“God’s Warrior” is an epithet by which David Pendleton Oakerhater (b. 1847; the date on the picture above appears to be inaccurate) is
known among the Cheyenne Indians of Oklahoma. The title is an apt
one, for this apostle of Christ to the Cheyenne was originally a soldier
who fought against the United States government with warriors of
other tribes in the disputes over Indian land rights.
Having gone through many sufferings and indignities as a Native American, after being imprisoned by the U.S. Army, David became an Episcopalian in 1878, and was ordained a deacon in June, 1881. Sent to minister in Oklahoma among the Cheyenne, Oakerhater was instrumental in founding and operating
schools and missions. Again, he endured great personal sacrifice, inconvenience, and suffering because of the apathy of Church leaders, and because of resistance from
the U.S. government. He continued as a deacon, educator, and
pastor among his people until his death on August 31, 1931.
Many years before, the young deacon had told his people: “You all
know me. You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what
I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned
about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes
first, and all he tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go
with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace.”
O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, you
chose a captive warrior,
David Oakerhater, to be your
servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own
people,
and to exercise the office of a deacon among them:
Liberate us, who commemorate him today,
from bondage
to self, and empower us for service to you and to the
neighbors
you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the
captain of our salvation;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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