Q: What is Adventist Frontier Missions Society (AFMS)?
A: We are a church-planting mission agency operated by Seventh-day Adventist church members. Our goal is to establish church-planting movements among indigenous unreached people groups.
Q: Isn’t what AFMS is doing already being done?
A: We work exclusively among groups of people still considered unreached (less than two percent of the population) by the Seventh-day Adventist message.
Q: Is AFMS starting new work where no other Christian agency is working, or just where there are no Seventh-day Adventists?
A: Both. Some of our projects are among peoples previously untouched by any Christian agency. Others are among groups where other Christian agencies may be at work, but no Seventh-day Adventist work has previously been established.
Q: Aren’t national workers better suited for this kind of work than expatriate missionaries, and more economical besides?
A: It would be ideal, but it is not always realistic. In locations where there are few national workers, there are often a number of factors that prevent them from accomplishing the task, such as persecution and lack of training, funding and support. Barriers of tribalism, racism and prejudice between neighboring groups are often greater than the barriers of language and culture between groups separated by half the globe. After our missionaries have implemented a unique worldview approach to evangelizing the local people, they intentionally train nationals within that people group to continue the vibrant church-planting movement.
Q: Where do your missionaries come from?
A: From the very beginning, AFMS has worked closely with the church at all levels. We greatly value the assistance and guidance provided by church leaders. As our goal is to plant Seventh-day Adventist churches, we cooperate with Adventist church leadership in the field, seeking signed agreements in the regions in which we work.
Q: What is AFMS’ working relationship with the Seventh-day Adventist Church?
A: Over the last two decades, we have been grateful to have opened new offices in Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Europe and South Korea to provide opportunities for individuals in these parts of the world to reach the unreached.
Q: What is the source of AFMS’ funding, and do you accept tithe?
A: We are entirely supported by the contributions of dedicated Christians and organizations who firmly believe in missions. We appreciate the spirit of sacrifice exhibited by our supporters and their desire to see God’s work go forward among the unreached. We do not knowingly accept tithe funds.
Q: Is AFMS financially accountable?
A: Adventist Frontier Missions Society is thoroughly committed to providing faithful stewardship of the funds our committed partners have entrusted to us for planting churches in unreached people groups. We are fully aware of the sacrifices our partners make as they give, and we faithfully commit to using their gifts wisely while adhering to industry best practices and financial efficiency. AFSM engages in full financial accountability by annually having our records audited by an outside accounting firm. A financial report of this audit, listing income and expenses, is available from our office upon request.
Additionally, Charity Navigator, an independent non-profit evaluator, has given AFMS their highest designation, a four-star rating, for 10 consecutive years—a feat achieved by only three percent of charities they evaluate.