Ministry Focus
The power of the Holy Spirit working within and godly advice from Christian friends led both Jerry and Maxine separately to Indian Bible College in Flagstaff, Arizona. Jerry began ministering as an intern pastor under Flagstaff Mission to the Navajos during that time. After graduation, the Yazzies worked for seven years at Black Mesa Bible Church. Then in New Mexico they ministered another seven years with Thoreau Community Bible Church, under United Indian Missions of Flagstaff. At that point they were called back to Flagstaff, and Indian Bible College, where Jerry served as an instructor and as Dean of Students for five years. Currently Jerry is a pastor working with Native Harvest, Inc. Both Jerry's and Maxine's hearts are for their native people. Many churches have been planted throughout the Navajo Reservation and many more continue to be planted. In order for these churches to continue to grow and develop, pastors and leaders need to be trained. That is where Jerry and Maxine feel God has called them, to be training and encouraging pastors and leaders, as well as equipping them to be effective in training their own people, as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to do in II Timothy 2:2.
Faith Story
Both Jerry and Maxine grew up in Christian homes and were saved at an early age.
As with most teenagers, peer pressure persuaded them both to drift from the Lord until they each realized the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Jerry and Maxine by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Specialized Ministries
Ministry location:
Arizona, United States