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 Support
a National Missionary Through
Adventures In Mission's Sponsorship Program
AIM’s Mission Training Institute
Since follow-up
in the field is just as important as follow-up for the mission participants,
AIM saw the need for national missionaries to be trained to disciple
their own people. Gateway Missions Training Institute (MTI) in Matamoros,
Mexico, is the result of this concern.
In 1998, AIM graduated its first 34 Mexican students from the Institute.
We have since graduated an average of 25 students a year. The program
covers three years. The first year consists of intense academic
study on campus mixed with ministry opportunities. The second year,
the students intern in a local church where they are mentored by
a pastor. During the internship, the students are able to participate
in valuable ministry while adding to their knowledge and experience.
Then, for the third year our school partners with a local church
to send the students out to plant a new church in an unreached region
of Mexico.
While at MTI, AIM prepares the mission students to go with teams
on short-term mission outreaches. These students are responsible
in part for follow-up. They help ensure that those who come to Christ
are encouraged to follow Him by becoming involved in the local church.
The Mission Training Institute students work closely with local
pastors to assist in guiding a long-term discipleship process. Once
they graduate, these same students will go on to plant new ministries
as national missionaries to unreached areas.
Consider the following six reasons for supporting a national
missionary:
· A national’s understanding of indigenous language
· A national’s understanding of indigenous culture
· The community’s perception of a national as “one of their own”
– a much greater comfort level than with a foreign missionary
· A national often has rights and privileges that a foreigner doesn’t
receive – many times a country is closed to western missionaries
thereby making it more difficult for western missionaries to share
the gospel or work effectively
· A national does not need to go home on furlough as a western missionary
requires
· A national can live on less income than a western missionary
Because the Institute’s professors are mostly missionaries who raise
their own support, the costs of schooling are low. The MTI students
are educated, trained, and provided with room and board while attending
the Institute. The cost per student is $2,000.00 a year (about the
cost for two participants to go on a 10-day overseas mission trip).
It is AIM’s desire for every student to be completely supported
so that the student can concentrate on his/her studies and prepare
for the mission field. Your $10.00 or more a month can help support
the students, one of whom may accompany your group on your Mexico
project.
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