About the Western Apache People

An Overview

Within the eastern third of Arizona are communities of Western Apache people with a distinct culture, language, and history. These are a forgotten, hidden, and oppressed people. They exist virtually in our own backyards, not overseas, and not in remote jungles, but on reservations in the United States of America.

Over 30,000 Western Apache live under the shadow of spiritual darkness. They are often stereotyped, misunderstood, and marginalized. The options and opportunities enjoyed by Anglo communities 30 miles away are out of reach for many Apache.

The byproducts of both well-documented historical and generational trauma, coupled with the lack of work and meaningful activity, are hopelessness, addiction, poor health, and poverty; which continue to ravage Apache communities.

The Need

The Western Apache on the reservations are spiritual people. They are very aware of and fear the spirit world and spirit activities. Since the mid 1800’s the Apache have been exposed to the Gospel in one way or another, but they remain an unreached people group because there is no viable, indigenous, church planting movement able to reproduce intergenerational fellowships, capable of evangelizing the rest of the Apache communities.

Today, many Apache people have one foot in the Anglo culture and one foot in the Apache ways; they combine traditional animistic religious beliefs and practices with Christianity. Some Apaches don’t hold tightly to any religious beliefs, but they recognize the spirit world. The traditional Western Apaches fear that abandoning their traditional beliefs and practices will lead to the destruction of the Apache culture and the Apache people.

Jesus came to bring light into dark places and to bind up the broken hearted. He came to set the captives free. God Most High created the Apache people to glorify Himself, and He desires to bring not only salvation, but power, healing and beauty to the Western Apache.

For More on the Western Apache

More can be learned about the Western Apache on Wikipedia.