Another conference offered by Aloha Ke Akua, the "First Nations" movement and YWAM is scheduled for Oahu in June. A number of the announced speakers are also on the Aloha Ke Akua "Advisory Board" including Herbert Hoefer,  John Dawson, Richard Twiss, and Don Richardson.  According to the Aloha Ke Akua web site the "Board Of Directors" for Aloha Ke Akua is Rev. Daniel and Yolanda Kikawa, Rev. John Trusdell, Ken Tomita and James Yamada.  The President of Aloha Ke Akua is Daniel Kikawa, VP John Trusdell, Secretary Yolanda Kikawa and Treasurer James Yamada.  The Advisory Board who is behind putting on this "A Call To The Nations" Conference are as follows: Don Richardson, Herbert Hoefer, John Dawson, Island Breeze Hawaii Board (Tom and Becky Fernandez, Peni and Paoakalani Patu, Kealoha and Taimane Kaopua, Sione and Leinaala Fruean, Eruera Kawe, Monte and Linda Ohia, Mark Blair, Richard Twiss, Sam Webb, Terry LeBlanc, Aunty Mary Boyd, Hanalei Colleado, Rusty Pundyke, George Kaimiola, Arni Klein, Junji Ono, Don Mapes, Jorie and Christie West, Kenneth Wong, Shanette Martin, Tom Hallas, Renaldo and Braulia Ribero, Donna Jordan, Fay Williams, David Garratt, Francis Oda, David and Liz Matsuura, Lissa Paresa, Tim Carigon, John and Rev. Nalani Subiono, Kamuela and Lei Kahalehili, Myles and Joyce Kawakami, Jerry and Jan Parks, John and JoAnn McCollum, Zennie Sawyer.  You can go here for more information about these people.  One thing you will notice is that people involved with YWAM play a major role in the advisory board of this conference.

Daniel Kikawa and his book "Perpetuated In Righteousness", as well as the teaching of the First Nations, YWAM and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) lay the basis for the ideas put forth by this movement.  Kikawa's book was endorsed by John Dawson of YWAM.  YWAM is firmly a part of the NAR which is headed by C. Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Cindy Jacobs, Dutch Sheets, Bill Hamon, Tommy Tenney, Mike Bickle and includes hundreds of other false apostles, false prophets and false teachers.  If you want an in depth study of the NAR, go here. Richard Twiss and his ministry Wiconi are endorsed by the leadership of the NAR including C. Peter Wagner, Francis Frangipane and Charles Kraft.

This "First Nation's movement", for lack of a better term, is full of the false teachings of the Third Wave, New Apostolic Reformation, Word-Faith, Dominionism, Latter Rain and many other false theological systems.  But it does have it's own distinctives that are driven by the works of Daniel Kikawa, Richard Twiss, and John Dawson in particular.  Following are some of the things they have been doing and teaching all over the world.

My comments, which will be brief in order that you can spend your time reading their statements, will be in RED.  Their quotes taken from web pages, articles and other sources are in BLACK. I think you will be shocked by what you read.  I believe it is time for islanders to take a stand against this stuff coming into the island churches.  I personally stand fully against this influx of these "First Nations" unbiblical ideas, and I do so because the ongoing ministry of my family for 44 years has been to minister alongside the churches of Micronesia in the furtherance of the Gospel.  We love the island people!  For people like Richard Twiss and Daniel Kikawa to teach the stuff they are teaching constitutes an ALL OUT ATTACK on mission and church work in the islands.

You can click on underlined links to go to specific articles about people or subjects.  I urge everyone reading this page to fully absorb this material, especially pastors and church leaders.

(1) They teach that God has been redeeming cultures and that He placed in all cultures a way for men to have a relationship with God outside of the Gospel.

“So these are clues that we felt God had left (the Hawaiian people) and evidence that He’s left as well as processes He has left in which our Hawaiian people can respond in a very natural way to God and really set things right between them and God.” (Leon Siu, Word To The World, show #544)

“There’s a myth that we have labored under for centuries in indigenous communities and the myth is that we are a godless heathen people.”  (Terry LeBlanc, Word To The World, show #542)

“And yet all brings glory to God in its own special way, and that’s true of human beings and cultures as well.” (Terry LeBlanc, Word To The World, show #542)

“God is now calling forth from among the indigenous communities of the world that good deposit which He has made in them of their cultures, their languages, their musical expressions and all that sort of thing ... as an expression of praise and worship unto Himself.” (Terry LeBlanc, Word To The World, show #542)

“The book of Revelation the Bible doesn’t say we’re going to be all one block of one color of people, it says every kindred, tongue, people, language and nation will be there, uh, languages, peoples and cultures in heaven.” (Danny Lehmann, Word To The World, show #542)

