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What We Do

Questions About Serving with LAM

How long or short a term can I serve for?
We categorize service into three sections—Short-Term, Limited-Term and Long-Term.

What's "Short-term"?
Short-term is two months to one year. Check out our short-term program for more details.

What's "Limited-term"?
A 1-3 year commitment. It really has more to do with "intent." A limited-termer has definite plans to return to their home country after a period of time. The careful screening and attention beforehand is the same as for the long-term process. A "limited-termer" can become "long-term."

What's "Long-term?"
Long-term is a career choice with no definite end in sight.

How does LAM involve a candidate's home church in the application and candidacy process for long term service?
LAM is not the "sending body" for missionaries. As an agency, we facilitate connections. The local church is the Biblical sending body for mission work. Therefore, we prioritize partnership with the local sending church throughout the mobilization process. We begin to forge a relationship with the local pastor whenever someone starts the application process. Within the process, we also evaluate the needs and concerns of each family member, prioritizing the health of marriages and families. We also recognize the unique needs and concerns of singles in the process and provide appropriate nurture. We recognize the fundamental importance of ministry assignment to the candidacy process. We want to insure that we make a positive match. We prioritize responding to the stated needs and concerns of our Latin ministry associates. And we promote self-knowledge and understanding for healthy self-assessment among our candidates, involving them in all decision-making that affects their lives.

We value the integrity of a comprehensive application process wherein a candidate's individual call is confirmed by scripture and the wise counsel of leadership. What does that mean? It means the pieces of the application process (a variety of written materials, phone and face-to-face interviews, personal references, independent psychological analysis, health check, etc.) help us get to know candidates and vice-versa. It means we address the whole person. We evaluate the physical, psychological, emotional, mental, social, familial and spiritual aspects of candidates. It means we affirm the essential role of the local church.

What formal academic prep do I need?
It is the conviction of the LAM that adequate training is essential for the Lord's work, but because of the wide variety of ministries in which LAM personnel are invited to engage, no uniform requirements can be laid down. Nevertheless, it is expected that each candidate for service as a missionary will have Biblical orientation and preparation adequate for his/her intended service, obtained in a theological seminary, graduate theological school, Bible college or its equivalent. Each missionary is also expected to have academic or technical preparation in a college, university, seminary, technical school or elsewhere that will qualify him/her to serve in his/her job effectively. It can be a great advantage if, when practical, part of this academic and technical preparation is received in Latin America. Missionaries may also be requested, after a period of service, to take further education and/or training as part of their continuing missionary service.

Special consideration shall be given to personnel who are "limited-term" or "short-term" in regards to requirements for formal Bible training. The requirement for Bible training is based upon the specific ministry under consideration, the length of ministry commitment, the individual's ministry experience, and his/her general Bible knowledge. "Finishers" (persons who are entering ministry after retiring from a career) applying for ministry service are considered on the same basis.

What kind of cross-cultural experiences do I need?
If a candidate/appointee is expected to serve eventually in a cross-cultural situation, he or she must demonstrate a genuine interest in missionary work and give evidence of having been used of God in his or her own culture before beginning to serve in another. Because of the challenges of cultural adaptation, however, often the LAM has found that younger candidates or candidates who have had one or more cross-cultural experiences adapt more readily to a new culture than others. Practical experience and maturity that come with age and/or length of time in one's area of expertise are other factors that can contribute to the adaptability of the candidate to a new culture, and often mitigate other considerations. On the other hand, there are times when these factors pose problems for cross-cultural adaptation. The LAM is very concerned with appropriate placement of its missionaries with Ministry Associates and may employ certain testing or measurement tools to ascertain if cultural adaptability is likely to be a concern for the future missionary.

How does LAM deal with divorced candidates?
The LAM interprets the teaching of the Scriptures to hold that divorce may be a serious disqualification for Christian leadership, and would, by necessity, look very closely at the application of candidates who have been divorced, permanently separated, or deserted, whether or not they have remarried, to discover if there are mitigating circumstances. In such cases, each would be considered on its own merits. It is recognized that LAM Ministry Associates may also have guidelines to be considered and followed as a specific assignment is contemplated.

