The organization now known as Latin American Indian Ministries began in 1972
as the Totonac Bible Center, Inc. At that time, its primary goal was to support the
work of Manuel Arenas, the gifted Totonac Indian who was the principal translation helper for Herman Aschmann in his early translation
efforts among the Highland Totonac people. After having gained an excellent education in the United States and Germany, Manuel determined to establish a school among his own people. The Centro Cultural Pro-Totonaco in La Union, Puebla, is a witness to his vision.
Over the years, Manuel tried in various ways to expand his vision to all the tribal groups of Mexico. He organized three different consultations of Christian leaders from other tribes. The first was held at the Totonac Center, the others in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, as he wanted to attract more of the pastors from those areas. He also opened his school to students from other tribes.
After Manuel's death in 1992, Dale Kietzman became president of the Totonac Bible Center board in the United States. Increasingly, the support activity focused on other tribes, following Manuel's vision. As a consequence, in 1996, the Board voted to change the name of the corporation to Latin American Indian Ministries (LAIM).
LAIM is now designed as a networking structure to encourage organizations formed by evangelical Indians for the evangelization or advancement of their own native communities, as well as to represent these groups to potential outside supporting constituencies.
Our ministry goal is to be a facilitator to the ministry goals of indigenous organizations. We are a "Barnabas" to their efforts. This removes us from direct ministry. We do not send personnel to be doers of ministry; rather we help, guide, and support their efforts. We are always available as mentors to the Indian leadership; this is a long term commitment for any specific community with which we become involved.
Indian leaders are slowly developing confidence in the work of LAIM. Through regional conferences, they are forming intertribal links and are learning from programs that have been successful in other places. In fact, there are many successful native ministries using varying approaches, such as the Misión Mazahua in the state of Mexico; or the intertribal council of evangelical Indians of Chiapas, known by the acronym CINSA; or the Berea Institute, an extension training program among the two million Quiché people of Guatemala; or the burgeoning Quechua Evangelical Church of Peru, a completely indigenous movement. Each serves as a model for others to follow.
We do hear a cry for help from these Native American churches in Latin America. As fellow members of the family of God, we have a responsibility to respond to the needs of others, "...especially to those of the Family of God."
In the case of the Indians of Latin America, the cry is: "Give us assistance in ways that will strengthen our ability to make our own way. Help us give our children hope for a better tomorrow."