A 24-hour-per-day telephone answering and literature request service operated by the North American Division. Its priorities also include follow-up of interests from outreach telecasts, radiobroadcasts, and literature ministries, and helping such interests become involved with a local Seventh-day Adventist church. AIM also contracts to provide 24-hour registration services for local evangelistic campaigns and Revelation seminars, answers coupons placed in outreach periodicals, and raises funds for church agencies through telephone solicitation.
The follow-up process begins when AIM answers a viewer’s call on an 800 number phone line. Most requests are for free literature offered on the program. When a viewer requests Bible studies or a pastoral visit, an AIM chaplain confirms the request, compiles a record of the individual’s prior requests, then makes a referral to the nearest Adventist pastor. The chaplain monitors the progress made by the interested person and reports when a baptism occurs.
AIM was established on the Andrews University campus in 1982 by the North American Division as the result of planning efforts by Desmond Cummings, Jr., Robert Dale, and Robert Moon. Approximately half the funds used at AIM benefit the NAD churches three ways. First, they provide a service for the church. Second, they provide seminary and other students contact opportunities and experience in the church’s outreach and follow-up programs. Third, they provide students funds to help with educational expenses. A small full-time staff oversees the work of a large number of student employees and volunteers.