Finding Your Fit
Choosing A Missions Organization
Here are some helpful questions to consider and discuss with your church as you explore mission agencies and opportunities. We've shared a little about how we approach these questions below as food for thought.
What is their theological orientation? How do they work with other denominations, ministries and mission organizations?
LAM is interdenominational. Our missionaries work side-by-side with workers from many evangelical denominations, ministries and mission organizations. We do, however, work to match our missionaries with ministries that are in harmony with their personal convictions.
What is the relationship with the national church and national leaders? Are nationals setting the agenda for ministry?
We want to support ministries where nationals are not just carrying on the vision handed over to them, but they are setting the vision and agenda from the beginning. Our missionaries work under the national leadership and guidance, at the invitation of that ministry.
What is their philosophy and approach to member care, both ongoing care and crisis management?
LAM has a member care department that coordinates and provides both ongoing member care and crisis management. We have a team of North American member care specialists and resources, as well as a growing network of in-country care options. We value our missionaries and want to support their emotional, spiritual and social well-being.
What is their vision for the next five years?
Check out the About Us section. Also explore our Focus section, looking at Emerging Missions, Equipping Latins, and Families in Crisis.
What does the organization say its weaknesses are? Are they open to change? Are they aware of where they need to grow and working to improve?
Please check out the About Us section, to learn more.
Who makes decisions? How are those decisions made?
To learn more about our leadership, please see Our Team.
How are missionaries supervised? Who does the supervising? Nationals? North Americans? From North America? From the site of ministry?
Most of our missionaries are supervised by national leaders in regards to their ministry. A written agreement is developed between the alliance ministry, the missionary and LAM to facilitate a clear understanding of roles and expectations and to prevent misunderstandings.
What's the role of women? How are couples and families viewed? How do they approach schooling for children?
Please see our "Questions about Service with LAM" for more information.
What kind of training is given to missionaries before they go to their place of service or when they return to the US?
LAM missionaries are trained and coached in fundraising upon appointment (acceptance). Once their support level reaches 60-80%, they attend three to four weeks of cross-cultural ministry training. And they will spend two days in Miami at our Missionary Service Office (MSO) as they deploy to their ministry site or language school. We ask our missionaries to stop at the MSO whenever they come back to US for informal debriefing and meetings with staff and member care.
How much language preparation does the agency allow or encourage the missionary candidate to have?
LAM prioritizes linguistic and cultural fluency for all our missionaries. Depending on the missionary's needs, often a missionary may spend six months to a year in language school.
What are my roles and responsibilities within the mission? How can I serve or help them?
What attracted me to this agency? Is this a good fit? Is God leading me here?
