Q: Dr. Kietzman, as president of Latin American Indian Ministries (LAIM), will you please share with us the
main purpose of this new ministry?
A: Latin American Indian Ministries is designed to be a networking structure to encourage organizations that
are formed by Indians in Latin America in the evangelization of their own Indian communities, and to
represent them as a group to potential supporting constituencies elsewhere in the world.
The hand of the tribal churches must be strengthened by demonstrating a visible linkage with the international evangelical
community.
Q: Will you please describe the current conditions in Latin America which have necessitated the formation of
LAIM?
A: Many of the Indian communities in Mexico, Peru, Colombia and elsewhere face critical situations. In
addition to a general situation of poverty, much persecution of evangelical Indians has occurred over the past
two decades.
The insurrection now going on in the Mexican state of Chiapas has brought many of the inequities and injustices of their situation to
the attention of the nation and the world. Violent persecution will tend to increase because of
the polarization triggered by the Chiapas confrontation.
Q: How has the evangelical community been doing in the face of this persecution?
A: While the churches have been able to organize along denominational lines, in some tribal areas, this has
not necessarily been an effective protection against persecution. The presence of Wycliffe Bible
translators/SIL had been a positive factor in stemming unfortunate conflicts of various sorts. Now, with the
translation job completed, the churches left behind are fully exposed to a variety of pressures and
persecution, with little communication or understanding from the national church.
Q: What organizations are working with LAIM?
A: We've enlisted existing programs with Indian leadership participation and
some recognition and backing as a coalition of sponsoring organizations. In Mexico these include Centro Cultural Pro-Totonaco, Misión
Mazahua. CINSA (a council formed by 100 Mayan Indian pastors, representing five different
language groups and several denominations, trying to resolve the situation of their people in Chiapas) and CLADEC
(a missionary training program in Mexico City).
In the United States we are working with Totonac Bible Center, CHIEF (Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship), ASSIST (Aid to
Special Saints in Strategic Times), Inter-Mission International, World Link University, Health
Development International and Every Home for Christ.
Q: What specific programs has LAIM developed?
A: In Mexico, for example, we are working with Indian leaders from nine different tribes, all with organized
churches which are suffering difficulties and/or persecution. We are developing a national/Indian conference
to be held in Chiapas, to be followed by church-level seminars.
We also are involved in developing a program of training that will equip indigenous leaders to be more effective in administration, in
communication, and in village-level training and development efforts. The seminars in
themselves, by bringing Indian leaders together, will provide a point of encouragement, reinforcement and continued information transfer required
to have a vigorously growing church.
We're now programming one-day conferences in Indian areas, inviting national pastors and an equal number of Indian leaders. We
also are developing a one-day, congregational-level seminar on how to do evangelism and discipleship cross-culturally, pointing to
the Indian communities as a nearby needy target area. Because of the political tensions involved, we are working with nationals in
each country to head the effort.
Q: Are there other struggling, worthwhile programs that LAIM will support?
A: Yes, programs such as Bible institutes, pastoral leadership training, radio
programs broadcast in an Indian language, micro-economic development projects, literacy and publication and distribution of useful literature
and medical clinics.
Founder, Open Door Ministries
I am delighted to give an endorsement for the ministry of LAIM, because, for one, I have high regards for the founder and president Dr. Dale Kietzman. More importantly, I wholeheartedly support the work of LAIM in consolidating the gains of Christian evangelism in a very much secularized world as we prepare for the next round of confrontation, which will be a lot fiercer than with communism. I applaud LAIM's focus of training and discipling indigenous people.
Latin American Evangelist
The indigenous communities of Latin America for centuries have lived in the middle of adverse circumstances which have impeded their full development as people made in the "image and likeness of God." The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can make a permanent difference in their lives, which is why I support without reservation the good work that this ministry is developing.
Chairman, Mission America
Dale is one of the most faithful and effective Christian leaders I have ever known. God has used him significantly in many ministries over the years. However, he has had a special commitment to ministry with native Americans in Latin America. I joyfully recommend Dale and confidently endorse the vital work of Latin American Indian Ministries.
President, Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship
I thank God for the effective ministry of Dr. Dale Kietzman that is being carried on with our Native people in Latin America through LAIM. I hope that each one of you who hears about this work will pray and give support to this ministry.