Krista Landaas
I grew up knowing about the love and hope of Jesus. I was lovingly taught by family and friends that God had a plan and purpose for my life. God also used visiting missionaries to open my eyes to the needs of children around the world. Then, in 2012, I visited a Native American reservation for the first time. I instantly encountered a spirit of hopelessness and despair.
Many Native American children and teens have no one to speak God’s truth and hope into their lives. Native American reservations have a preteen and teenage suicide rate that is three times higher than the rest of the United States! They need the truth and hope found only in Christ. God put a love and burden on my heart for them. He has called me to speak His truth and love to these children, guide them into a saving knowledge of him, and build them into faithful disciples.
We share God’s truth and hope through many activities that open doors to share our faith with, disciple, and mentor our children and teens. God has opened great doors for ministry to the Native Americans that I serve:
- Sharing the Word of God in after-school Bible clubs
- Opening creativity and exploring talents through music lessons
- Encouraging and supporting teachers through volunteering in the local school district
- Creating a worship culture through worship leading
- Building strong foundations through Bible study
- Cultivating impactful relationships through mentoring