Ron and Kathy Countryman

In 1975 we heard the call of God upon our lives to leave all and move to Montana to work with and serve the Native Americans. We were very young, but we answered the call not knowing how this would work. We sold our home in Illinois, left jobs, family, and church, and away we went. God deposited a deep desire and yearning in our hearts to minister to the Native American people of Montana, one we could not escape. It has been quite a journey of faith, but God has been faithful at every turn. We were pioneers in this field as far as a presence from our denomination. We have served in this capacity for 47 years!

At Four Winds Ministry Center, located just outside of Big Timber, we host many missions teams from across the United States and conduct Native American Youth Camps,  Ministry Training sessions for Native American leaders, Community Chaplain training sessions, and retreats. Outside of the Center, we deliver food monthly to the Crow Reservation, home to 50 families. We also deliver firewood in the winter months to supply a form of heat to those in need on the Crow and North Cheyenne reservations. We supply 35-40 turkeys to the Boys & Girls Club in Lame Deer, Montana for their Annual Community Thanksgiving Feed (approximately 500 people). We also deliver warm winter clothing, blankets and school supplies and minister to humanitarian needs to both reservations.  We also send $200 every month to help supply food to the Homeless Shelter in Lame Deer.

There are so many memorable moments we treasure. On August 14, 2008, we received one of the greatest and most infrequent honors.  The Turnsplenty family adopted us into their family and into the Crow Indian Tribe and Nation.  This is our most memorable event and lifelong dream!