Home > Today's Christian > People of Faith > Ordinary Heroes
Today's Christian, July/August 2004
Ron and Alpha Goombi: Missionaries to America
This couple is bringing spiritual hope to Native American reservations.
From On Mission
 |
| Photo from On Mission/Gibbs Frazeur |
Alpha Goombi wanted to be the first Native American actress to win an Academy Award. Her husband Ron wanted to be a successful businessman. God had a different plan.
Today Ron Goombi (pronounced goom-BYE) is the director of the Omaha Baptist Center and pastor of All Nations Church, and he and Alpha are using their talents to reach Native American tribes in inner-city Omaha and on three Indian reservations in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Natives of Oklahoma, Ron is of Kiowa/Choctaw descent, and Alpha is Kiowa/Apache.
"Our background helps get our foot in the door, but beyond that, people watch us to make sure our Christian testimony is real," says Ron.
Although Ron became a Christian as a child, Alpha did not accept Christ until age 27. Her family faced many of the same obstacles as Native Americans do today-sexual abuse, poverty, alcohol, and prejudice.
"I had a very painful life before my conversion, and I am able to share truthfully with people who are lost and hurting," Alpha says. "I want to serve God because of what He's done in my life."
The Goombis have been successful in leading many from the tribes out of alcoholism and poverty. As much as 65 percent of the people on the Omaha Reservation are unemployed, and suicide and alcoholism plague many of the young people in the community.
"We are trying to show how Christ is as relevant in Native culture as He is in any other culture," says Ron.
Adapted from On Mission, the flagship publication of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board. Used by permission.
Copyright © 2004 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine.
Click here for reprint information.
July/August 2004, Vol. 42, No. 4, Page 23
Browse More Today's Christian
Home | People of Faith | Stories of Hope | Today's Culture
Build Your Faith | Laughing Matters | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try Today's Christian Woman Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian Woman coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Today's Christian Woman as a gift
Order a gift subscription!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
