South America Mission, Inc.

Summary

South America Mission, Inc. ("SAM") is dedicated to establishing the Church of Jesus Christ in South America by planting and nurturing churches, training leaders, and developing church associations. SAM operates ministries in five countries in South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Paraguay and Peru. SAM believe that South America must be won to Christ by South Americans and that the only way there will be enough witnessing believers to fulfill the vision is through the discipling and training of local Christians that God is placing in leadership in the churches. Therefore, SAM will focus most of its resources on the discipling and training of leaders from within those churches who will in turn repeat the process until growing, witnessing churches are multiplied across the continent. SAM emphasizes smaller, highly contextualized, local training programs which provide theological education as an essential part of the larger process of leadership development.

This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

South America Mission, Inc. ("SAM") is dedicated to establishing the Church of Jesus Christ in South America by planting and nurturing churches, training leaders, and developing church associations. SAM operates ministries in five countries in South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Paraguay and Peru. SAM was formed by a group of Christians concerned about the spiritual needs of the Indians of South America. Later this purpose was broadened to include the Latinos and other residents of the South American countries in which its missionaries minister. SAM believe that South America must be won to Christ by South Americans and that the only way there will be enough witnessing believers to fulfill the vision is through the discipling and training of local Christians that God is placing in leadership in the churches. Therefore, SAM will focus most of its resources on the discipling and training of leaders from within those churches who will in turn repeat the process until growing, witnessing churches are multiplied across the continent. SAM also believe that in the early stages, leaders are best developed in the context in which they will minister. Therefore, SAM emphasizes smaller, highly contextualized, local training programs which provide theological education as an essential part of the larger process of leadership development. SAM believe that while Biblical leadership requires knowledge and skills, it is ultimately based on character. Therefore, the organization is committed to structured discipleship models which faithfully and effectively impart knowledge of the Bible while facilitating teacher-disciple relationships in the context of life and ministry.

This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

South America Mission uses the following to express its vision:

Our vision is to see the Church of Jesus Christ established so that thousands of local, witnessing communities of believers are maturing in their own knowledge and faith, while working to ensure that everyone in South America has multiple opportunities to hear a clear, meaningful and persuasive presentation of the gospel from within their own ethnic or social group.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

The South America Mission currently has over 120 missionaries serving in five different countries of South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Their specific ministries vary, but all focus on achieving the clear purpose of SAM: to proclaim and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in South America. Some missionaries minister the gospel in tribal settings and others in the metropolitan centers. Some missionaries fly airplanes, teach school children, or implement efficient agricultural practices. Other missionaries pastor churches, lead small group Bible studies, or distribute Christian literature.

Present Ministries:

• Colombia - church development, education, leadership training, radio, ESL.
• Bolivia - church planting and development, discipleship, medical, leadership training, missions training, aviation, MK education, youth work.
• Brazil - tribal, leadership development, agricultrue, discipleship, medical, children, MK education, deaf, construction.
• Peru - leadership development, theological training, aviation, MK education, church development, discipleship.
• Paraguay - leadership training, discipleship, national pastoral training, evangelism, prayer movement, children.

  Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

  SAM subscribes to the following doctrinal statement:
  
  1.Holy Scriptures: We believe that the Bible, consisting only of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is inerrant in the original manuscripts. It alone is the infallible and authoritative Word of God for all matters of faith, conduct and doctrine.
  
  2.God: We believe in the triune God, Creator and sovereign Lord of all that exists. He is infinite in His knowledge, presence, power and wisdom; perfect in love, holiness and justice. God is truly one, yet eternally self-existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead is equal in being, nature and power.
  
  3.The Person and Work of Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary at the appointed time. He was fully God and fully man without sin. He was crucified, dead, buried and on the third day He rose bodily. The shedding of His blood is sufficient for the salvation of all mankind. Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for His people and one day He will return bodily in power and great glory.
  
  4.The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is Himself God, the third person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. At the moment of conversion the Spirit regenerates believers, indwells them and baptizes them into the body of Christ. He is given as a guarantee of their full inheritance. He imparts gifts to each Christian, as He chooses, for the edification of the Church. He fills and empowers believers as they submit to Him.
  
  5.Human Nature: We believe Adam and Eve were created by a direct act of God in His own image. When they disobeyed God, they were judged and punished with physical and spiritual death. As descendants of Adam, all human beings inherit this sinful condition and its consequences, are guilty before God and are totally unable to approach God or be reconciled to Him on their own merit.
  
  6.Salvation: We believe that salvation, found in Christ alone, provides forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God. It was purchased by the sufficient substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It is offered by grace to all people and must be personally received by repentance and faith as God's gift, apart from any human effort. In salvation, all believers receive the righteousness of Christ and eternal life. True believers are eternally secure and persevere. Their lives are to be characterized by spiritual growth.
  
  7.The Church: We believe that the Church is divinely ordained of God to fulfill His mission into he world. This Church, under the headship of Christ, is expressed in local congregations of fellowshipping believers committed to worship, encouragement, instruction and the making of disciples. The Church is called by God to evangelize every nation and people and to be salt and light to this lost world.
  
  8.Satan: We believe in the reality of Satan, a created being, the enemy of God and mankind. Although powerful in this age, he is doomed by the sacrificial death of Christ.
  
  9.Future Events: We believe in the visible and personal return of Jesus Christ in order to culminate history. At the appointed time, the dead shall be raised and all mankind shall appear before the Lord to give an account. Believers in Christ will be transformed and enjoy everlasting life in the presence of their Lord. Unbelievers will be condemned to everlasting, conscious punishment, forever separated from God.

  History [ Back to top ]

  South America Mission began in 1914 with an emphasis on reaching the tribal peoples of inland South America with the gospel. Rural and urban ministries grew as missionaries sought to witness to Christ in their evolving contexts. Over the last 90 years, hundreds of missionaries have invested their lives and talents under the conviction that Jesus Christ is real hope for all nations. Today South America Mission's focus and passion are unwavering. The tremendous spiritual heritage they have continues to spur them to seek God's glory in the nations of South America.

  Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

  This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

  Research Analysis

  Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

  Transparency Grade of : B
  Criteria category	Grade	Other Comments
  Timeliness:	70	11/16/2011 9:10:54 AM: Organization made financial information available greater than 7 ½ months.
  Financial Information:	100
  Foundational Clarity:
  Level of Cooperation:

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  MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

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