THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK
For many years, Liz Obomsawin felt impressed to write a book—similar to Ellen White’s Steps to Christ—expressly for First Peoples. The book would show her people how to come to the Creator and follow His ways to Heaven, one step at a time. We say “her people” because she herself is a fourth-generation Seventh-day Adventist Abenaki First Nations member of Quebec and is also Haudenosaunee (Iroquois).
God made a way for that impression to become a reality through the printing of the small book The Moccasin Trail to Heaven—a beautifully illustrated, full-color paperback. Following a similar outline as Steps to Christ, The Moccasin Trail to Heaven takes the reader on a step-by-step journey: from coming to our Creator Jesus, turning away from a life of sin, to finding victory through the blood of Jesus Christ. Every step draws the reader closer to Heaven as they learn how to live and grow in Jesus until they finally reach the end of the trail and step into their Heavenly Home. Pacific Press Publishing Association has printed initial copies which have already been distributed with much success. A few weeks ago, Liz approached Lifestyle Canada to create a plan where this wonderful book could now be shared across Canada.
God made a way for that impression to become a reality through the printing of the small book The Moccasin Trail to Heaven—a beautifully illustrated, full-color paperback. Following a similar outline as Steps to Christ, The Moccasin Trail to Heaven takes the reader on a step-by-step journey: from coming to our Creator Jesus, turning away from a life of sin, to finding victory through the blood of Jesus Christ. Every step draws the reader closer to Heaven as they learn how to live and grow in Jesus until they finally reach the end of the trail and step into their Heavenly Home. Pacific Press Publishing Association has printed initial copies which have already been distributed with much success. A few weeks ago, Liz approached Lifestyle Canada to create a plan where this wonderful book could now be shared across Canada.
THE PRAYERFUL IMPACT
As a church, we believe that every nation, kindred, tongue and people should be reached with the everlasting gospel. The Moccasin Trail to Heaven book presents God’s word in a beautiful way that can easily be received by Indigenous Peoples. By sharing the book, we believe that seeds will be sown for a future harvest for we are told that, “More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.” – R&H, Nov. 10, 1885
God’s word still has creative power and still changes lives. We are also very thankful for the ministry of The Voice of Prophecy Canada. They have pledged to follow-up on the Bible Study interests generated from the Native New Day Bible Study card insert.
As seekers go through the Bible studies, we hope to see a few small pockets of believers across Canada that can be encouraged and connected to existing local churches closer to the bigger cities. It is good to encourage foreign missions. But we should not neglect those who are within the borders of our country – though separated by distance.
THE PLAN
There are over 1 million English-speaking First Nation people in Canada of which 30% reside on reserves. This translates to about 130,000 households, or homes that are currently on English reserves. Through the generous donation of dedicated Christians, we have printed the 130,000 copies of The Moccasin Trail to Heaven book for distribution across Canada. Endorsed by the Indigenous Reconciliation Ministries Directors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, our goal is to offer a copy of this book to every first nation home in Canada. We are also desirous to provide copies to each Friendship Centre across the nation. Friendship Centres are offices that provide support, services, and culturally relevant programs to Indigenous people living in urban areas.
“Pathway” is simply the name we are giving to the plan – seeking to align ourselves with the path that the Holy Spirit is already using to reach the heart of God’s Indigenous Children. The following plan is a suggested framework for your conference and a starting point for discussion
THE APPROACH
Each book is shrink-wrapped with a Native New Day Bible Studies offer, and a small note on the back. The transparent shrink-wrap is to protect it from the elements when being distributed, and the note can be seen through the plastic. The note message reads:
As a church, we believe that every nation, kindred, tongue and people should be reached with the everlasting gospel. The Moccasin Trail to Heaven book presents God’s word in a beautiful way that can easily be received by Indigenous Peoples. By sharing the book, we believe that seeds will be sown for a future harvest for we are told that, “More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.” – R&H, Nov. 10, 1885
God’s word still has creative power and still changes lives. We are also very thankful for the ministry of The Voice of Prophecy Canada. They have pledged to follow-up on the Bible Study interests generated from the Native New Day Bible Study card insert.
As seekers go through the Bible studies, we hope to see a few small pockets of believers across Canada that can be encouraged and connected to existing local churches closer to the bigger cities. It is good to encourage foreign missions. But we should not neglect those who are within the borders of our country – though separated by distance.
