Mobile Impact Teams
Mobile Impact Teams (MIT) began in September 2005 with the purpose of fulfilling the great commission spelled out in Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The teams are designed to give members in-depth experience in missions and the opportunity to fall deeper in love with Jesus while serving.
Each team is made up of 3-6 former ACTS students and will serve for up to one year on the international/domestic mission field. The team will be involved in church planting or be anchored to the local church, and maintain a primary focus on evangelism and discipleship. The teams will work alongside foreign nationals that have shared vision and are capable of continuing the work.
The first team included Chris Sutton, Hollie Stansbury, Alicia Small and Jamie Wright and Karly (Swanson) Wright. Their mission was to establish an evangelistic campus ministry in Iasi, Romania to a university of nearly 100,000 college students. The second team, Eli Moyer, Keith Rumble, Paul Schneider and Trevor Jensen assisted in a new church plant in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Current Team: San Miguel de Allende
THE MISSION
San Miguel de Allende is the "Philadelphia" of Mexico; the location of Mexico’s independence. But what is not widely known about this Colonial city of 70,000 is that approximately ten percent are Americans. They come from all over for many different reasons. Some just to live out their retirement years; others who want to follow their creative muses -- painting, writing, and sculpting; some to attend art or language school; and others in a "search for truth" in one of the many cults or "alternative" religions available to them in San Miguel. What is noticeably missing is a dynamic body of believers who love Jesus and are fully devoted to His Word, worship and serving.
We envision a church where this happens; a church where God is exalted in worship and teaching of the Word, a church where people feel welcome and hear the Good News of the Gospel; a church where people get saved, fall in love with Jesus Christ and serve Him with their lives! We envision a fellowship of believers using their resources to meet the spiritual and physical needs of San Miguel, as well as the people living in the 200+ villages on the outskirts of the city!
As a team we want to proactively build relationships with this English speaking community. We want to befriend them, understand where they are coming from, love them and share with them the undeniable, unconditional saving grace of Jesus.
As part of this church plant, we want to host weekly groups to study the Word of God, look into the claims of Christ and answer questions of those interested in knowing more about Jesus.
THE TEAM
Dan & Kristin Hayes
(and baby Eden)
Naches, Washington
For the past 4 years, Dan and Kristin have been on staff with GCM, discipling students and serving on campus at ACTS. Dan and Kristin have a desire to share the gospel, love people, disciple new believers and see a Biblical church established in San Miguel. They will serve as team leaders during the first year of the mission.
Chris Sutton & Abby Moore
Naches, Washington, Cincinnati, Ohio
While attending Wheaton Chris and Abby met & are now engaged to be married next summer. Chris served as worship leader for chapel, as well as for the church he attended. Abby spent time as a youth leader at her church, realizing the importance of discipleship. Together they have a vision to see people holistically changed through worship & relationships for Christ & His kingdom.
Brad Boothe
Covington, Ohio
In the past year, Brad has interned at The River’s Edge Church in Michigan. He has been growing and preparing for Mexico by teaching a weekly men’s discipleship class. Brad desires to use his gift of teaching to effectively and clearly communicate the truth of God’s Word. Brad has served as a student leader during two previous ACTS sessions.
Adina Feriante
Yakima, Washington
After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, Adina served as a student leader at ACTS, then ventured into Y.W.A.M. (Youth With A Mission) for a six month discipleship school and outreach to Asia. Adina connects easily with people and has a heart to share the gospel by building meaningful relationships.
Tanner Smith
Cowiche, Washington
After attending ACTS, Tanner continued to share his faith on his college campus and also served as a summer camp counselor. Tanner has a desire to meet people where they are with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Updates From the Field
5/15/2009
When I came down to Mexico I thought that I was going to help start a new English speaking Church. Apparently I was wrong. In fact I’ve realized that starting a new church isn’t what is needed at all. Starting a church looks more like a business than anything else: raising recruits, developing strategy, growth charts, advertising, pounding the flesh, and building my own kingdom. Before long we worry more about maintaining attendance than building up the body. For me, this happens subtly, subconsciously and with good intentions, but it’s this type of church that Christ would have cleansed (see John 2). The fact is, God calls us His church, and He already established it a few thousand years ago. He calls us His bride and made us pure and holy, without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5). We don’t have to strive to get people to come, rather God will add to our number as we continue in Bible study, prayer, fellowship and breaking of bread (Acts 2). San Miguel doesn’t need me and the rest of my team to build a new church, it needs us to BE the church as God intended it. We need only to be faithful. And God is drawing people to himself: One young woman has attended almost every service we’ve had. She is very interested in studying the Bible, and has been greatly encouraged by our friendship and teaching. We got to talking to our waiter at a coffee shop. He recently married a Christian girl and wants to know more about her faith. He found out why we were here and said, “I need a pastor.” He’s been to the last 2 services. An older couple, in their 60s, have been in San Miguel for 8 years and haven’t found a place where they could study the Bible in English and fellowship with other Christians. They attended last week for the first time and enthusiastically offered to bring dessert this Sunday. “It’s hard for some to be taught by people half their age,” the man said, “but it’s Truth, so it doesn’t matter who it’s coming from”. Please continue to pray for us as we serve the community of San Miguel and share the love of Christ.