“… Several of these … redemptive analogies ... are in most if not all cultures.”  (Danny Lehmann, Word To The World, show #544)

A few years ago some friends and I were contemplating how we would be able to reach indigenous peoples and we thought that what was prevalent at that time was a misconception among, within the church of God's presence here in the islands.  The misconceptions that, as was expressed earlier, was that God didn't arrive until the missionaries arrived.  You know, and so when we started to look at this we started to look into our culture and see what things within our culture what God had originally intended for this particular group of people, Hawaiians. (Leon Siu, Word To The World, show #544)

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/lehmann.html
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/lehmann2.html

Here's YWAM Native Ministries site that is linked from the Twiss/Wiconi site.  Read this statement about Christ and Culture:

Christ & Culture

The question whether a culture can be "redeemed" for God’s purposes is a controversial, yet very important one to seek an answer to. As David Hesselgrave & Edward Rommen write: "There are two dangers in approaching the task of contextualization*)

(1) The fear of irrelevance if contextualization is not attempted,
(2) and the fear of compromise and syncretism if it is taken too far.

There is a need to use existing cultural forms that can be baptized and pressed into the service of Christ if the Gospel is not denied in the process. Unless this is done it is likely that only the surface layers of a culture will be changed. But since by definition contextualization appropriates indigenous linguistic and cultural forms, it always risks cultural and religious syncretism. The only viable choice in the face of these two dangers is a contextualization that is true to both indigenous culture and the authority of scripture." In many ways, the challenges faced here are the same that we see in Acts 10. It took the Lord some serious convincing until Peter saw that God does not show favoritism to any people group, ethnic or cultural background, or nation of origin, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10:35) http://web.camasnet.com/~ywamkam/culture.htm

The problem is that the teachings of the Bible, especially with respect to getting away from demonic worship, are all but being ignored by YWAM and this movement!  Let's never forget the lessons of the golden calf or the children of Israel going up to the high places to ostensibly "worship the Lord".  Let us not forget that Paul called even the culture of Israel "rubbish" compared to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  Yet the high places are being used again, and the golden calf of today is the glorification of culture above the Word of God.

(2) They teach that the gods being worshipped in cultures were really the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and deities are renamed accordingly.

See #5.

Kikawa makes up an elaborate mythology about Hawaiian culture claiming that Hawaiians already were worshipping God in the form of the bird god “Io” long before missionaries arrived (pg. 18, pp. 2). He claims that the Polynesian people were descended from Israel (pg. 62) that they can trace their genealogies back to Noah (pg. 72-73) and that they knew the gospel because it was written in the stars (pg. 55). (Arnold Fructenbaum review of Kikawa's "Perpetuated In Righteousness",  http://www.letusreason.org/current4%20.htm)

Here's proof of Leon Siu participating in praying and celebrating "Io" as Jehovah.

As we stood at the edge of Hale-ma'uma'u Crater, singing praises to 'Io (Jehovah/Savior), thoughts of what took place 171 years earlier on that very ground, were on the minds of all who came. Included in our present celebration were prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for Hawaii. In 1824 Chiefess Kapiolani (not to be confused with Queen Kapiolani) made that same trek from Kona to the volcano - by foot. It took her two months. Many had tried to convince her not to go. But she felt compelled by God, as if on a divine mission. This true Hawaiian story is not unlike Elijah and his confrontation with Baal, described in 1 Kings 18. After this event at Kilauea, many Hawaiians - including Kahunas (ancient Hawaiian priests) of Pele, believed in Jesus, as the Christ - 'Io. {See article on the Hula, this issue}. Included in our present celebration were prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for Hawaii. There was also special music by Leon Siu and friends, and hulas by young Hawaiian Christians, telling of the historical event. As the crowd disbursed joyfully about three hours later, there was a strong sense of having participated in a very significant event in Hawaii's spiritual history. I'm soooo glad I went!! Later in the day the celebration continued at "The Gathering Place" (Hilo New Hope).  'Io - Jehovah God- is indeed alive and well in Hawaii nei. (http://across.co.nz/articles.'Io.html)

Notice Twiss and YWAM were at the following conferences, along with Kenneth Copeland and other false teachers:

http://www.brokenwalls.com/archives_2000.html

Danny Lehmann had Richard Twiss, Leon Siu and Terry LeBlanc on his Word To The World radio program who are involved in the First Nations events.  This is one of their reports.  Notice that Richard Twiss was involved and look at the opening invocation.

http://www.injesus.com/Groups/ViewMessage.cfm?MessageId=YA006JT4&GroupID=SA006ILX&UCD=hjn

In case you can't bring up this page (I had trouble) here is what the opening said:

May the Father, Adadoda, who is the Creator, Adanehilahusgi, and His Son, Tsisa, bless you with perfect peace and favor by the power of the Holy Spirit, Yohewa (Great Spirit).

