• Timeline
•  Statement of Beliefs

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The following timeline's purpose is to outline the start of Diamond Willow Ministries. It doesn't include everything, nor does it give great detail on the events that have unfolded. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to know more about how we got to where we are today! We'd love to share more with you. Pictures on our "Throwback Photos" album under "Media" correspond well with this Timeline.

May 1999: Rod and Valerie Vaughn Family moved to the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation west of Fort Thompson

2000: The Cantemawaste Youth Club formed and began meeting at the Boys and Girls Club in Fort Thompson

2001:

• The number of youth attending the CanteMaWaste Youth Club continues to increase
• May: With an increasing number of people of all ages being served, it was decided to legally form Diamond Willow Ministries as a non-profit 501c3 Christian Relief Organization. Rod and Valerie Vaughn, along with Terry Quilt, were the original Board of Directors and founders.
• A Dakota singing and Bible study group was started at Mary Manor during the week.
• Sunday worship services are held at the Vaughn home and their house is the center of much activity

2002:

• August: A tent is set up at the Annual Crow Creek Pow Wow to serve the community with hot coffee, ice water and a pancake breakfast. This tradition continues every year. 
• November: A group of Christians froma cross the country met with community members to discuss the possibility of building what was to become the Ikce Oyate Christian Center.

2003:

• May: Kingsway Christian Church comes to assist with construct of the first onsite structure, the bunkhouse
• The bunkhouse immediately becomes a gathering place for picnics and fellowship.
• The first work group came onsite to assist with youth programs.
• November: the walls to the Ikce Oyate Christian Center were built by volunteers at the national Missionary Convention in Cincinnati, OH

2004:

• Early Spring: upgrades to the bunkhouse were made, waterlines and electrical lines run to the site, and the access road was constructed.
• June 5: the construction on the Ikce Oyate Christian Center begins! “Ikce Oyate” is a Dakota language phrase that means, “Common People”
• Services, classes, and programs begin in the unfinished building.

2005:

• Construction on the Ikce Oyate Christian Center continues.
• A horse barn/ garage is built. This building in later years has become the Mato Family Center. It is a multi-purpose building used for gatherings, services,  parties, and meetings.

2007:

• Construction of the onsite housing duplex begins



Diamond Willow Ministries is aligned with the restoration movement churches and as such teaches a person should be baptized when they accept Christ as Savior and Lord. We realize there are many coming on trips who have been taught differently and believe differently. However, we ask that you respect our viewpoint and position while you are here. If you end up in a discussion with someone and feel uncomfortable presenting this position, please refer them to a DWM staff member to follow through.



What We Believe
The Path to True Peace, Hope, & Love:


HEAR the Gospel (Good News) Message of Salvation available for all mankind as "It Is Written" in the Creator's Book, God's Word, the Bible. Recognize & face the fact that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Sin is going against what the Creator wants. Sin brings separation (spiritual death) from God. Jesus brings true Life.



BELIEVE and accept that "Jesus is the Way, The Truth and the Life." It takes more than just belief, for the scriptures state, "that the demons believe (also), but they tremble."


REPENT or turn from doing sinful things. Turn from evil and wrong living. Turn to Jesus and walk continuously toward Him. Surrender to Him who has all Authority and Power.


CONFESS with your mouth that "Jesus is the only Son of the Living God," and that you want Him to be the Master (Lord) of your life. State aloud that you will not allow any other spirit or force to control your life.


BE BAPTIZED by immersion in the Watery Grave, symbolizing the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus applied to your personal life. One also dies to one's old self, burying the sin, the wrong, the shame, and one rises to become a new creation, a new person.


PRAY without ceasing the scriptures say. Be always in a mindset of seeking God's guidance in your life. Give Thanks for the provisions of life. Seek direction during times of choice and temptation. Intercede, that is, pray for others.


LIVE FAITHFULLY as best as you are able. Find a local body of Believers in Jesus and fellowship with them on a weekly basis, being accountable to them and keeping them accountable to God's word.


READ THE BIBLE on a daily basis and memorize scripture for "His Word is powerful and sharper than any two edged sword," which we need in our minds to help us combat evil. "His (God's) Word I will hide in my heart that I might not do wrong against Him (God)."


LEAD OTHERS TO JESUS with your New Lifestyle. Share with them how Jesus has changed your life. Share with others how He wants to change their lives and bring Peace, Hope, & Love into their home and to their families.