This is from Seth’s blog page, talking about what AIM is all about…
The AIM elevator speech
Our mission is to raise up a generation of radical disciples of Jesus Christ. Young people are leaving the church in droves. Researchers like George Barna have told us that we can expect the church in America to go the way of the European church within a few decades where just 5% of the general population follows Christ. But we believe there is great cause for hope. We’re seeing that a remnant of radical believers is waiting to be called and sent out. And as we challenge them to leave all and follow Jesus, they’re responding by the thousands.
Our method is not to give them more information, but to show them Jesus in the world’s slums and dumps. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” We look for those who are willing to follow Christ’s call to the widow and the orphan and we send them to the world’s dark places. Countries like Moldova where 90% of the young people leave the country and a quarter of them are trafficked. Cities like Manila and Phnom Penh, where hundreds work in the garbage heaps. We send them to Swaziland where AIDS afflicts 44% of the adult population and the orphan population is skyrocketing.
And as they go, we disciple them relationally, helping them to discover what it means to walk out their faith in a complicated and harsh world. We help them to discover their identity in Christ and to risk all for the dream of establishing his kingdom.
It’s counter-cultural, but it’s not new. Our methods are Jesus’ own. They aren’t based on a curriculum or a program, but on listening to his voice and moving out in obedience. We dream of a generation that will live to see the glory of God cover the earth and we walk out that dream one relationship at a time.
I was a part of this. I went out into the world and saw the poorest of the poor, the hurt, broken and those who have lost all hope. My life was changed. I now see life with a kingdom perspective. I believe this is a process that awakens a sleeping generation to live fully in the potential that God has freely given to us.
I want to continue in this process. After praying for what seemed like an eternity (almost 5 months) about what to do next, God has showed me that continuing in this process is where I will be. I will be going on the world race again. This time I will be a squad leader. That means more responsibility and more authority. If I think about it too long I become overwhelmed, so I stop, realizing that God would not take me down this path if He did not want me here.
I have been reading the blogs of the squad I will be leading and I am excited. They are amazing! Their lives testify to the greatness of God. Where they have come from and where they are going makes me want to dive in deep in this next great adventure of my life! Getting to know them, challenging them, encouraging them, and walking alongside them through the ups and downs is what I will be doing next.
Please pray for me as I get ready to go back out on the race again. Thank you all for your prayers and all your support!!!