(3) They teach the spiritual warfare techniques of John Dawson, C. Peter Wagner and other Third Wavers to rid cities and nations of demonic influence, then people will automatically come to God.

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/dawson/

On Saturday, August 7th, there will be a historic intercessory prayer gathering convened in Bend, Oregon on Mt. Bachelor. It will be a time for people of the Northwest to pray for twelve hours, simply for the Father's heart to be released for the healing of the land and spiritual renewal. I have been asked to lead the first hour of prayer along with a team of First Nations believers from NW tribes. We will have a big drum, some dancers, and tribal elders/leaders who will lead this hour of prayer and worship. As the Holy Spirit leads, we may repent for the sins of our fathers, our unforgiveness, judgment and bitterness, pray for the release of ancient curses and pray a blessing over the land as the Host Nations. Several thousand people are gathering. Please join us in prayer for "the Kingdom to come and His will be done" in the Pacific Northwest as "it is in heaven." (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports Richard Twiss, July 20, 2004)

There will be traditional First Nations style drumming and dance as part of the worship time geared toward a prophetic impartation of release and liberty in Christ. Terry & Darlene Wildman (RainSong) from the Hopi Reservation in Arizona, Cheryl Bear-Barnetson and her team, and the Albany Vineyard band will be leading worship. Rita Bear-Gray (Cree Nation) will lead times of prayer and intercession. This will be a time to see the release of the "One New Person" made possible in Christ, between the Host People of the land, and later immigrant people in North America.  It will be a radical worship time for all tribes and nations, in the spirit of what John saw in Revelation 7:9, as people from all tribes, tongues and nations gathered around God's throne united in worship to Jesus. (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports Richard Twiss, June 16, 2004)

(4) They teach that God can be worshipped using cultural methods heretofore used to worship other gods.

Twiss travels all over the world teaching people to "dance their prayers".

Everything is in place for our big Dancing Our Prayers Switzerland Tour. (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports
Richard Twiss, July 20, 2004)

Peru – Our national Dancing Our Prayers Peruvian tour was unprecedented! In twenty days our team of eighteen traveled to thirteen cities and jungle towns holding 70 outreaches in large stadium, auditoriums, public parks, churches, and city plazas. More than thirty thousand people heard the gospel with 1370 making commitments to Jesus Christ. I have never experienced the Father’s favor and blessing like this ever! However, after all expenses were totaled, several unexpected bills arrived and expected income didn’t materialize, so that, we are carrying a $5200 debt from the trip into 2004. Your gifts will be greatly appreciated. (Smoke Signals - Cool Stories and Encouraging Reports from 2003, Richard Twiss, Dec 16, 2003)

In light of mid-East political unrest, I am excited about my trip to dance with Jonathon Maracle at an international music festival in Cairo, Egypt. We leave May 25th and return the 31st. A special stage is being erected near the Great Pyramids to host the various groups. It will be televised globally. The majority of my expenses are being covered. However, I still need to raise $500.00 toward the trip. Any gifts would be a blessing. As we go in the grace, beauty and anointing of our cultural identity as a First Nations representation of Christ and the Kingdom, please pray for grace, protection and peace for our team. (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports Richard Twiss, April 28, 2004)

My good friend, Ray Aldred, Cree, asked me to speak at his conference and dance in their pow-wow. Ray is the National Director of the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada, the Native expression of the Christian &
Missionary Alliance Denomination in Canada. David Bird, Cree, is the pastor of the Regina First Nations Alliance Church. His cousin is the Chief of the Peepeekisis Reserve. After years of being invited to church meetings and witnessed to, the pow-wow was the first Christian event the chief ever agreed to attend. He was very touched by the Holy Spirit through what occurred, as were all the non-believers who attended. These folks would never attend a “church” service but came to drum and dance and heard a very clear message of faith and hope in Jesus Christ as Lord and Creator. (Smoke Signals - Cool Stories and Encouraging Reports from 2003, Richard Twiss, Dec 16, 2003)

For the information of the reader, the word "pow-wow" is defined this way in Websters Dictionary:

Etymology: Narraganset powwaw or Massachuset pauwau 1 : an American Indian medicine man 2 a : an American Indian ceremony (as for victory in war) b : an American Indian social gathering or fair usually including competitive dancing 3 a : a social get-together b : a meeting for discussion.

So I guess the above "pow-wow" would have to be described as definition 3 or possibly 2.  Notice definition 1!.