THE PLAN
There are over 1 million English-speaking First Nation people in Canada of which 30% reside on reserves. This translates to about 130,000 households, or homes that are currently on English reserves. Through the generous donation of dedicated Christians, we have printed the 130,000 copies of The Moccasin Trail to Heaven book for distribution across Canada. Endorsed by the Indigenous Reconciliation Ministries Directors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, our goal is to offer a copy of this book to every first nation home in Canada. We are also desirous to provide copies to each Friendship Centre across the nation. Friendship Centres are offices that provide support, services, and culturally relevant programs to Indigenous people living in urban areas.
“Pathway” is simply the name we are giving to the plan – seeking to align ourselves with the path that the Holy Spirit is already using to reach the heart of God’s Indigenous Children. The following plan is a suggested framework for your conference and a starting point for discussion
THE APPROACH
Each book is shrink-wrapped with a Native New Day Bible Studies offer, and a small note on the back. The transparent shrink-wrap is to protect it from the elements when being distributed, and the note can be seen through the plastic. The note message reads:
THE METHOD
We have divided up the First Nation population in your area, into the following:
1. Accessible Reserves & Friendship Centres
(Within driving distances of a local church)
2. Remote Reserves & Friendship Centres
(NOT within driving distance of a local church)
Accessible Reserves & Friendship Centres
For accessible reserves, members of local churches are encouraged to deliver books by placing them on front doormats or in mailboxes of homes in nearby reserves. There is no need to knock on doors. Volunteers would simply deliver the materials much like an Amazon driver or Canada Post representative. (Unlike in the U.S., it is fully legal in Canada to place items directly in mailboxes in any reserve across this country.) We encourage churches, where possible, to seek to create lasting relationships through this initiative. In the distribution of over 60,000 books so far, there has been very little hesitation in receiving something so thoughtfully and beautifully created for their communities. Many are drawn to the book simply because of the compelling images inside. We are already getting good feedback on lives changed and even other denominations seeking to share this book.
We have also set aside one box for each Friendship Centre in your area, to be delivered as a drop-off.
GLOW Canada and Restoring Hearts Indigenous Ministries are the sponsors for this outreach initiative. Although we are working closely with the local churches, the name “Seventh-day Adventist Church” is not mentioned to minimize concerns for church members.
Lifestyle Canada will be shipping all the books required for distribution via freight to the local conference for them to distribute to the churches. We believe that this initiative will inspire church members to work together to plant seeds of love!
If you live in Canada and would like to be a Lifestyle Canada Pathway partner, you can find below the schedule of The Moccasin Trail to Heaven distribution plan for each church that is located close to a reserve. Please click the link below to look up the Pathway Distribution Plan for your province or territory. We ask for your patience as we work through some inaccuracies, but for the most part it is proving to be a very effective plan, and we appreciate so much your participation in this initiative.
Each SDA Conference in Canada is committed to provide the books to their churches over the next year, so please contact your local conference about their timeline in distributing the books to churches. However, if you would like your church’s allotted books mailed before your conference issues them, you can do so by covering shipping costs and having the books mailed directly to your church through Lifestyle Canada (905-576-6631).
British Columbia Conference:
Contact: Liz Obomsawin - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8lgkpegswq90iwteqcsrn/Pathways-BC.pdf?rlkey=hp9fe2z2lue0s7e67f6m3kbhs&st=2uqt4jj5&dl=0
Alberta Conference:
Contact: Pastor Reynold Ferary - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/20yev9bw17cbngq6q94ro/Pathways-AB.pdf?rlkey=orgt2kn6tuo16ftffrqi59dvb&st=ksi1uhqq&dl=0
Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference:
Contact: Pastor Charles Aguilar - [email protected]
Distribution Plan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j6vpg0ec31twgpmuwrklh/Pathways-M-S.pdf?rlkey=psw7q0vb60lcciagw7gmlxihe&st=fi8bkoze&dl=0
Ontario Conference:
Contact: Pastor Mansfield Edwards - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
ON: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1303kpxyx2ipbbjscsz3g/Pathways-ON.pdf?rlkey=hbvuwnqw3xjfxhrjllsksgucy&st=uarowsk4&dl=0
Quebec:
We are in the planning process to print French books.
Maritimes Conference:
Contact: Pastor David Miller - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
MAR:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ptt3kot8m1l8lwke2qik6/Pathways-Maritimes.pdf?rlkey=mf4ozhlnjgz3z0e62sj9ek3y5&st=5ohxzs9k&dl=0
Newfoundland Conference:
Contact: Pastor John Marley - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
NL:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hednciw267xywczl374mg/Pathways-NL.pdf?rlkey=yqltgup4xvpt4wh3oyuacchud&st=ba3yqwy1&dl=0
Remote Reserves & Friendship Centres
Lifestyle Canada is prepared to ship books to reserves and Friendship Centres in remote areas using Canada Post. While all the necessary books have been paid for, our current funding only allows us to ship to a small percentage of remote locations. We still need approximately $85,000 to cover the remaining shipping costs. Any financial support you can offer to help subsidize the rest of the mailing would be deeply appreciated.