Does LAM accept folks with debt? If so, what are the conditions?
LAM does not normally accept candidates with debt. However, we evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis. We differentiate "acceptable debt" (investments like education and a mortgage) from "unacceptable debt" (consumer debt, such as credit cards). We look on candidates with "acceptable debt" more favorably if credit history reflects consistency of payments and a responsible management of funds. Within the evaluation process, we also address the legitimacy or advisability of asking supporters to pay off debt. Some churches view payment of debt as a reasonable part of financial support, while others ask missionaries to work to lower debt before deployment. We respect the counsel, leadership and position of the local church regarding indebtedness.

Where will our funds come from?
LAM is a faith mission. Missionaries depend on God's direction and the faithful giving of supporting churches and individuals to carry out their ministry. We confirm that candidates have raised a sufficient level of financial support before they depart for ministry.

A breakdown of gross support includes Allowance (personal take-home), Social Security, health insurance, pension, Special Assistance (small in-house emergency slush fund), and Administration (12%).

Our support plan is quite flexible, with many different levels, depending on your particular needs as a family, cost of living of the country in which you'll be living, ministry needs, etc. We require that you raise 100% of the established goal before we release you to leave. We do that because once you get to the field, we guarantee the set monthly amount that has been established, even though donations/receipts will vary up and down from month to month. If your balance begins to drop over a period of time, we might recommend a furlough or deputation (fund raising) trip back to the States, or put you on a lower level temporarily until your reserve can be built back up.

I already have a 403b, can LAM's pension plan be setup to work with it?
Yes, you can continue to contribute to your 403b through our pension plan.

Does LAM relate to any tentmakers?
The Latin America Mission encourages innovative alternatives for raising financial support, deploying missionaries representing four types of "tentmakers." The most common case is the employment of the spouse, which provides supplemental income often used for children's education. Many LAM missionaries receive some compensation from their associate ministry-seminaries, universities, schools, churches and national missions-that we factor into their total compensation package. A few LAM missionaries hold part-time jobs providing supplemental support, generating contacts for evangelism and discipleship and opening doors for ministry. There are also several LAM missionaries that came to the Mission with partial financial support from other sources such as retirement and inheritance. In each case, missionaries make full disclosure of the tent-making activity to the Mission and their associate ministries, and full member care and Mission services are provided.

Does LAM have any kind of orientation?
We require active participation in a full orientation by candidates before acceptance as a missionary. Orientation happens twice a year: third week of January and August. Orientation will acquaint you with our history, our vision for the future, our approach to ministry and the nuts-and-bolts of service with the LAM. We think you'll find it an interesting, informative and rewarding week. Intense, perhaps, but enjoyable.

If I want to serve long term, how will I learn the language?
Language School. Most folks head to the Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica. It's a good school, with a good history, with good results, that exists for the express purpose of preparing missionaries for Christian ministry. So there's the helpful rah-rah-rah attitude on the part of teachers and staff to help folks accomplish language learning well and to encourage and counsel them along the way. One of the reasons we prefer the Institute in Costa Rica is that we can continue to involve newcomers in LAM's ongoing Orientation throughout their language-study time.

What kind of training is provided by LAM? What should I already have?
LAM takes seriously the need to train individuals for missionary training. We believe a candidate's home church should provide initial levels of discipleship, training in godliness and experience in ministry. Recognizing that preparation needs differ for each candidate, we then work to form individual training plans for new personnel. These plans reflect candidates' needs for language acquisition, appropriate theological education for their area of service, specific ministry training and individual counseling. In addition, we present short- and long-term Orientation schools that include cross-cultural training, personal growth seminars, spiritual nurture and small group interaction. As noted above, we also offer a year-long cultural and ministry orientation for those candidates who attend the Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica, directed by an LAM missionary. And LAM's 14-month Spearhead program—a front-line, hands-on ministry with local churches under the mentorship of national pastors with training in language, culture and ministry skills—serves as preparation for many of our younger missionaries.