This next explanation of the actual meaning of the word is even clearer:

Word History: Because trances were so important to the Native American shaman as a means of getting in touch with spiritual forces beyond the ken of the normal person, the title powwaw, literally meaning “one who has visions,” was accorded him. An occurrence of this word in an early piece of propaganda designed to bring more settlers to New England represents fairly well the Puritan attitudes to the religion of the native inhabitants of the New World: “The office and dutie of the Powah is to be exercised principally in calling upon the Devil; and curing diseases of the sicke or wounded.” The word whose spelling was eventually settled in English as powwow was also used as the name for ceremonies and councils, probably because of the important role played by the shaman in both. Eventually the newcomers decided that they could have powwows too, the first reference to one of these being recorded in the Salem, Massachusetts, Gazette of 1812: “The Warriors of the Democratic Tribe will hold a powwow at Agawam on Tuesday next.” The verb powwow, “to confer,” was recorded even earlier, in 1780. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.)

(5) Richard Twiss worships the Great Spirit, calling Him the Holy Spirit.

Richard Twiss was on the 700 Club show with Gordon Robertson (Pat Robertson’s son) recently and in an interview he told Gordon that the Great Spirit of the Indians is the same as the Holy Spirit. Robertson heartily agreed. The problem with this idea is that the Great Spirit has no son, and without the son there is no redemption. The Great Spirit required human sacrifices and other atrocities. (http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/lehmann2.html)

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/twissquotes.html

Eagles Wings is the ministry of pastor and author Randy Woodley and his wife Edith. Both Native Americans, their
mission is "to present the Great Spirit's Son, Jesus Christ and His Words, the Bible to Native Americans in culturally relevant ways." (Link from Wiconi site)

Twiss is touted for having "worked with International Bible Society [and] Promise Keepers...[and] is a consultant on racial reconciliation for Promise Keepers." It is also stated that "Promise Keepers asked Christian Native American men to host the 'Standing In The Gap' gathering in Washington [D.C.] on October 4." Those who watched the event noted participation by a Native American in full headdress (an Indian war bonnet). Wearing the eagle feathers has a pagan and anti-Christian religious (not just cultural) meaning. Joseph Epes Brown, biographer of Sioux medicineman Black Elk, explains:  The Indian actually identifies himself with, or becomes, the quality or principle of the being or thing which comes to him in a vision, whether it be a beast, bird, one of the elements, or really any aspect of creation. In order that this "power" may never leave him, he always carries with him some material form representing the animal or object from which he has received his "power".... In wearing the eagle-feathered "war bonnet," the wearer actually becomes the eagle, which is to say that he identifieshimself, his real Self, with WakanTanka[the Great spirit which Wanbli Galeshka (the Spotted Eagle) represents].(Joseph Epes Brown, The Sacred Pipe. Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (University ofOklahoma Press, 1989), 7,45).

(Native American Gospel? Q&A - Berean Call - January, 1998, http://a-voice.org/discern/native.htm )

Wiconi endorses Eagles Wings who claims the Great Spirit's son is Jesus Christ.

Eagles Wings is the ministry of pastor and author Randy Woodley and his wife Edith. Both Native Americans, their mission is "to present the Great Spirit's Son, Jesus Christ and His Words, the Bible to Native Americans in culturally relevant ways." (http://www.ethnicharvest.org/peoples/nativeamer.htm)

Yet the historical facts are that the Great Spirit is panentheistic!

Religious beliefs varied between tribes, but there was a widespread belief in a Great Spirit who created the earth, and who pervaded everything. This was a panentheist rather than a pantheist belief. But the pantheistic tone was far stronger than among Christians, and more akin to the pantheism of William Wordsworth. It was linked to an animism which saw kindred spirits in all animals and plants. (http://members.aol.com/pantheism0/indians.htm)

The Lakota concept of Wakan Tanka (most frequently translated as Great Spirit) illustrates panentheism well: Wakan Tanka is the Spirit over, under, and throughout all of the physical world, its guiding principle, present in individual phenomena yet not confined to it, not strictly singular nor plural, neither truly personal nor impersonal. Manitou/manitos of the Algonkians is a similar concept. (http://www.stormwind.com/common/nadoc.html)

Note: Richard Twiss is a Lakota Indian!

The Great Spirit required human sacrifice/suicide to lift a sickness he had sent.

“I am a very old man, my friends.  I have lived through many summers and through many snows.   Now I will tell you why I have lived so long.  My father, who was also a great Medicine Man, told me that when I became old, the Great Spirit would send a sickness upon our people.  All would die, unless a sacrifice was made to the Great Spirit.  An innocent maiden of the tribe, the daughter of a chief, must willingly go to the high cliffs above the Big River and throw herself upon the rocks below.  If she does this, the sickness will end.”

