The Apache Mission

Abstract

In The Apache Mission, Pastor Theodore G. Bodjanac reflects on the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s century-long ministry among the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache tribes in Arizona. The essay blends historical milestones—from the arrival of early missionaries in 1893 to the challenges of the 1990s—with personal anecdotes from Bodjanac’s own service in Cibecue and Cedar Creek. He recounts cultural encounters, funeral customs, and the impact of political and religious shifts on Apache Lutheran life. The essay also highlights the dedication of pastors and teachers, the growth and closure of mission schools, and the resilience of Apache Christians amid adversity. Bodjanac emphasizes that the mission’s success was not human achievement, but the result of God’s grace working through Word and Sacrament. This heartfelt narrative serves as both a tribute and a call to continued faithfulness in proclaiming Christ among the Apache people. Generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)