Serve Long Term

Coordinating a summer camp in rural Pacific Mexico.

Teaching seminary classes in the mountains of Caracas, Venezuela.

Sharing in Bible study with women escaping the world of prostitution in Costa Rica.

Mentoring children living on the streets of Medellín, Colombia.

Helping a Latin missionary in Mexico City to go to other parts of Latin America and even to the Muslim world.

Teaching fifth grade at a school for national and expatriate students in San José, Costa Rica.

Doing surgery in a small medical center in the rural mountains of Honduras.

Organizing social service agencies throughout Brazil to unite as they combat the problem of human trafficking.

Writing and publishing books, magazines, and articles for a Latin audience, whether on theology, justice, compassion, or Christian living.

Shooting and producing videos telling the stories of how God is at work throughout the Latin world.

1: Apply

When we receive an initial contact from potential candidates, our Mobilization Team will send a link to LAM's online missionary application. It includes questions on personal background, employment history, vision for ministry, and doctrinal convictions. We will also ask for your academic transcripts, resume, and reference contacts.

2: References

LAM will contact those references to complete a recommendation form. We may also follow-up with a phone call if it seems helpful.

3: Application Review

Upon receipt of your application and references, LAM will do an initial application review. We may also contact you for a phone interview to get to know you better and ensure your eligibility and fit with LAM.

4: Invitation for Interview and Assessments

Once your eligibility for placement is determined, LAM will invite you for an Interview and Assessment visit. If you accept, we will send you a few additional materials to be completed prior to your visit.

5: Tentative Ministry Placement Communication

After the Application Review, LAM will begin to work with you and our Alliance Ministries to solidify your potential ministry assignment, if one has not already been chosen.

6: Background Check

We will perform a background check prior to your coming for an interview.

7: Interview and Assessments in Miami

You will spend a day and a half interviewing with the staff at our Miami Service Office. You will also meet with our Member Care Team to review your assessments, join us in our weekly chapel and prayer time, and learn more about LAM on the whole. We look forward to getting to know you.

8: Final Review

Within one week of your interview visit, we will notify you of your official appointment status with Latin America Mission.

What's next? Check out Getting to the Field.

From Appointment to Deployment

After being appointed as an LAM missionary, your exciting and challenging journey will begin well before you move to another country. Here's what to expect.

Deputation Training

Within four to six weeks of your appointment, we ask that you enroll in a three-week support raising training via video chat. After that, you will have weekly coaching until your support is fully raised.

Deputation

Because we care about making missionary service sustainable and setting our missionaries up for success, LAM requires that 100 percent of the agreed-upon level of financial support be raised before deployment to Language School or the mission field. You will be expected to raise the specified support, travel expense, pre-field training, language school and other costs of induction into your work.

Individual Preparation Needs

Preparation needs differ for each candidate. LAM may also require: additional theological education for a particular area of service, specific ministry training, individual counseling, or language school.

Ministry Agreement

LAM works directly with the national Alliance Ministry where you will serve, assigning human and material resources to build healthy working relationships. Each missionary, then, works under the direction of a local grassroots ministry. A work contract will be made between LAM and the national organization overseeing your ministry. We work to confirm a “good fit” and to clearly communicate expectations and responsibilities on the front end, to prevent future "surprises."

Vision Trip

In most cases, we will coordinate a trip to visit your potential ministry during your deputation.

Pre-Field Training

LAM missionaries will be assigned appropriate Pre-Field Training, depending on their background and experience. Most missionaries will attend a four-week pre-deployment family training once their support level reaches between 60 and 80 percent. The cost is built into a missionary's support goal.

Additional training is also available for:

• Language acquisition – tools to assist in learning the target language
• Sharpening interpersonal skills
• Facilitating church planting movements