Not a word was spoken until the old man slowly sat down.  At last, the chief lifted his head and said, “Call all of the young maidens, who are daughters of chiefs.”  Soon all of the young maidens stood before the chief, including his own daughter.  The chief told them all that the old man had said.  “I think his words are the words of truth,” he added.  He then turned to his elders and said, “Tell our people to meet death bravely.  No maiden will be asked to sacrifice herself.   This meeting has ended.”

The next day Morning Sun saw the sickness on the face of her lover.  Now she knew what she had to do.  Without telling anyone, she followed the trail to the high cliffs above the Big River.  When she arrived there above the jagged rocks, she turned her eyes upward, lifted up her arms and spoke to the Great Spirit, “If you will accept me as a sacrifice for my people, let some token hang in the sky.”  Just then, the moon rose above the trees across the river.  It was the token.  She closed her eyes and jumped.  Soon afterwards, the sickness left her people.  (The Great Circle of Life,  Copyright 2001 - 2003.    All rights reserved by Roger Kayser, http://www.zeeone.com/Readings/Wedding/wedding.htm)

As I have set down, they worshiped Toya, or the sun, which they claimed represented the Great Spirit. Every morning as the sun rose they would stretch out their hands in adoration and chant a hymn of praise; and also when the sun was at its highest gave they gave this salutation; as evening drew on most of the tribe would gather near the sacrificial mound. Just as the sun was about to set, their jauva would slay an animal and place its beating heart upon the altar and all would chant a prayer beseeching that Toya would return to give his light. When the sacrifice was a human heart only the warriors drew near unto the altar. After our companions had been sacrificed they brought in no more captives of our race, but did sacrifice warriors captured from other tribes. (CHASCO HISTORY  Written by then, postmaster Gerben M. DeVries in 1922 the pagent script, has been changed throughout the years - but still remains belittling and offensive., This translation from the original manuscript is dedicated to the Avery Library and Historical Society of New Port Richey, and published for the information of those who dwell in the West Coast section of Florida., By Gerben M. DeVries, New Port Richey, Fla. March.1922, http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aimfl/script.html)

But among some tribes north of the Rio Grande, human sacrifices did exist. Evidence exists that the Pawnee (in what is now Nebraska) occasionally sacrificed someone. The Iroquois are said to have occasionally sent a maiden and white dog to the Great Spirit. And human sacrifice and cannibalism are believed to have existed among people along the coast between Louisiana, Florida and up the coast to Virginia, where people experienced the wrath of the gods more frequently in the form of extremely violent storms than did people in other parts of the country. (THE AMERICAS, edited 9/20/2004, Copyright © 2000 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved., http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h16-am.htm)

The Great Spirit required blood rituals.

The Sun Dance

Each year, the summer sees another type of blood sacrifice; the Lakota Sioux and other natives of this continent spill their blood onto the earth in one of their most powerful rituals, the Sun Dance. In this controversial ritual, the participants pierce holes into the skin on their chests, thread large hooks made of antler or wood through the holes and hang themselves from a sacred tree until either they rip the skin through and fall or until they pass out. Through offering their own blood, they are able to achieve an ecstatic state, making a connection with the Great Spirit and giving back to the earth something that is truly of their body. This ritual was outlawed but still survives today as an Indian-only event, within the larger Sun Dance festival attended by thousands. (Sacrifice Today, In the Andes - And Closer by Wendy Davis, Copyright © 2004 by the article's author, http://www.widdershins.org/vol1iss3/l04.htm)

Richard Twiss is a Lakota/Sioux Indian.

In summary: Richard Twiss is spreading the doctrines of the New Apostolic Reformation and is endorsed by them.  He claims that the Great Spirit of the Indians is the Holy Spirit of the Bible, and endorses ministries who make this same claim.  He endorses and promoted books by people like Daniel Kikawa that present information as fact when it is proven myth.  He continues to teach that the Great Spirit is the Holy Spirit by wearing the cultural items associated with the Great Spirit, even though it is a historical fact that the Great Spirit is a pantheistic god that required blood rituals and human sacrifice.  Richard Twiss claims that what he is doing is not syncretism, when it is the very definition of syncretism.

(6) Twiss is linked to the New Apostolic Reformation.

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/twissquotes.html

Twiss is supporting the New Apostolic Reformation in attending Asbury.

Wiconi International's President Richard Twiss has recently embarked on an educational journey at Asbury Theological Seminary pursuing a doctorate. He says that "one of my great hopes in this endeavor is to blend the balanced perspectives from various "apostolic" streams...to produce new understandings and models of Kingdom living that effectively advance Christ's work among us, especially as it applies to our Indigenous communities around the world!  "There is no doubt in my mind," says Twiss, "that we are living in a pre-determined time in the Father's purposes! Our generation is witnessing massive global change, emerging new paradigms of church life, a deepening dissatisfaction with the status quo...." (Wednesday, September 15, 2004, LAST CALL FOR NATIVE AMERICAN SYMPOSIUM, By Jim Uttley, Special to ASSIST News Service, http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04090089.htm)

Here are the links to the NAR ministries on the Wiconi site.

