Our History
A dream became reality in 1966 in Native American Country when KHAC went on the air! This was the first missionary radio station for the local Native Americans beaming from Window Rock, Arizona, Tribal Headquarters. Many programs were made locally in the Native languages. The Lord blessed abundantly and power has been increased to 10 kilowatts. The Lord allowed us to go on the air with KWIM in 1998 KWIM is an American Family Association affiliate and plays quality Bible Teaching Programs and contemporary Christian music.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE:
1906 - It all began with the efforts of Rev. Howard A. Clark, Sr – began planting Churches and making disciples across Navajo Land.
1937 - A group of dedicated Christians who saw the need for training Navajo believers and raising a native church. Moved the mission headquarters from Fort Defiance AZ, to the current property in Tse Bonito, NM. Become known Navajo Bible School and Mission, Inc.
1938 – Began construction of facilities. Dedication service on October 1st.
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1939 – Church planting ministry developed. Navajo Bible School Church (now called Community Bible Church) founded on February 5th. Jail visitation ministry began. Evangelistic teams traveling throughout the reservation.
1944 – Navajo Bible School and Mission worker Faye Edgerton is granted the request to transfer to Wycliffe Translators to help in the work of creating a Bible in the Navajo language.
1945 – The Mission began producing a radio program in Navajo on a local radio station in Gallup, New Mexico, which expanded to stations in Flagstaff, Holbrook, and Winslow, Arizona.
1954 – Navajo Bible Church built in Ft. Defiance, Arizona.
1962 – Application was made to the Federal Communications Commission for a radio station license.
1963 – Howard A. Clark went to be with the Lord.
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1964 – Hilltop Christian School opened on September 2nd, with thirteen children from first through sixth grade.
1967 – Under the leadership of Rev. Larry Harper, son-in-law of the founder, KHAC-AM went on the air with 1,000 watts of power.
1976 – Dr. David Clark, son of the founder, returned to the field, after being a pastor in California, to became the General Director/President. He continued to lead the mission until his death in 1985.
1979 – Hilltop Christian Preschool opened its doors.
1980 – KTBA-AM in Tuba City, Arizona went on the air so the Gospel message could be heard in the western part of Navajo land and the Hopi reservation. The mission name officially changed to Western Indian Ministries, Inc.
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1990 – Rev. Laurence Harper named General Director.
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1995 – KWIM-FM went on the air in Window Rock to give a predominantly music –oriented programming to complement the teaching ministries of KHAC. Hilltop Christian School became the first cross-cultural mission school in the world to receive accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
2001 – Field Committee in place and responsible for day-to-day operation of the mission.
2002 – Church Development Department is led by Navajo Christians.
2012 – Chuck Harper became General Director of WIM.
2013 – Western Indian Ministries celebrated its 75th Anniversary.
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2019 -- Western Indian Ministries changed its name to Across Nations