About AIM
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Early Gospel Outreach AIM is
a conservative Evangelical organisation whose foundations go back to 1905. In
November 1894 the Petersham Christian Endeavour Society erected a house at La
Perouse near the mouth of historic Botany Bay where Miss J Watson lived and
worked among the local indigenous people. Ill health forced an early
resignation and Miss Retta Dixon took up the ministry in 1896. By 1899 work
had spread to four other centres and the New South Wales Aborigines Mission
was formed. In
1905 Retta Dixon moved to the Singleton district in the Hunter Valley, where
a local committee formed the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia. The
first AIM centre was at St Clair and a children’s home was opened at
Singleton. An out-station was established on the Karuah River near Port
Stephens. Opportunities
for ministry and numbers of workers expanded rapidly and AIM was soon
reaching out to many parts of NSW. By 1909 Retta Dixon had married Leonard
Long and, following a survey of the needs, AIM had commenced work in
Queensland, with a centre established at Herberton in the far north. During
the 1930s AIM began work in the "Top End" of the Northern
Territory. An Indigenous Church From
the very beginning ministry was aimed at establishing Aboriginal Christians
to lead and guide their own people. With the benefit of hindsight, AIM would
recognise that hurt was caused through continuing for too long with
paternalistic attitudes. Despite difficulties many churches have grown up
which, whilst not exclusively Aboriginal, do have strong indigenous social
and cultural perspectives. In the
eastern states there are long established Christian fellowships. Church
structure has strengthened through establishing the AIM Church Council, a
council of representatives of indigenous churches. This AIM Church Council
now takes responsibility for such things as the appointment of pastors, care
of property, and oversight of leadership training, together with men’s,
women’s and youth fellowships. In the
Northern Territory and Western Queensland most of those ministered to are
tribal Aborigines, for whom English is often a third or fourth language. They
often live in difficult circumstances in isolated places with little or no
resources. A number of the larger communities where AIM ministers have social
degradation brought about by the wide abuse of alcohol. AIM
continues to place its major emphasis on preaching, teaching and applying of
the Word of God. Through developing good living skills, better health and
education, and ability to cope with temptation and trouble, AIM is seeking to
build a sound Aboriginal Christian community. Missionaries
are placed at major centres like Darwin and Alice Springs, and in Aboriginal
communities, and outback towns. Some undertake a local pastoral/teaching role
and are helping to evangelise, to disciple believers, and to develop
leadership and a local indigenous church. Others engage in wide-ranging
itinerant ministries, visiting small groups and families and travel many
thousands of kilometres every year. Literature For
more than thirty years AIM has provided literature specifically designed for
use on the field through its subsidiary Mission Publications of Australia.
Aboriginal Christians are asking for good material in Simplified English. AIM
is currently working with others on a long-term project to develop a
Simplified English Version of the Scriptures. Today and Tomorrow As
with many contemporary mission societies, AIM needed to restructure and
refocus for the future. A change of name reflects changes that have taken
place. Whilst retaining the initials AIM the organisation is now known as
Australian Indigenous Ministries. "Inland" was no longer
appropriate with current ministries in urban areas and islands to the north.
"Ministries" was preferred to "Mission" reflecting more
of the present reality of working with Aboriginal Christian groups, and because the word
"mission" was strongly and negatively associated with government
institutions in outback areas. AIM
retains its emphasis on sending out full-time workers in evangelising,
discipling, training and counselling work, ministering the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Today AIM also seeks to work with the local Aboriginal communities
and government agencies to help with the provision of services to relieve
some of the desperate situations. Health care and education remain areas of
great need amongst indigenous Australians. AIM appoints TEAM Partners
(Associate Workers) to work, for example, in government jobs as doctors and
nurses. Such Christian service with a genuine long-term commitment to the
people is greatly appreciated. AIM workers in Aboriginal communities
encourage and support local Christians and have many opportunities for
sharing the Gospel through their many contacts. There
remains much to be done. Aboriginal Christians from many parts of the nation
are asking for help in taking the Gospel to their own people. The emphasis is
on partnership in this work, with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal working
alongside each other to develop a sound Bible-teaching ministry as a
foundation for a strong Church. Providing
and maintaining ministry, especially to isolated areas, involves great
commitment in personnel and resources. There is a continuing need for
specially gifted and qualified people to take on this ministry, coupled with
the need for the ongoing support of the wider Christian community in this
important field of mission in our own "backyard". If you
would like more information, or would like to know how you might help then
contact the AIM office. (
Contact
details) OBJECTS and STATEMENT of FAITH Objects a)
Facilitate the spreading of the Christian Gospel to Indigenous Australians
through outreach, discipling and counseling. b)
Bring Aboriginal believers to Christian maturity.
It may
be appropriate to undertake holistic ministries such as education, training,
development, relief and care programs to help achieve the above objects. Statement of Faith AIM is
an Interdenominational, Protestant and Evangelical organisation affirming the
following truths: AIM
warmly embraces the truth of the Word of God as expressed in historical
Christian documents such as the Apostles Creed, the 1689 Baptist Confession
and the Westminster Confession of Faith. |
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Where we’ve come from |
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Our Objects and Statement of Faith |