Over the past ten years God has done a quick work and numerous First Nations ministry organizations have sprung up.

brokenwalls.com
cbccts.sk.ca/fnacc
eagleswingsministry.com
indianlife.org
firstnationsmonday.com
windwalkers.com/
wcgiphawaii.org
charismamag.com
nnym.net/sites/mikehendricks
missioncarolina.org/cpi.html
firstnationsmonday.com/
polished-arrow.htm
narnministries.org/index.html
home.navigators.org/us/
tribeofchrist.com
www.naim.ca
lamp-us.org/index.html
agapelane.org
rainministries.com
regalbooks.com
ywamfirstnations.org/
www.jerusalemcenter.us  Kenny Blacksmith
www.gatheringnations.org
Other include:
Wisconsin, New Mexico, Urbana 2002, Don Richardson, and Gordon Thayer

(http://www.wiconi.com/links/index.htm)

Here are the NAR Endorsers of Wiconi (http://www.wiconi.com/intro/endorsers.htm)

Dr. C. Peter Wagner
President Global Harvest Ministries
"Richard, Congratulations! God is using you in a remarkable way as a leader who is hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

Francis Frangipane
Advancing Church Ministries
"Besides being my personal friend, as an anointed Lakota/Sioux Indian, Richard Twiss is a man raised up "for such a time as this". Richard carries in his soul God's heart for North America's Native Peoples. He is one of those gifted individuals who sees past the illusion of traditions, past deceptions that have kept Christians divided. I not only endorse Wiconi International, Richard's ministry arm, I pray that God will raise up thousands of disciples who, like Richard, follow Jesus into the healing of the nations."

Dr. Charles H. Kraft, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology
School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
Now, after many years of cultural domination by well-meaning but culturally insensitive missionaries and those they have trained, some within the Native American community are beginning to see that Native American culture, like First Century Gentile culture, can be used by God. Richard Twiss and Wiconi International is one of these. We have usually required our converts to adopt some version of our cultural expression of Christianity as if that were endorsed by God. We often failed to see that God wants to be understood and responded to by each cultural group in terms that are most meaningful to them, in terms of the only way of life that really makes sense to them. We have often made the mistake of seeing the culture of our converts as the enemy rather than the real enemy, Satan, as the one to oppose by working against him both in their culture and ours. "The Native American community has waited too long to hear the message of Jesus Christ in a culturally appropriate, acceptance-possible form. Following Paul's (and Jesus') example, Wiconi International seeks to present the Gospel as relevantly and attractively as possible to a neglected people group who for too long have been required to abandon their own way of life to become Christians. I have known Richard Twiss for several years now and I heartily endorse the motives and aims of Wiconi International and count it a privilege to be a supporter."

The culture of the Lakota Indians sees God as the panentheistic Great Spirit.  Is this how God "wants of be understood"?

Rev. Terry LeBlanc, Mi'kmaq/Acadian
Nations Manager, Aboriginal Programs, World Vision Canada
"...I believe the approach of Wiconi will be absolutely essential in the days ahead for successful ministry to the First Nations of North America. You have my heartfelt and full support."

Don Richardson - Author, Peace Child, Eternity in Their Hearts…
President, Don Richardson Ministries
Richard Twiss, a Lakota Native American in a predominantly Anglo America, reminds me of Joseph, long ago leader of a Hebrew community in ancient Egypt. To be sure, Egyptians gave Joseph dire cause to feel cynical about Egyptians. But Joseph, rising above cynicism, blessed an undeserving nation, a nation that initially enslaved him. Native people across North America have at least as much basis for cynicism about us as Joseph had for Egyptians. Richard Twiss, like a modern Joseph, is calling Christian Native people to rise above cynicism and fulfill a Joseph-like destiny in today's strife-riven world. Richard is one of a new group of articulate Native Christian leaders. I urge pastors to invite Richard and other spokespersons he lists as speakers in church conferences. It is my hope that Christians everywhere will pray for these new leaders. Their message is like a healing balm for the many racist wounds inflicted over time.

