Coming in a Good Way at Tribal Colleges

Imagine going to a new area without knowing the best spots to eat or the history of the place. You can’t use any resources to help you either.   

I want to invite you to learn about a process called “coming in a good way.” It’s a protocol that Native InterVarsity uses when arriving in a place where an invitation is needed. When we’re invited somewhere, we’re guests, and we want to be respectful and honorable to those who came before us. 

Being Invited by Creator God and Learning How to Listen 

Tim Webster, Native InterVarsity Resource Specialist, stated, “Coming in a good way finds a path to the kind of resilient, empowered faith that transforms communities.” 

Coming in a good way means asking permission when arriving at a new space and being invited there by Creator God and the local community. It involves taking initiative to build relationships and connections with people you meet and thanking Creator God for witnessing his works. Eventually, it should lead to partnership, affirming the gifts God has already given the community, and redefining success done among the community. 

Since 2022, Native InterVarsity has been attending a Tribal college student conference called American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). AIHEC started in 1972 by leaders of the first Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States and Canada. Their focus is to strengthen higher education for American Indian College students. At AIHEC, coming in a good way has meant initiating conversations with the coordinators about how we can support Native students well on their campuses. 

While tabling at AIHEC, we ask students or faculty if Jesus would eat frybread. Several of them see humor when answering yes, no, or maybe, while others reveal how complicated this question can be for them. It helps Native InterVarsity staff build relationships with university and college faculty and students, and we follow up to see if we can gain their permission to come to their campuses.     

Coming in a Good Way at NTU    

AIHEC has helped me connect with Tribal Colleges within the Four Corners region, specifically. One example of this is Navajo Technical University (NTU), the largest campus of these Tribal Colleges. We had been praying for revival and for a small group Bible study to start at NTU since 2016! And so, partnering with AIHEC was an answer to our prayers, asking God to show us how to come in a good way as we waited for a person of peace to build connections on campus. 

After AIHEC in 2023, we began hosting a Bible study at NTU’s main campus. A handful of students met online and in-person, and many shared how important it was to have a safe space where they could talk honestly about being Native and a follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus). 

This didn’t come without challenges. Several students soon found themselves facing family situations that put their faith to the test. 

Over my years on InterVarsity staff, I’ve seen spiritual warfare on several Tribal college campuses — NTU has been no exception — especially when safe spaces are created for Native students and staff to grow spiritually. But God is always working to provide what Native students need to be able to strengthen their walk with him. 

Coming in a Good Way in Scripture 

This experience with NTU reminds me of Acts 10 and the powerful vision God gave Cornelius to send for Peter. 

When Peter arrived, he entered the home of Gentiles, the home of another nation, which was considered unholy. But the Spirit led him to come in a good way. 

Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household, and they were all baptized in the name of the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus), welcoming them into the sacred family.    

In the same way, Native InterVarsity trusts the Holy Spirit to welcome us into places where we’re needed. We want to keep trusting in the Spirit and always come in a good way.     

Please pray for Tribal College students and faculty throughout the nation, for God to empower their faith as we continue witnessing God’s good work.