CLAIM (Christian Laymen Assisting International Missionaries) is a ministry of BIMI that allows laymen (and women) to participate in the Great Commission as short-term missionaries. It includes evangelism, construction, medical missions, Bible distribution, mechanics, engineering, computer training and more. We assist BIMI missionaries in the US and abroad. CLAIM ministry has been blessed with souls saved, churches built, and laymen choosing to serve as career missionaries. Everyone comes away from the experience with a burden for missions like never before! We are most grateful for the godly and gracious Christians, from cardiologists to computer programmers, who voluntarily give of themselves to help us.

The purpose of CLAIM is to help laymen identify a need in missions and find ways to meet that need. CLAIM coordinates mission trips and projects for laymen throughout the nation. Men and women are challenged to use their talents on the mission field. Our goal is to help and bless missionaries, and to provide opportunities for laymen to increase their mission awareness. Our primary concern is to send laymen who demonstrate a genuine love for the Lord, have a cooperative, teachable spirit and a servant's heart.

PROJECTS are determined according to need, urgency, available personnel, supplies and finances. Locations vary from the United States to second and third world countries. The Project Director and BIMI oversee project finance. Laymen are notified in advance about the financial details of their chosen project. Laymen are financially responsible for their part in our ministry endeavor. CLAIM policy is to never be a financial burden to the missionaries we help. Participants in CLAIM ministry will be issued an itinerary well in advance of the team departure date. This itinerary will include information such as suggested clothing, accommodations, cost, immunizations, and other pertinent information relating to the project. Each CLAIM team member is responsible for meeting the requirements for a given project.

CLAIM Goals

Our primary long-range goal is to develop leaders who are able to coordinate individual CLAIM projects, leading the teams, raising funds, and developing lay leaders under them.

We desire to see a team of retired, yet capable people, who can go at a moment's notice to the field to respond to emergencies, etc. They will be called "Minutemen."

To see 40 albums of photos from finished projects please request friendship on our Facebook page.

Am I really needed on a CLAIM trip?

I was recently blessed as I read the Passage in Luke chapter 5 where Jesus told Peter to let down his net for a great catch of fish. Peter, upon obeying, had so many fish that he could not handle them all. The scripture then says in Luke 5:7 “And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.” This made me think of the great harvest field today with too few laborers. Our missionaries have so much to do in the harvest, and they need our help. The great thing about this story is that both ships, the catcher’s and the helper’s, were filled to overflowing. If we could only get this concept in our churches! How much of God’s rich blessing are we missing by not being involved more? -Mark Gage

Do I need to be a builder or have special skills?

CLAIM is a unique ministry. We use Christian laymen to serve missionaries around the world. All of the construction trips have skilled and unskilled laborers. Most trips are labor intensive and require only basic construction skills. Other trips need skilled tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians or masons. Women are encouraged to come. Often the women help with meal preparation which is a great blessing to the missionary wives and the team members. I have not been on a trip yet where someone left thinking they were of no use. Sometimes the greatest blessing we can be is not in construction but in ministering to the needs of the missionaries and nationals. Sometimes our greatest testimony is not what we say but how we are willing to serve. Both men and women, with or without construction skills, are necessary for each trip. Pray about taking a CLAIM trip. You will never regret the time you dedicate to the Lord. -Jeff Randall

How can we get our youth group involved?

Our high school and college students represent a large portion of future missionaries. Unfortunately, much of their attention is easily drawn away by the things of this world. We must get students involved in ministries like mission trips. Our goal is to see God impact the lives of teens in a tremendous way while on the mission trip. Teens and college students can be used to help missionaries with tract and Bible distribution, Vacation Bible Schools, and even minor building projects.

“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psalm 16:6).
I can think of nothing greater than teaching your children the importance of serving, loving and obeying the Lord. One of the greatest ways to accomplish this is to involve your family in a mission trip.

Are there CLAIM trips in the US?

Yes! Bill Ferguson probably has the most trips in the United States. He is not limited by its boundaries, but as the Lord works it out, many of his trips are close to home.

Friday, February 3, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Brian & Charity Collins -  SINGAPORE
Richard & Patty Comer -  CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone -  THAILAND