Jeffrey P. Bjorck, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
I am privileged to endorse Richard & Katherine Twiss, co-founders of Wiconi International. I have known them since 1996 and have grown in my appreciation for their deep desire to reach Native Americans with the message of salvation and reconciliation. Some Christians might raise concerns about a ministry that seeks to embrace the Native American culture, given that aspects of these cultures are often intertwined with pagan theology. In response, let me state my confidence in Richard and Katherine's firm commitment to embrace only those facets of Native American culture, which do not violate their higher commitment to Biblical orthodoxy. As a clinical psychologist, I am very aware of the painful human dynamics inherent in cultural clashes between majority and minority groups. Furthermore, I know the importance of recognizing that individuals are shaped to some extent by cultural heritage. Thus, I am particularly glad that Wiconi International will focus its ministry on facilitating the healing of wounds related the cultural despotism of the majority. Specifically, I heartily endorse the Wiconi vision of incorporating Native-American strategies for learning and training, rather the merely forcing Native-American content into a Western academic model. In order to prepare persons for ministry, it is essential to train them in methods and concepts directly applicable to those for whom the ministry is intended. I believe Wiconi International is doing just that.

Here are the NAR Endorsers of "One Nation, Many Tribes" by Richard Twiss. (http://wiconiresources.safeshopper.com/2/3.htm?571)

Published by Regal Books. Forward by John Dawson. Richard Twiss shows how by understanding the history and worldview perspectives of North America's “host people” the church will discover some invaluable insights and needed Biblical principles for unity in the Body of Christ.

Tommy Tenney - One Church, Many Tribes is not merely a book about Native Americans. It is about God's heart for Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. I heartily recommend it.

Bill Bright - An outstanding book that will bring compassion and reconciliation between diverse peoples created in the image of God and for whom Christ died. Highly recommended.

Dr. Jerry Yellowhawk - Richard Twiss's vision and committment to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through innovative methods that do not comdemn the cultures of Native people makes my heart glad.

Wiconi sells the George Otis, Jr./NAR Transformations videos.
(http://wiconiresources.safeshopper.com/6/cat6.htm?571)

The NAR also endorses Eagle's Wings.

Author John Dawson, Healing America's Wounds, has described Randy as "one of the most trusted, wise and fruitful Native American leaders of our generation" and notes "Randy can be trusted because his biblical foundations are solid."

Says Richard Twiss of Wiconi Ministries and author of One Church Many Tribes, "Randy is a courageous Native leader who, like the Apostle Paul, is fully committed to helping people find a loving relationship with Jesus Christ…Randy is a frontrunner in First Nations Ministry who has fearlessly begun developing evangelistic and discipleship models, that are thoroughly biblically based, yet radically culturally Native. As a result he has seen much fruit in the lives of Native believers…I am honored to consider Randy a friend, co-laborer in the Kingdom, and Native brother in Christ and recommend his vision for Eagle's Wings Ministry as one worth supporting."

Author and speaker Winkie Pratney shares "Some years ago a Native American friend of mine with a deep heart for his people had a vivid vision. In it he saw a traditional warrior on a horse silhouetted against a sun low on the horizon. In alarm he asked; 'What does this mean God? Is this the sunset of my people?' 'No' God spoke to his heart, 'it is the sunrise.' Eagle's Wings Ministry is one of the new and creative ways to touch a loved and special people group that are long overdue for a healing visitation of God. Randy and Edith Woodley are walking the old paths with a new Eagle feather from the Eternal Elder. We need their special kind of ministry today as God is calling back all His lost and landless children from around the world."

Gene Brooks, Chairman of Mission Carolina states, "Theoreticians usually croon from an ivory tower somewhere. They talk about the work that is needed. Practitioners grunt and sweat down with the common people. They do real work. Theoreticians are a dime a dozen. Practitioners are like refined gold. Randy Woodley is a practitioner. (http://www.eagleswingsministry.com/endorsements/)

(7) Twiss endorses Daniel Kikawa materials.

Wiconi promotes "The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game" by Daniel Kikawa (http://wiconiresources.safeshopper.com/2/15.htm?571)

The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game by Daniel Kikawa

Daniel Kikawa has written an outstanding cross-cultural educational tool. He gives case studies of hypothetical events in the life of a cross-cultural worker in a tribal setting. You are put in their place and asked what you would do it in their predicament. By doing this you are challenged to examine why you believe what you believe in light of God’s Word and cultural worldview. The principles revealed here are equally helpful in the Native North American context. This is highly recommended by church leaders like John Dawson, Don Richardson, and Lynda Prince.

(8) They teach that the Gospel was a source of division and stumbling for First Nation's peoples and this is blamed on Western missionaries.

