AIMS Associates Training Lights a Fire in the Hearts of Ministry Leaders

AIMS News: Posted 8/1/2006

"I'm packed and ready to go," said "Andrea," as she took a break during the Wednesday morning session of AIMS Associates Training this June. Before attending the training, Andrea and her husband knew God had called them to train nationals overseas, but they did not know where to begin. Now, the couple feels that have the information they need to begin the task. As they seek God about where to begin their ministry, they plan to join AIMS on an exhibition trip to China this fall. "We are willing to go wherever God leads."

Andrea was one of 33 individuals who attended the latest AIMS Associates Training June 19-23. Held this year at the Ramada Plaza Resort in Virginia Beach, this bi-annual conference trains church leaders, businessmen, and laypersons how to effectively mobilize churches in the United States and abroad to become more actively involved in taking the Gospel to unreached people groups around the world. Before the end of the conference, each person had the opportunity to join AIMS as an Associate. Everyone left excited about future opportunities in cross-cultural missions.

"I can't wait to take this training back to my church and community," said one new Associate. "I feel confident that I can be a part of the plan to change the world for the glory of God!"

Another new associate said, "I came with little experience, but an open heart. I've always had a passion for the lost - a burden for souls, but now itís becoming clearer to me to now...These are God's souls. I finally realized that completing the Great Commission is possible!"

One missions pastor from a non-denominational church in California had wanted to get his church involved in adopting an unreached people group, but didnít know where to begin. He had even begun to create his own curriculum to train his church and other churches in his network.

"I came here and you had everything I needed," he said. "This week has changed my thinking about missions. Our church has just been treading water. Now, I have the tools we need to take the Gospel to the nations!"

He plans to use Harvest Connection to train pastors in Southern California how to take the Gospel to unreached people groups and get his own church involved by adopting at least one unreached people group.

Learn more about our next AIMS Associates Training >