Decade of Advance Ministries

The Decade of Advance is a national movement sponsored by Evangelism Resources to engage churches to embrace the two "Alls": All of the church needs to reach all of the world with the saving message of Jesus Christ. Its purpose is to mobilize divergent churches in an interdenominational effort to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. Envisioned by ER's founders, Willys and Thelma Braun, the program was inaugurated in India, and is active as well in Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal. It is now being newly established in the nation of Ghana, with a goal toward eventually reaching other nations of Africa.

AIDA, the All-India Decade of Advance began in 1999 and has already touched the lives of people across all of India. That impact will continue in the last four years of the project, and beyond, as Christians join together with information and enthusiasm to evangelize. AIDA also has been organized into regional councils, DANI (Decade of Advance of North India), DASI (Decade of Advance of South India), and DANEI (Decade of Advance of North East India). Click here to read about the Rawates, who are leaders of the AIDA program.

In the AIDA council in April of 2005, themes were chosen to inspire growth as the decade draws to a close. They are:

2006 - The Year of Prayer

The Church was mobilized to pray for the unreached and for unity. Jesus prayed, "That all of them (who believe in Jesus) may be one, Father, just as You are in me and I am in You."- John 17:21

2007 - The Year of Witness and Evangelism

The Church was mobilized to reach all of India with the message of Christ. "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." - Acts 5:32

2008 - The Year of the Word and Discipleship

The Church was mobilized to study God's Word and teach, preach, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."- II Tim. 2:15

2009 - The Year of Youth

Though all levels of society will be targeted over the next four years, ministries to youth will be emphasized in 2009. They will be mobilized to obey God's commands, culminating in the commissioning of 1,000 Indian young people for overseas service. "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." - Matt. 9:38

THE STRATEGY

PROPOSALS FOR PROGRESS are sent to nearly a thousand church leaders every three months. These proposals center on 12 departments of church life and motivate leaders with practical ways to do more for Christ.

A QUARTERLY MAILING OF ADVANCE (a publication of AIDA) carries reports and suggestions for increasing and improving outreach efforts.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS, such as SAT-urate for the State Advance Team leaders, are published, along with tracts and attention-getting flyers.

BOOKS include He Married a Princess and 40 Big Truths About God by Thelma Braun, The Master by Phyllis Taylor, and Verses for 52 Bible Lessons. (available in English and Hindi)

CEO/SECOND LINE LEADERSHIP WORK CONFERENCES assemble leaders from all over India and Asia to equip them with new insights for work.

FOLLOW-UP MINISTRIES include womens' conferences and conferences on Inductive Bible Study.

The AIDA PACKAGE of Promising Ministries is a yearly collection of ministries being blessed by God in different denominations of India and is the foundation of all discussions in the Work Conferences.

ENDORSEMENTS

"The mission of AIDA has added value in the life and ministry of many leaders for effectively reaching the unreached."- Rev. Richard Howell

"AIDA is a ministry blessed by God for Indian churches, for providing ministries that can be used for the effective growth of the Church."- Dr. T.S. David

"The motivation and encouragement that AIDA has brought in our state can never be overlooked."- Pastor S.B. Francis

"Since AIDA is a liaisonning body, it is never a threat to any church or denomination. The value of AIDA is much more powerful when one sees its scope of equipping ministry to the whole Body of Christ."- Rev. Dr. C.S.R. Gier