SAM began its ministry in 1914 as an initiative to reach the unreached indigenous groups of South America. To this day, we maintain this goal and continue to develop our legacy and relationships with the indigenous communities.
Within the indigenous church, there is a hunger for growth. The indigenous communities have a great need for financial stability, medical resources, and life skills, but they also seek theological training. Across our fields, we have a variety of contexts through which we engage the indigenous communities and the growing indigenous church.
Brazil: Ami Center
Ami is a discipleship center that envisions seeing a dynamic church in every tribe in Brazil. Indigenous students travel to the center for 8 months out of the year to live, study, and serve. The Center focuses on the formal teaching of scripture, contextualized ministry opportunities, and sending students and missionaries out to develop other projects in Brazil. Ami also participates in CONPLEI, the National Council of Indigenous Evangelical Pastors and Leaders. Candidates interested in serving at Ami must have experience in pastoral care or training and should have Portuguese fluency or be prepared to participate in language study before beginning ministry.
To learn more about serving at the Ami center, start a conversation today: Preliminary Information Form
Bolivia: Indigenous Discipleship Center
Raphá is the indigenous pastoral organization in Bolivia, who we partner with to serve the indigenous communities in eastern Bolivia. Currently, we seek to establish a discipleship center near Chochis, Bolivia and provide pastoral training, discipleship, medical care and life skills to the indigenous and rural communities. Candidates should have a background in discipleship or pastoral training and care. Spanish fluency is required; non-fluent candidates will participate in language study before beginning ministry.
To learn more about serving at the Indigenous Discipleship Center, start a conversation today: Preliminary Information Form
SAM Bolivia’s Indigenous Rural Outreach team also makes yearly short-term trips to the river communities in Bolivia’s Amazon Basin each summer (May/June) to provide medical care and relief. If you are interested in serving for a two-week trip as a doctor or medical assistant, contact us today at mobilization@southamercamission.org