AIM Staff Coordinator... What is that?

As the AIM Staff Coordinator, I have the privilege of directing ex-Aimers who serve as our volunteer staff. Each of these staff members have successfully completed the AIM program and are transitioning to other aspects of their lives. Nearly half of the 25 serving on our staff are enrolled in Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI). The others attend Lubbock Christan, Texas Tech or work.

My primary responsibility with my staff lies in the areas mentoring and "coaching." To accomplish these, I meet with the staff bi-weekly to teach, encourage, and train them as spiritual leaders and guides to the AIM students. I coordinate all activities, trips, events and serve as a communication conduit to our partnering churches. Additionally, I oversee many of the day to day student operations, handle discipline issues as needed and travel as an AIM recruiter.

School Work

The AIM program can be divided into three primary sections: From August to December they have two, 9 week terms. From January to April they will have a Mission Term in which the focus of study shifts towards more practical training. The third and final section is the actual field time of at least 14 months on an approved mission field.

During the first term, students will study four core courses; New Testament Message (James "Gibby" Gilbert), Old Testament Survey (Ray Young), Christian Evidences (Ed Wharton) and Life of Christ (Patrick Sheaffer). Each of these course are taught twice weekly for no less than two hours each class period. These Bible course are equivalent to taking approximately 18 hours of college work in a nine week period. Students will have various assignments, pop quizzes and exams all directed at the growth and practical use of their Biblical knowledge.

2006 AIM Class Arrives!

On August 13th, 62 young men and women arrived in Lubbock, Texas to begin their adventure as missionary apprentices. Over the next eight months, these young people will be challenged spiritually, emotionally even physically as they receive sound Biblical instruction in no less than eight core classes, work hands-on at area churches and prepare to be sent out into the harvest field. These young people come from over 20 states and represent a cross-section of youth spanning our brotherhood. Their average age is 19. Each student has a unique story. Sadly, a few of the students have very little in the way of emotional support from their families. Several students come from non-Christian homes while the majority have been raised in the church. Each student is responsible for raising their own financial support during the entire two-year program. Most of this support will come from their respective families and churches. However, one young lady actually sold her car to have enough support to attend.

These young people are to be commended for the their faith. Leaving home, families, jobs and even relationships they are committed to serving God's kingdom in the capacity of missionary apprentice for at least the next two years. Though young, they offer willing hands and hearts to serve both the church and the un-churched. They will be stretched, pulled and pushed as they make it their ambition to love and serve in this unique program. Please pray for these tender warriors as they begin this amazing adventure.

AIM's History; A Glory To God

God is at work in the AIM program. In 1973, sixteen young adults approached the elders of the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas with a huge dream of being trained by veteran missionaries and then to be sent into the mission field. After receiving Bible training and missons preparation, the young people went to Dublin, Ireland for two years. During the course of that time, nineteen souls were brought to the Lord, the church was strengthened and each of those young disciples were blessed beyond measure.

After their initial stay in Ireland, they returned to the states where they attended college, married, began careers, and became active in the local churches. They became mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, deacons, bible class teachers, youth ministers, missionaries “aiming to preach the gospel.” Little did they know that their step of faith would be the beginning of an ongoing march of over 1000 young adults sharing Jesus in:

o 176 mission points
o 46 foreign countries
o 29 states in these United States

Though the numbers are quite impressive, the most important factor must not be overlooked; God is being glorified! God is being glorified not only as young people continue to participate in this program each year, but as they graduate from AIM their lives continue to honor God regardless of their occupations or locations. Additionally, mission churches continue to be strengthend and encouraged as AIM students serve for at minumum of 14 months. AIM, quite simply, is a program desigend with a vision to prepare, train and send young disciples for a lifetime of ministry. To Him be the glory forever and ever.