We have divided up the First Nation population in your area, into the following:
1. Accessible Reserves & Friendship Centres
(Within driving distances of a local church)
2. Remote Reserves & Friendship Centres
(NOT within driving distance of a local church)
Accessible Reserves & Friendship Centres
For accessible reserves, members of local churches are encouraged to deliver books by placing them on front doormats or in mailboxes of homes in nearby reserves. There is no need to knock on doors. Volunteers would simply deliver the materials much like an Amazon driver or Canada Post representative. (Unlike in the U.S., it is fully legal in Canada to place items directly in mailboxes in any reserve across this country.) We encourage churches, where possible, to seek to create lasting relationships through this initiative. In the distribution of over 60,000 books so far, there has been very little hesitation in receiving something so thoughtfully and beautifully created for their communities. Many are drawn to the book simply because of the compelling images inside. We are already getting good feedback on lives changed and even other denominations seeking to share this book.
We have also set aside one box for each Friendship Centre in your area, to be delivered as a drop-off.
GLOW Canada and Restoring Hearts Indigenous Ministries are the sponsors for this outreach initiative. Although we are working closely with the local churches, the name “Seventh-day Adventist Church” is not mentioned to minimize concerns for church members.
Lifestyle Canada will be shipping all the books required for distribution via freight to the local conference for them to distribute to the churches. We believe that this initiative will inspire church members to work together to plant seeds of love!
If you live in Canada and would like to be a Lifestyle Canada Pathway partner, you can find below the schedule of The Moccasin Trail to Heaven distribution plan for each church that is located close to a reserve. Please click the link below to look up the Pathway Distribution Plan for your province or territory. We ask for your patience as we work through some inaccuracies, but for the most part it is proving to be a very effective plan, and we appreciate so much your participation in this initiative.
Each SDA Conference in Canada is committed to provide the books to their churches over the next year, so please contact your local conference about their timeline in distributing the books to churches. However, if you would like your church’s allotted books mailed before your conference issues them, you can do so by covering shipping costs and having the books mailed directly to your church through Lifestyle Canada (905-576-6631).
British Columbia Conference:
Contact: Liz Obomsawin - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8lgkpegswq90iwteqcsrn/Pathways-BC.pdf?rlkey=hp9fe2z2lue0s7e67f6m3kbhs&st=2uqt4jj5&dl=0
Alberta Conference:
Contact: Pastor Reynold Ferary - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/20yev9bw17cbngq6q94ro/Pathways-AB.pdf?rlkey=orgt2kn6tuo16ftffrqi59dvb&st=ksi1uhqq&dl=0
Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference:
Contact: Pastor Charles Aguilar - [email protected]
Distribution Plan:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j6vpg0ec31twgpmuwrklh/Pathways-M-S.pdf?rlkey=psw7q0vb60lcciagw7gmlxihe&st=fi8bkoze&dl=0
Ontario Conference:
Contact: Pastor Mansfield Edwards - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
ON: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1303kpxyx2ipbbjscsz3g/Pathways-ON.pdf?rlkey=hbvuwnqw3xjfxhrjllsksgucy&st=uarowsk4&dl=0
Quebec:
We are in the planning process to print French books.
Maritimes Conference:
Contact: Pastor David Miller - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
MAR:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ptt3kot8m1l8lwke2qik6/Pathways-Maritimes.pdf?rlkey=mf4ozhlnjgz3z0e62sj9ek3y5&st=5ohxzs9k&dl=0
Newfoundland Conference:
Contact: Pastor John Marley - [email protected]
DistributionPlan:
NL:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hednciw267xywczl374mg/Pathways-NL.pdf?rlkey=yqltgup4xvpt4wh3oyuacchud&st=ba3yqwy1&dl=0
Remote Reserves & Friendship Centres
Lifestyle Canada is prepared to ship books to reserves and Friendship Centres in remote areas using Canada Post. While all the necessary books have been paid for, our current funding only allows us to ship to a small percentage of remote locations. We still need approximately $85,000 to cover the remaining shipping costs. Any financial support you can offer to help subsidize the rest of the mailing would be deeply appreciated.
DONATE TOWARDS THIS INITIATIVE
Please make sure to mark in the "In Honour of" box what this donation is to go towards.
Please make sure to mark in the "In Honour of" box what this donation is to go towards.
Please contact the Lifestyle Canada office for others ways to donate.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]