YATAHEY, NEW MEXICO (ANS) -- Landoll Benally, pastor of Calvary Chapel Yatahey, may be the only pastor in the Calvary Chapel movement who teaches through the Bible in both English and Navajo.

Pastor Landoll Benally and his wife, Angie, on the Navajo Reservation

Meeting weekly at his home fellowship, Landoll Benally takes his congregation through the biblical text, first giving the teaching in English and then translating his teaching in Navajo for the elders to understand.

Landoll is a graduate of Calvary of Albuquerque’s School of Ministry, a school set up to train ministry leaders, pastors, and missionaries.

Upon his graduation, Landoll had only one place on his mind that he wanted to minister: back home.

“I have always felt called to my own people, the Navajo. I was born on the reservation. I was raised in a Hogan—speaking Navajo. I love my culture and the land. I have always wanted to reach out with God’s love to the people I love,” Landoll stated.

After graduation (driving over four hours daily to get to school), he began the Bible study at his home, using Calvary Chapel of Gallup as his home base.

Navajo elder with her new coat

Beyond his weekly teaching, Landoll, his wife Angie, and their three children, also serve the community in practical outreaches.

Landoll has sponsored two woodcutting ministry opportunities for Calvary churches. More recently, he assisted families in the Mexican Hat area with clothing and shelter needs.

“Calvary of Albuquerque received a phone call,” Landoll said, “Stating that a group of families in the Mexican Hat area were stranded due to the weather. The children were wrapping their feet in Saran wrap, and the elders didn’t have any coats. Les Palmer [a chaplain] from Calvary of Albuquerque called me and we set up a clothing drive.”

“I was able to pick up the clothes collected at Calvary of Albuquerque and deliver them to the families. It was a blessing to serve these people in need.”

The Navajo reservation has been hit hard with weather this year. On February 12, 2010, Governor Bill Richardson declared the Western Region of the Navajo reservation a disaster area. Many families and individuals were stuck in mounds of mud and deep snow. Some died of overexposure.
Landoll and his church have been quick to assist where they can, providing coal, wood, and clothes in conjunction with Calvary of Albuquerque.

Navajo elder with his new sleeping bag

According to Mark Chavez, one of the men from Calvary of Albuquerque’s ministry team, “It is a hard life for the Navajos on the reservation. When we went out it was very muddy and snowy, difficult to get around, and very cold. At the reservation we bought bags totaling 3600 pounds of coal, delivering them to various families. Then we split mauls of wood, bringing those to needy families.”

Even in difficult times, Landoll’s resolve to minister is unchanged. “We love to help in both practical and spiritual matters,” he stated, “Not just talking about the Gospel—which we do—but living the Gospel.”

Landoll’s wife, Angie, agreed. She said, “It is a great blessing for us to witness the Lord supplying the needs of these families. We are really excited to be a part of His plan.”

To find out how you can help with the Navajo Nation and Calvary Chapel of Yatahey, contact Global Adventures at http://www.globaladventures.org/ or Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship at http://www.ccofministry.org/.

Brian Nixon is a writer, musician, minister, and family man. You may contact him at www.briannixon.com