Ilic, Aidan

Growing up in Indiana, Aidan learned the Bible stories about Jesus, God, His grace, and His everlasting love for us. He faced some difficult challenges during his middle and high school years, but through it all, God brought healing and renewed purpose to his life. Following his high school graduation, Aidan joined his brother on a men’s mission trip to Kenya. While sharing a message at a children’s home about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (and feeling scared and nervous), he saw how God was not only working in the hearts of the children but also his own.

A local pastor asked if he had ever considered ministry. At the time, Aidan’s answer was “no” because he thought his past disqualified him. But through encouragement and God’s undeniable grace, Aidan began to see his life in a new light. Now, Aidan is stepping forward in faith. This fall, he plans to attend Grace College in Warsaw, Indiana, to study Youth and Family Ministry. But first, God is calling him to an eight-week internship in Peru.

This summer, Aidan will serve in Pucallpa, the last reachable city by road before the start of the jungle, where many Indigenous communities are located. With over 310,000 residents, Pucallpa is a vibrant jungle city that serves as a gateway to the Amazon and the hub for SAM operations within the country. Living and working alongside seasoned missionaries, Aidan will explore diverse ministries, including ESL, children’s ministry, youth ministry, sports outreach, ministry to the elderly, and evangelistic outreach programs.

SAM’s first missionaries in Peru traveled up the Amazon River to Iquitos in 1926 and began ministering to the unreached people groups of the Ucayali River basin. Today, SAM’s ministries include SAM Academy (1st-12th school for missionary kids), SAMAIR, Latidos de Esperanza (Heartbeats of Hope) Pregnancy Center, and Refugio de Esperanza (school for individuals with disabilities).

Aidan is most excited to serve in children’s and sports ministry, showing the love of Christ to others through his life. He wants to see God’s Kingdom work and build friendships in another part of the world. He imagines new friendships that will change his life, his perspective on God, and His intimate relationship with each of us.  Partner with Aidan today to enable his ministry participation and invest in his missionary journey.