History of LAIM

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 of Mexico. 

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. 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 in Latin America by evangelical Indians for the evangelization or advancement of their own indigenous 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. 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; we make ourselves available in a long term commitment to any specific community with which we become involved.

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