Connecting with Tribes, Pueblos, and Reservations through Recovery
What started as a simple road trip became one of the most powerful spiritual journeys of my life. Over the course of several weeks, I traveled through Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, sharing my testimony at Celebrate Recovery meetings and churches across the Southwest. God moved in incredible ways, and I witnessed transformations I’ll never forget.
The Journey Begins
Day 1 found me driving to Kingman, Arizona – just the open road and anticipation for what lay ahead.
Day 2 brought me to Gallup, New Mexico, where I reconnected with Mark Matheson. We shared dinner with Mark and Steve “the Believer” Sage, and I could already feel this trip was going to be special.
Finding Home in Fruitland
Day 3 marked my arrival in Fruitland, New Mexico, where Derek and Ginger Sanders opened their home to me. As ministry leaders for Celebrate Recovery Ship Rock, their hospitality became an anchor point throughout my journey. That evening, a woman from Colorado shared her powerful testimony at their CR meeting.
Day 4 took me to Rock Springs Community Church in Cortez, Colorado. I shared my testimony and connected with their ministry leader and CR community – they are by the Ute reservation.
Expanding the Circle
Day 7 brought me to Ignacio Community Church, right off the Ute reservation. Members of the Shiprock, New Mexico, Celebrate Recovery traveled with me to meet with them.
Day 9 was a blessing. We hosted a big dinner at Derek and Ginger’s, inviting Celebrate Recovery folks along with Arcenio Charleston, his wife, and two of their kids. We made lasagna, homemade garlic bread, and salad with my special dressing (garlic, mayo, Bragg’s amino acids, and Bragg’s apple cider vinegar – trust me, it’s amazing). The laughter that filled that room was a blessing I won’t soon forget. Arcenio is the Navajo young man who first invited us to the behavioral health center to teach Celebrate Recovery over 10 years ago.
Zuni Pueblo and New Beginnings
Day 10 we drove to Zuni Pueblo where Kevin shared his testimony for the very first time. I spent Friday through Sunday with Pastor Tim Eisenga, his wife Chelsea, and their four kids. We attended church on Sunday, and I cooked dinner for them Saturday night. Witnessing Kevin step into his calling was incredible.
Albuquerque: Where the Spirit Moved Powerfully
On November 26, I arrived in Albuquerque and stayed with Bishop and Nora Anaya for over a week. Bishop serves as CR ministry leader for Albuquerque CR and as chaplain for the Bandidos motorcycle group. Nora is from the Zia Pueblo – one of 19 different Pueblos in New Mexico.
I shared my testimony three times in Albuquerque, and the Holy Spirit showed up in undeniable ways. The Friday night service at Eastgate Church was particularly powerful and moving. Afterward, Pastor Jon Wheeler introduced himself and asked me to lead the entire Sunday service – overwhelming at first, but ultimately a major blessing. They recorded it for their church’s YouTube site. Bishop and Nora also recorded my testimony for their website.
Nora took me to the Zia Pueblo, where I met her grandmother, brothers, mom, and niece over dinner. We explored an amazing place called “the tunnels” and drove by several churches. At her dad’s house, while talking with him, his wife, and two of her other brothers, we discovered something remarkable: the pastor of one church we wanted to visit was Daniel Clymer – a contact already in my phone who had set up our Southern Baptist training in Albuquerque before COVID. Bishop, Nora, Daniel, and I met at Star Café. God is moving in the Pueblos.
The Mescalero Apache Reservation
On November 4, I drove to Alamogordo, New Mexico, and shared my testimony at a small CR led by Iron Heart Pinkney. The next day, Iron Heart and Jayne took me all over the Mescalero Apache reservation. We attempted to visit the church where they used to have CR, but the pastor wasn’t home.
On the way, we encountered a tragic accident scene – someone had passed away, possibly avoiding an animal or losing control. The freeway shut down for about an hour in both directions. A helicopter came but turned away, and the ambulance eventually left slowly with no lights. It was a sobering reminder of life’s fragility.
We visited the St. Joseph Mission on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. It was an amazing place.
We took the back way through the reservation to Cloudcroft, New Mexico – a spectacular, beautiful drive. The mission on the Mescalero reservation was especially moving, a place I won’t forget.
Tucson: Miracles Unfold
November 6 brought me to Family Restoration Community Church in Tucson, where I met Pastor Eli. He, his wife, and another couple from the Yaqui Indian reservation had knocked on doors, handing out flyers before my testimony. The Yaqui reservation is relatively small, with an old and a new section.
About 25 Native Americans who had never been to Celebrate Recovery showed up that night. After I shared my testimony, the pastor and his wife did an altar call. Twelve people stood up and accepted Christ as their savior. I was bawling. Some of them were, too.
November 7 brought another incredible moment. Pastor Curtis at Tucson Central Church convinced me to stay one extra night and share my testimony. It was equally powerful – about 10 people throughout the audience stood up during the altar call and accepted Christ as their savior. Pretty incredible doesn’t even cover it.
The Final Push
November 8, I woke at 5:15 AM and drove to Yuma, Arizona, for a P8 rally at the Hope Center. Kevin and I each spoke for about 10 minutes, and I participated in a panel. Though it was a blessing connecting with everyone, exhaustion was setting in hard. I knew I could make it home in just over three hours, so instead of spending the night, I headed home.
I arrived home around 4:30 PM, cleaned out my car, and made it to the 6 PM service at Saddleback Lake Forest.
Coming Home
It took four or five days to recover. First, my body was exhausted, then my mind felt like mush. This time of year doesn’t help – I really struggle with depression during the holidays.
But looking back on this journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. God opened doors I never expected. He used a simple road trip to touch lives, build connections, and remind me that His work in the Pueblos, reservations, and small towns across the Southwest is alive and powerful.
The miles were long, but the harvest was abundant.
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