American Evangelistic Association

The American Evangelistic Association[http://www.aeaministries.org]is a Christian organization dedicated to the purpose of promoting doctrinal, ethical, and moral standards for independent pastors and churches. It was founded in 1954 by Reverend John E. Douglas in Baltimore, Maryland and 17 other independent ministers. Many of these had been affected by the Latter Rain Movement that had begun in Canada in the late 1940s. The church government is congregational, with congregations affiliating with the national headquarters; at the head of the association is a five-man executive committee. The current Chairman/CEO is Dr. E. John Reinhold and the President is Dr. Harold Aitkins. Missionary in outlook, AEA oversees more than 1,000 workers outside the United States, mostly in India, Korea, Hong Kong, and Haiti. Headquarters are on a site in Melbourne, Florida. Other outreach arms are Life Changing Ministries, International Prison Ministry, and Christian Motivational Ministries. In 2002 the AEA reported more than 45,000 members, including divisions, with members in all 50 states and in 75 countries. Its current activities include licensing of independent evangelical pastors. It also oversees the activities of over one thousand missionary workers outside of the United States, primarily in India, Iran, China, and S. America. It also publishes 'AEA Spotlight', which primarily focuses on the group's mission activities. An AEA seminary is Tucson Theological Seminary1 located in Tucson, Arizona who ordain their graduates with American Evangelistic Association. American Evangelistic Association is listed in the "Handbook of American Denominations", edited by Samuel S. Hill. One of the most famous pastors to come out of American Evangelistic Association was "Chaplain Ray - International Prison Ministry"2 who was on radio for over 20 years. Other AEA members include Voice of Freedom led by Dr. Jim Nichols, a radio program that speaks to issues involving Christian rights being eclipsed or abused, as well as government initiatives that erode Judeo-Christian values. ELAM3 (Eternal Life Agape Ministries), an AEA affiliate brings Bibles to the Iranian people in the Farsi language. Over 1 million Bibles have been distributed to Iran over the past 20 years. AEA’s goal is to distribute 20,000 Bibles a month in Iran during 2007. Through this initiative, tens of thousands have been given the opportunity to read the Bible and have responded positively. More AEA ministries like Refuge of Hope Disciple Center4 in Washington, D.C. operate in urban areas, counseling and housing wives and children who have been physically abused, offering Christian day-care centers, distributing food and clothing, as well as providing counseling for substance abuse. Refuge of Hope Disciple Center is led by Drs. Charles and Judy Farmer. A former affiliate, Medi-Share was acquitted in 2007 of any wrong-doing for pooling funds to help pay pastor's medical bills and is no longer with AEA. AEA's headquarters in 2008 is in Malabar, Florida.