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Two Rivers Native American Training Center was founded
by Dr. Jay Swallow of the Southern Cheyenne Nation and Dr. Negiel Bigpond
of the Yuchi and Creek Nations. After traveling and ministering to the
Native Nations for many years separately, both men of God reached the
conclusion that more qualified ministers were needed to serve the
reservations of North America. As they crossed paths, they began to share
their concerns with one another. Soon they realized that God had brought
them together to bring forth the vision of Two Rivers. Two Rivers is located approximately 15 miles south of Tulsa. The first classes were held in September 1998 in a large trailer, which also served as Morning Star Evangelistic Center ("MSEC"), a church pastored by Dr. Bigpond. The students received classroom instruction, but they also participated in outreach trips to various reservations in the U.S. and Canada.
As Drs. Swallow and Bigpond
shared their vision with other ministers, friends, and their families,
finances began coming in and professionals like Dickson Gunn donated
valuable skills. A great architect, Dickson voluntarily designed the first
major building on the campus and the dormitory phases. The first building
was completed and dedicated on June 3, 2000. It is two stories, fifty feet
by eighty feet, and it houses a sanctuary with a meeting/storage area at
the back, the administrative offices of Two Rivers and MSEC, and a prayer
room, with bathroom facilities on both floors.
In January 2001, Dr. Bigpond asked his long-time friend and fellow-minister, George Autaubo, to be the administrator of the school. George has faithfully fulfilled the duties of that position to the present day and was responsible for getting the school accredited by the spring semester of 2001 through American Christian College and Seminary.
On May 22, 2002, our
beloved Dickson Gunn left this earthly realm to join Jesus in heaven. The
family of God at Two Rivers greatly mourned his passing with his widow,
Shara, and their son, Stephen. At the same time, we rejoiced that a mighty
warrior had received his eternal reward and was with the Lord.
In 2002 we built the shell
of a metalsmithing building. Part of the vision of Two Rivers is to teach
Native arts, and Dr. Swallow is an accomplished jewelry maker and
metalsmith. Therefore, a class in this craft will be added to the Two
Rivers curriculum. We are raising funds to complete the building in time
for the spring semester of 2003.
Another major building project underway is Phase One of the dormitory
facility. This building is 3,742 square foot, consisting of eight
dormitory rooms, each of which houses two students or one married couple.
One of the units will be equipped to meet handicapped requirements. Phase
One also includes meeting rooms, classrooms, laundry facilities, and a
small kitchenette. (Meals will be handled at a separate facility.) Phase
One will be ready for the spring semester of 2003.
If you wish to donate
money, labor, equipment, or furnishings for these facilities, please
click
on Partnership Plan. Thank you for your interest in Two Rivers and may God
bless you mightily!
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