One major wound in the land that negatively impacts the "character" of the American church lies in the fact that the message of Jesus has been so inextricably identified as "Euro-American." Because of this fact, the gospel message has been the cause of great shame, oppression, and in many cases, genocide among the Host People of the land. Because of past atrocities, regions have been condemned by the spilt blood upon the land that continues to cry out for justice; the Pacific Northwest being no exception. (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports Richard Twiss, June 16, 2004)

“Indigenous peoples have perpetually been put in the position of the mission field never fully recognized as been given gifts and callings and anointings to be coequal partners …” (Richard Twiss, Word To The World, show #541)

Next week my son Daniel is joining me on a trip to New York (his 16th birthday) where I am the keynote speaker at the "Healing the Land" Conference hosted by Pastor Peter Bruno of Metro Church. Pastor Bruno writes, "I really felt on my heart to reach out to pastors & intercessors from our region to invite them personally to this important conference. The problem with our land is that throughout the history of Christianity, the message of Jesus has been delivered (at times) with deadly force & hatred instead of in love and mercy. Because of past atrocities, regions have been condemned by the spilt blood upon the land that continues to cry out for justice. For our NYC/NJ region to come into it's fulfillment of God's vision, we must cleanse the past and partner into the future. I believe that God is calling His church to build bridges to see Native people come to faith & life in Jesus Christ and fulfill their God-given place within the Body of Christ. This conference will help bring these truths to light as well as help us to befriend, partner with and build bridges to our Native brothers & sisters. (Smoke Signals - Prayer Need and Reports Richard Twiss, May 7, 2004)

Aldred [Cree Nation] is the Director of the First Nations Alliance of Churches, and was the first Native American person to address an Urbana convention in its 57-year history. ... Aldred applied this culture-challenging aspect of the gospel in a powerful challenge to the western Church: "Western Christianity is syncretistic...It is a religion motivated about sharing the gospel story with people, not so they become who God has made them to be, but to make them like me so I can love them." Aldred said that much of the western missionary effort has been characterized by an attempt to assimilate people into its own mold, which is why the western church has so many fights over music and forms of worship. It has reduced the gospel to a technical presentation of facts separated off from the real life of the witness and the mysterious power of God. Western Christianity has separated the public and private realms, and banished Jesus' relevance to the personal and private world of piety, ignoring social and relational aspects of God's Kingdom. In actual practice it trusts more in its own wealth, knowledge, and power than in God's holy word. It is intellectualized rather than holistic and integrated in the whole human person. Aldred boldly announced these ways that the gospel of Jesus continues to call the western church to radical conversion from the culture of modernity to the Kingdom of God. (GOD MOVED IN POWER! Urbana Report #1, Richard Twiss, Jan 9, 2004)

This is how you confuse the issue.  You turn the issue of syncretism around and blame it on the missionaries.  It is true the some misguided missionaries, though clearly not the majority, tried to change indigenous cultural values to Western ones.  But he ignores the many missionaries who, in presenting the Gospel and sound doctrine, necessarily preached things that were in opposition to demonic cultures like that of the Indians.  The missionaries were faced with heathen cultures, not unlike their own, and attempted to apply biblical principles in cooperation with those in First Nations to come up with a way of living in accordance to the Word of God (which is what ALL CHRISTIANS must abide by!).  Mistakes were made, but if you talked to the first generation of converts (like I had the privilege of doing long ago in Micronesia) you would understand fully what First Nation's cultures were like at the time.  Sexual perversion, women and child abuse, murder, ruling elite who lorded it over everyone else, worship of demons, and other atrocities were commonplace.  Read A New Culture by Juanita Simpson.  Those who heard the Gospel preached to them and recognized the freedom in Christ offered were saved and delivered from the things in their cultures that were evil and immediately wanted to make a statement about the difference God had made in their lives.  Can we then blame them, in retrospect, for putting on clothes, stopping cultural activities that were tied to the demonic, and no longer being involved in sexual immorality, abuse, perversion, murder and the occult?  People like Kikawa and others are trying to rewrite history when they clearly have not done their research.  They have little understanding of what their formerly (and in fact currently) pagan cultures were like before the missionaries came and sacrificed their lives, in many cases, to bring the Good News.  They were not sent to bring culture nor was that their purpose. They were primarily bringing God's culture, the Bible, and applying its time-tested truths, together with First Nations peoples, so that they might be light and salt to the nations.  That historical mission work is now being demonized by these people in order to make way for the unbiblical ideas of the "First Nations" movement is a clear indication that its whole premise is "out to lunch".

(9) They teach that the Bible is no longer our sole source of truth, nor are we to be tied down by doctrines taught in the Bible.

We are constantly growing, maturing and consequently changing in our perceptions and conclusions. How do we avoid getting stuck in our conclusions? Or harder yet, when we've grown so accustomed to the perceived "normalcy" or "correctness" of our beliefs, how do we get unstuck when we realize what we believed is no longer as true and right as we once believed? How can we change without "losing face?" We must create paths to change for one another that are highlighted by honor, respect and the love of Christ. (Smoke Signals "Views From the Hill" - New E-mail commentaries Richard Twiss, Apr 5, 2004)