Haskell LIGHT Ministries directors Will Main, Sioux, and his wife Patricia Main, Cree, talk about the mission of their organization at the LIGHT House, 137 Pawnee Ave.

Haskell Indian Nations University freshman Shay Castillo, Oklahoma City, Dine and Mississippi Choctaw, grabs a pair of free flip-flops from the Joseph Store House of Haskell LIGHT Ministries at the LIGHT House, 137 Pawnee Ave. In addition to ministering with students, the organization offers donated items free to Haskell students.

Ashley Thirsty likes that she doesn’t have to choose between her American Indian heritage and her faith.

That, above everything, is why she feels comfortable at the LIGHT ministry at Haskell Indian Nations University.

“It’s meeting the cultural Indians and Christians at the same time,” says Thirsty, a junior from Oklahoma. “There are a lot of Native American churches around. Some students want to do a little of both.”

As the Lutheran ministry at Haskell celebrates its 35th anniversary this weekend, leaders say that formula has worked well over the years – meeting students where they are at spiritually, and helping them with their practical life needs.

“It was whatever they needed,” says Caryn Scott, who founded the ministry in her home with her husband, Wiley, in 1972. “If they needed clothes, we’d get them clothes. It was whatever they needed. And that’s still what we’re doing.”

The ministry – which stands for Lutheran Indians Gathering and Helping Together – will celebrate its history this weekend with a reunion, banquet and concerts by American Indian and Christian artist Jonathan Maracle and his band, Brokenwalls.

LIGHT, which is supported by the national Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S., Lawrence’s four Lutheran churches and individual support, is headquartered in the LIGHT House, 137 Pawnee Ave., adjacent to the Haskell campus.

It’s been there since 1979. The Scotts, who started the program after meeting some Haskell students through their church, Immanuel Lutheran.

Early on, the gatherings focused on Bible studies and food – popcorn, in particular.

Over time, the ministry grew to provide clothes and toiletries, rides around town and to church, counseling and a safe place for those in danger.

And Patricia Main, a Cree who is in her second year of directing the program with her husband, Will, says the program has delivered some 3,000 homemade quilts to students through the years.

“The thing is, you take these quilts, put them out, and it’s like home for them,” says Wiley Scott, who is Creek.

The Mains say the ministry today isn’t focused on the Lutheran denomination, even though that is who largely supports it.

“We don’t just serve Lutherans,” Will Main says. “Our door is open to everyone. Out of a campus of 1,000 students, there are probably 10 Lutherans.”

There was a time in the early ’80s when 100 students might show up for a LIGHT meeting. Now, there are 20 to 50 students involved on a regular basis for events such as a fall kick-off dinner or Christmas dinner.

“It’s no longer a top-down ministry,” Will Main says. “We’re empowering our people to go back to their people. We want to empower and equip our people.”

Will Main, who is Cherokee and Cree, agrees with Thirsty that LIGHT has allowed students to explore themselves, both as American Indians and as Christians.

“In the past, it seemed like people had a choice – Indian or Christian – and nary the two shall meet,” he says.

Patricia Main says she spends much of her time walking through the dorms on campus, talking with students.

“I know about poverty, abuse and suicide,” she says. “I’ve seen too many of our people not walk to the destiny that our Creator has for them. I know there is hope.”