reservation to clothe the whole nation.

What we Do need.

Craft and Sewing Outlets.

Ladies here are willing to craft and sew items to sell but we need outlets to sell through. We have one Sister who sells

through her flea market booth.

TractorIf our minister had a dirt moving machine such as a backhoe/dozer he could be more self-supporting.

Postage stampsThe members are absorbing the cost of mailing out the courses and often have to wait until they have money on hand to send replies.

More ways to help.

Donations/ one time or continuing

Donations of any size are appreciated and may be sent to P.O. Box 483, Crownpoint, New

Mexico, 87313

Invitations to speak

Brother Gruber is willing to come out and speak to interested

congregations.Travel Expense is appreciated.

PrayersYour prayers to the Lord on our

behalf mean so much.

“…the Lord be with you all.” II Thess. 3:16Thank You