Moving On

[Katie]

Throughout my time in AIM, I've been frequently reminded that for most people, AIM is not only an end, but also a means to other things God has in the future. Being involved on an AIM team or going on a mission trip is a valuable experience in itself, but it also helps prepare you for service and leadership and just living for God in the rest of your life.

It looks like most people on this board are still actively involved with AIM, but I know there are a few (like me) who have started to move on to other things... perhaps to other ministries, or just to college, career, and all the joys of "adult" life. And all of us have had to take what we've learned from AIM and apply it to other areas - coming off a mission trip or even just a weekly practice, and live life at home with your family with new lessons in mind.

I'm curious to hear from you: how has being involved with AIM prepared you for the other things God has brought into your life? What lessons have you taken from AIM and applied in other areas? What are challenges you've faced in moving on from AIM, and how have you tackled them?

[Tim]

Thanks for starting this thread Katie! I hope we get some more posts on here. I do think there are many already in this process and others who will be. What a great opportunity to share what we are learning as we allow AIM to be a springboard, launching discipled youth/adults into God's kingdom work all over the place.

So, who will share first? I know from the member lists that there are a couple of ya'll out there that are at least roughly in this context. How about you share your story so far?

[clarwen90]

Katie, this is exactly where I am in life!

Throughout high school, I threw myself wholeheartedly into AIM, hoping that this was where God wanted me to serve. And though I did serve there for 4 years, it became clear to me that God was using AIM as only a training tool for some other ministry in my life.

As I look back, I clearly see many areas of learning and growth that came about because of being on an AIM team. First off – AIM was instrumental in challenging me to grow spiritually during high school. I don’t know if it was solely being involved with AIM, but I do know that the year I started on our team was the same year that I went from being a nominal Christian to someone who was passionate about loving and serving Him.

Using AIM, God planted a passion for discipleship which has carried on through college (discipling a couple girls, leading a Bible study). AIM taught me how to be a servant leader. More “practically”, it also helped developed my public speaking and communication skills. And those are only the first few things that pop into my head.

Honestly, it has sometimes been a challenge for me to move on in life. I miss those days of deep friendships and miming. I miss being around people who share my faith and high standards of excellence. However, I treasure the memories and (attempt to - with God's grace) build on and apply all that I’ve learned. God has begun to place new ministries and new opportunities on my heart. And so, I “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14), and I’m excited about what God has in store for my future!

[Nayr]

Hey Claire, that's really neat. My story isn't all that different. I was involved with AIM for 6 years and loved it. I got into it mostly because of mime stuff and because I had friends on the team, but it did become something that I could be passionate about. Pre-mission-trip Ryan was a good, quiet kid who liked to help, but I had never really got into using what I know or much of evangelism. My years in junior high and high school were great growing points for me in ministry, teaching, and leadership. Like Claire said, I'm not sure if AIM was the entire force behind that because there were also other things happening in my life, but it was certainly a large factor. I can still point out different things I learned on each mission trip I went on and how they helped instigate the growth to who I am now.

AIM spiked a heart for working in ministry and proper study of the Bible as well as for teaching what I know. In the last two years I have also learned a lot about and learned to love discipleship. And not discipleship as in a half hour of talking with my mentoree at AIM practice every week, although that is a piece. The discipleship I have learned to love is life-on-life discipleship. Spending time together with mentors and mentorees, or friends as I prefer to call them. Being able to be real at any time about things and yet still being able to have fun doing things together.

As what AIM has done in the now, I'm not quite sure yet. Really, I wouldn't say I've completely left AIM yet. I've been off the team for a year, but living at home so I've been in the background most of the time. Though AIM did do several things I have already noticed. It gave me a passion for understanding the meaning of Scripture that has been spurred on by several of my latest college classes. I also love being able to teach what I have learned and I do so whenever I get the chance. Last fall semester I also learned a lot about discipleship in a class and was able to use it in a small group of guys I started up. It gave me the opportunity to share what I knew and grow friendships. Even though we don't regularly meet any more, they're still probably my best friends.

Now I'll be in Chicago at my first day of orientation at Moody Bible Institute exactly three weeks from now. I'll be interested to see what happens there. I know of a lot of the passions that have developed in me, but I've grown in small bits in other directions as well, so I wonder where my passions will develop in school and what ministries I will be able to be involved in there. Regardless, the training and passion for ministry that was developed through AIM will be a piece of what comes out.

[Chris Kelly]

Well currently... it's not something I WENT through... it's something I'm GOING through.

Something that has been difficult since leaving AIM is this... that accountability. That calling to read God's word, that calling to devote that day to God, That calling to disciple... All of a sudden... It's no longer a calling! It becomes a choice. That One must choose for themselves.... Now it becomes THE REAL DEAL. You have to decide for your self if this is real... or if that's just another job. For me so far...
It's REAL. But VERY difficult at the same time...

That's the first thing that I got from it. But I didn't exactly leave on good terms...

When your someone who had no choice but to leave... there isn't much lookin forward to. No ministry, no groups, no college, no mission... at least... not one you can see. You'll feel this sort of empty feeling inside of you. And yet... Exciting at the same time. You just stepped onto a new path. you don't know where it's going to go... but you know it's in the in the Father's hands.
So,
How do you travel a path?... You get off your butt, and you take that first step...
How do you know where you're going?... You trust the Guide in front of you...
How do you get to where you're going?... you keep going. you DON'T QUIT. YOU DON'T GIVE UP or GIVE IN... You keep going.

That is the path of life.
The true test...
the true trial...
The true mission...
LIFE

You know the best thing about walking this path? No matter HOW HARD IT GETS, You are never alone...
Now that's what I call an adventure...
Like what Claire said...
Phil 3:13-14. But this has helped me walk this path also...
1 Peter 4:19
"Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT."

I'm still learning... but please remember that wherever you go and whatever you do... Make sure you do what is right.
In the end,
All the glory will go back to Him!!
Blessed be His name...

[Nayr]

Hey Chris,

I also really miss the accountability. In Delaware, we had never set up a lot of it, but I did have friends who I could talk to about things. In Branson, the team had accountability stuff set up and my partner and I had a grand time. We were able to be real and have a lot of fun. I've missed that since leaving because my schedule doesn't fit with AIM people's schedules any more. I hope to stay in contact with them while I'm in Chicago and maybe I can get some good accountability there at school from my roommate or dorm guys too

Life is the experience. God closes doors for a reason and opens others. Just keep pushing and trying to find your place in His plan. Plus you still have a year of high school left, so you have time to search

[Chris Kelly]

HAHA!! Thanks Ryan.