AIM's History
1989 - AIM Begins
Having served on the mission field, Executive Director, Seth Barnes saw first hand the need for others to join in the Great Commission.
Remembering how God had touched him as a young person while on a short-term missions trip,
Seth felt the call of God to do the same thing.
He started AIM in a small office in his garage creating a list of over 2,000 short-term mission opportunities.
Youth pastors would call Adventures In Missions and match their group with the mission trip that fit best. Because of his own experience, youth pastors would ask Seth to facilitate their trip.
The first summer he led 130 young people on five mission trips.
In the following summer of 1991, AIM led over 750 youth to the mission field.
1992 - The Move To An Office
In 1992, over 1000 people joined AIM on summer mission trips.
The administration of this large of an undertaking forced a move from Seth's home
to an office. Others joined Seth, moving to a storefront office.
Here they lined up mission trips throughout Mexico, Central and South America.
1994 - The Gateway
In 1994 AIM began developing a large mission training facility
called The Gateway.
It is located near Matamoros, Mexico, just across the U.S. border from Brownsville,
Texas. Because of the proximity to the United States, The Gateway is a perfect
training facility for ministry throughout Mexico, Central and South America.
Help and funds came from around the United States and the construction
of The Gateway began. A dining hall/auditorium and dormitory to accommodate
160 people was erected just in time for a 1,000 short-term missionaries
to use it. Every summer since then The Gateway has been filled to
capacity. The Gateway, with its dorms and dining hall, maintenance
shop and fleet of vehicles is able to facilitate thousands of people
in short-term mission projects each year. As AIM's team of Mexican
staff has increased, new facilities at The Gateway are planned.
1997 - The Mission Training Institute
Adventures In Missions has always emphasized the importance of follow-up
on those that become Christians as a result of a mission trip. AIM staff
seek to develop strong relationships with local pastors. They've seen the
strong need for trained pastors and native missionaries. Knowing that the
cost of supporting a national Christian is so much less than a foreign
missionary as well as the fact that nationals have no language or cultural
barriers to impede their effectiveness, AIM began working with local
pastors to develop a missions training center for nationals. People
from around the United States gave financially while others gave
of their time and labor to build this new center. In January of 1998,
The Mission Training Institute opened it's doors to the first class of 34
students. 1999 - M2K
AIM held a Y2K evangelistic campaign in Reynosa. AIM worked with more
than 40 Mexican pastors and their churches to partner with in ministry,
evangelism and follow-up. Our 200 participants showed the Jesus Film
in twenty-five different locations, leading some 500 people to Christ.
Adventures In Missions Celebrates 10 Years!
What a year to celebrate. Not only is it the start of a new millennium,
but it's also Adventures In Missions tenth year anniversary! In 10 years,
AIM has taken over 30,000 people on short-term mission trips leading over
100,000 people to Christ!
AIM 2000 - A Paradigm Shift
AIM has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years.
In 2000 more than 6,000 people participated in over 130 mission
trips to various locations around the world. In addition to the
thousands of youth participants serving in the summer months, there
are now hundreds of adults answering the call to further the Great
Commission through short-term mission trips, as well. College-age,
Adult and Family Mission Projects are a growing part of AIM’s ministry.
AIM 2003 - Expansion of First Year Missionary program
We entered the third year of our First Year Missionary program,
an exciting discipling ministry for college-age students. We have
watched this program grow at a rate of 100% a year as it focuses
on intensive one-on-one discipleship relationship in a ministry
contexts. In 2003, we'll have teams in Philadelphia, Kenya, and
Mexico.
Further than an increase in the number of participants serving
on the mission field, there has been significant Spiritual growth
at AIM. We’ve moved from following schedules to following God to
“reach our world” for Jesus Christ. We want your mission trip with
AIM to be more than a week of service for the Lord, but a life-changing
experience that impacts both your life and the lives of others for
eternity.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose
that prevails.”
- Proverbs 19:21
AIM 2006 - The World Race starts
Partnering with a group of South Africans led by Anna-Marie Franken, we sent 25 20-somethings around the world, ministering for a year to the poorest of the poor. The ministry rapidly expands the following year, as more than 100 in three separate groups go around the world. It is one of the most powerful ministries we’ve ever started. After completing the Race, almost all the first alumni go into ministry full-time.
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