Church guide

About

The following information is available for White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church:

We are a small congregation located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in south eastern Montana.

The first Mennonite Missionaries arrived on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Busby, Montana on May 11, 1904. they were G.A. and Anna Linschied. They knew the Cheyenne language having learned it in Oklahoma from the Southern Cheyennes. Their coming to live in Busby followed several exploratory visits by Rudolphe Petter in 1899, 1901 and 1903. Throughout the summer they lived in a tent as they built a frame home, barn, and log chapel. The following year, 1905, a log house was built for a single missionary, Anna Williams, who came to serve. Then in 1914, a rare tornado came through and left all the of the buildings stand except the log chapel. A one room frame chapel was built to replace the log one and that was dedicated in 1915. Early on the church became know at the Bethany Mennonite Mission. During the past 100 years four different missionary/pastoral couples served for lengthy periods of time and several more for shorter periods. In 1975-76, a fellowship hall, kitchen, bathrooms, and Sunday School rooms were added to the chapel. This was mostly done by volunteer labor which was both local and from other Mennonite churches in our area conference. This addition was dedicated int November 1976. This has served well for many and varied church activities as well as a place for community activities to be held. In the early 1950's under the vision of missionary Malcolm Wenger, the church began its slow but very significant move from being a church that was operated under the control of the Missionary and Mission Board to becoming an Indigenous church. At first a church council was formed to help make decisions that affected the church. Then this council began to handle its own funds. The church began calling itself the Bethany Mennonite Church (rather than Mission). In the late 1960's the church began calling its own pastors. they also too on all management of funds, both those generated locally and subsidies sent from the Commission on Home Ministries (formerly Mission Board), this included paying the pastor. It was also during the late 1960's that the Mennonite Indian Leaders Council was formed, bringing together Native Mennonite churches froma ll over the United States for fellowship and decision making. In 1976 at the dedication of the remodeled facilities, the chruch group decided to change its name to the White River Mennonite Church. (The Busby band of Cheyennes have been known as the White River poeple since returning from Oklahoma and South Dakota and this name change seemed more culturally appropriate.) In 2000, subisidy was totally discontinued and the church found ways to move on its own in spite of being small and being located in an economically depressed area. Through the years the church has been involved in many types of ministry for both children and adults. It has carried on a camping ministry for children, youth, and adults together with the other Northern Cheyenne Mennonite Churches. Children and youth ministry included utilizing the Summer Service Program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee in conjunction with our local church. Each summer two to four college students are employed by the church for a ten week period. Another significant ministry has been Bible translation. In 1975 the Norhtern Cheyenne Mennonite Churches invited Wycliffe Bible Translators to send a couple to help with translation work. This has been on-going. In 1982, together with the Oklahoma Cheyennes, a Spiritual Songbook was published including indigenous songs as well as translated songs. Beginning in the late 1970's our church became more intentionally involved in the field of Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency which continues to this day. This involves helping people attend primary treatment, family programs, and training in the addiction field. The church building also serves as a host to weekly Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. The present pastor is Willis Busenitz, who with his wife, Nadine and 3 children moved to Busby from Lame Deer, Montana in 1971. In October of 2012 Scott Shreffler moved to Busby MT from Pa, to take the role of Assistant Pastor, In June of 2013 Scott married Suzette Cain which is a Northern Cheyenne Tribal Member. As a team Willis, Nadine, Scott and Suzette minister to the community of Busby and the reservation at large.

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News

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02/04/2019

Come eat with us in Lame Deer on Thursday!

26/01/2019

Everyone is welcome to join us for worship and a meal this Sunday afternoon! #jointworship

13/12/2018

A beautiful memory from last years senior citizen's meal!

11/12/2018

The senior citizens of the community of Busby enjoying the annual Christmas meal and evening of fellowship at the church.

03/12/2018

Getting ready for the bazaar! Come get an Indian Taco or walking Taco and check out the crafts, baked goods and silent auction!

03/12/2018

Tomorrow is the day!!!! Come eat and do some Christmas Shopping!!!! There is still time to get a table if you would like to sell things! Message or Call 406.592.3643

29/11/2018

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping! For more information and to reserve your table to sell your crafts, Inbox us or Call 406.592.3643

09/09/2018

KIDS DAY!!! 🔹Singing, 🔸Stories 🔹Videos🔸Crafts🔹Games🔸Picnic 🔹Candy Cannon 🍬🍭🏁🎨🎶👟🏃 Tomorrow 10am-1pm COME & ENJOY❗❗

06/08/2018

Our summer service workers- Gynsyn Emerson and Frazell Bigback helped with church service today and spoke on their experiences throughout the summer. So proud of these young men for their willingness to grow and experience new things! Gynsyn expressed his interest in MCC's Serving and Learning Together (SALT) a year-long, cross-cultural service experience. And Frazell will be returning to high school as a junior, with hopes to help again next summer. We wish these boys blessings and thank them again for all their hard work this summer!

20/07/2018

A few moments a Jr Camp, making amazing memories☺

17/07/2018

Big Thank you to Arrowtek Sound and Lighting and Morning Star Trading and Jared and Niki Stewart for providing supper for our first night of Jr. Camp at Crazyhead Springs! We have about 75 campers enrolled. Please keep them in your prayers this week!

15/07/2018

Good worship on the beautiful morning at Crazy Heads Springs! Sing an hornor song to Jesus

10/07/2018

Kids! It's Junior Camp time! Adults, how about sharing some of your favorite Junior Camp stories!🏕⛰

09/07/2018

It's camp time! Reconnect with nature, and enjoy good fellowship!

18/06/2018

We have one last chance to see Nammy Award Winning singer Callie Bennet and hear an inspiring message! We will be giving away 3 bicycles! Hope to see you all there!

18/06/2018

God as Abba father with his love, mercy and grace through faith! Thank you for your inspired words and music! We appreicate you visiting us, Pastor Ellson Bennet and his daughter Nammy Award winning Gospel singer Callie Bennet.

18/06/2018

We were #blessed by Nammy Award winning sinnger Callie Bennet and her unique story!

17/06/2018

Getting ready to start! Come on down get out of the rain and enjoy music and fellowship!!

14/06/2018

Hope to see you all come out on Sunday for good music, good fellowship and good food!

09/06/2018

The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator. God made us so unique and perfect in His image❤ This week we learned about Gods promises and His unconditional love for us. We ended the week of VBS with swimming at Hardin for those who had perfect attendance. A HUGE Thank you to all who helped out❤ Your help is so appreciated!#VBS2018

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