AIM Global Network of STM Opportunities

January 29, 2006

We know that short term missions (STM) change lives. Current market size is estimated to be 4 million a year. People participate in growing numbers because of their impact. More need to participate, but are limited by cost and availability of opportunities that are a good fit.

AIM will address this need by creating a database that accelerates the process of STM disintermediation. More and more youth pastors (YPs) are organizing their own trips through their own networks. We give them the opportunity to post their own opportunities on line so that other groups can join them and they can bring costs down. In so doing, we can ensure the standards of excellence and forward our vision for long-term discipleship.

The development of such a global network could help Christians around the world get out of their comfortable pews and start living a faith that is more active. It could link Christians seeking STM opportunities in a thousand different ways, and in so doing, usher in an era of much greater outreach, helping to redefine the way missions is done.

This article helps explain the technological dimensions of the process: http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/6228

Value Chain

There are 5 value added areas in a STM:

• Matching/sales
• Customer service/training
• Project setup
• Leadership
• Financial administration

Anyone should be able to offer any combination of these assuming they meet certain standards. Currently they cost AIM approx. $12-24/participant to produce.

AIM’s Niche

AIM’s niche would be offering to:

1. Match up groups with opportunities and value-added services.
2. Like a Coke bottler, offer its own packages, as it currently does.
3. Train and certify leadership.

Example

We give the groups the option to sponsor their own trips thru our networks. The incentive: we give them big discounts for each group that goes and they learn how to do a local mission. for example: Randy S. (take Melissa out of the equation for the time being) goes thru our training and offers a trip in Denver. When YP #1 calls up asking for a Denver project,wesend their group of 20 kidsthere. Randy and his team put on the project according to our standards of excellence. We charge the normal price and Randy's group pockets credits for maybe a third the cost ($100 X 20 = $2000). This they apply toward their trip to New Mexico Native Am. If they take the same 20 students, then their effective cost is $220 a student. YP #1 sees what Randy has done and signs up the next year to do their own project in Kalamazoo, MI. When YP #2 signs up, YP #1's group gets the same discount.

Benefit to YPs like Randy - they greatly reduce the cost of their trips. And students get the experience of sponsoring a ministry. As greater cost pressures and accountability come on groups, they’ll be pushed in this direction.

Benefit to AIM

We exercise quality control and spread our vision of discipleship much faster. One other thing: We build the showing of a video into the process that shares our vision and asks them to consider Next Step. And we scholarship their first student to go on Ambassador project (asking that student to raise some funds that can scholarship the next person). If each YP sends just one kid on an FYM, you can see the power of this. Ultimate goal: 100,000 students using this network model, 5,000 of whom engage in the FYM program.

Getting Started, a TO DO list

1. Mike compiles an open-source data base that asks those interested in offering projects the opportunity to post and advertise their opportunity. Good opportunities AIM can cherry-pick. Once the database has reached critical mass, offer it to YPs in exchange for either adding their own information or else a membership fee.

2. Offer the same data-base for leadership. Leaders post their competencies and what they charge.

3. Compile a database of STM-planning tools to offer as incentive for membership.

4. Determine critical mass – the tipping point.

5. After achieving critical mass, offer membership to the masses.

6. Sell membership to denominations first – denomination by denomination. Can keep it closed to their own members.