What ministry committments are expected from each spouse?
The classification of missionary applies to both spouses. Both submit forms. Both are viewed as full members of the mission. We require a "work covenant" with an associate ministry of only one spouse, though each could sign one if they so desired and time permitted. The LAM is firmly committed to the health of missionary marriages and families, and if the wife—for instance because the children are still at home—feels she has all she can manage with home/husband/children, we encourage her to consider that her primary ministry. MKs sometimes feel neglected when Dad and Mom spend most of their time "in the work." They need to learn the balance as well as their parents do (they obviously don't rule the roost!), but on the other hand, what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own kids.

LAM does not put restrictions on the kind of ministry women can pursue. Their level of committment depends on the particular woman, on how she can adequately care for home and family (and her own health), on the ways in which God has gifted her and where her interest and His leading takes her. A great deal of missionary work over the last century would not have been done had it not been for dedicated women. The LAM, and especially the member-care section of Personnel, tries to keep close contact with all our missionaries to encourage them, to carry them through rough spots, to help them make decisions or changes that might be wise in preserving the abovementioned health and strength of missionary families.

We have been homeschooling our kids. How will that change?
We do not want to discourage you if it's something you feel strongly about and are good at. The method of education you choose for your children at any point during your missionary career is up to you. However, during your Spanish-language study, it's important that both partners have the freedom to fully invest in the process. How well you get the language from the very beginning is going to color the rest of your missionary career. We want to make sure we get you off to a good start. The Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica runs a school (Sojourn Academy) for the children of its language students (missionaries from 80-100 different mission agencies). Your kids will fit in well there at least during your first year of language school.

What about singles? What place do they have with LAM?
We affirm the place of single missionaries. We celebrate their freedom to serve in significant ways that married couples cannot. At the same time, we recognize they have needs and concerns unique to singleness; we provide appropriate nurture and care.

What is LAM's policy on furloughs?
Furlough planning is pretty flexible. We recommend that you plan one at least every three years. You need to touch base with family/friends/supporters. Your supporters are "investing" in you and your ministry. It's only fair to report to the investor on his/her investment-regularly by mail and from time to time in person.

Can our families visit us while we are on the field?
Family visiting you on the field is a great plus. We definitely encourage it!

Will there ever be a time when LAM would change my ministry assignment?
LAM functions under a unique modus operandi of assigning each missionary to work under the direction of a local grassroots ministry. We work with legally established national ministries and churches that have a clear evangelical identity and a qualified, responsible structure. There are no field directors in the LAM. We relate directly to national church outreach, assigning all resources (human and material) to the direct supervision of national leadership. So, any rotation of direct ministry responsibilities would happen within the context of responding to leadership of the associate ministry with which you would work. LAM doesn't just randomly change your ministry. In addition, we always involve our missionaries in any decision-making that affects their lives.

We wish to serve in a "hot zone", but we are concerned about our personal safety. What does the LAM do to ensure our safety?
First and foremost, we pray a lot. And we trust in the sovereign hand of God. At the same time, we use wisdom, discernment and the wise counsel of lots of folks when it comes to making ministry assignments, etc. The Lord has watched over us over the years. In 80 years of history we've only had one martyr. And we've been blessed to avoid kidnappings, etc. during the past few tumultuous years in Colombia and other areas of the Americas. We also have a crisis plan/team and consulting help for any problems that could arrive. Be aware, however, that the LAM will not negotiate with terrorists.

What about ongoing spiritual growth?
This comes in a couple different areas. First and foremost, we expect our missionaries to be actively involved in a local church where their primary spiritual nurture will happen. In addition, we have a Member Care department-including a Pastor to Missionaries-available for encouragement, counsel and-when needed-intervention. They check on our folks-recommending different sorts of actions when necessary-furlough, a rest plan, etc. Our missionaries participate in at least one retreat with Member Care each year.

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