South America Mission
The information on this page was last updated 12/26/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
South America Mission has been working to see the Church of Jesus Christ multiplied and transforming communities by embodying the Kingdom of God. It has been our privilege to participate in Christ's sufferings. Some have even laid down their lives. We rejoice in the progress of the gospel, a result of the faithfulness of those who have gone before. Yet our zeal for God's glory in the nations has not waned.
Today that zeal translates into visible form through our missionaries and partners working to share the gospel, reproduce authentic disciples of Jesus, plant churches, train leaders and equip God's people to minister transformationally.
Contact information
Mailing address:
South America Mission
1021 Maxwell Mill Road
Suite B
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Website: southamericamission.org
Phone: 803-802-8580
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 590662279
CEO/President: Kirk Ogden
Chairman: Rev Jason McKnight
Board size: 12
Founder: Joseph and Mabel Davis
Ruling year: 1951
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1986
Purpose
What we long to see: Dynamic churches multiplied across South America that transform local communities and the world as they embody the Kingdom of God.
Our vision is to see the Church of Jesus Christ established so that thousands of local, witnessing communities of believers are maturing in their own knowledge and faith, while working to ensure that everyone in South America has multiple opportunities to hear a clear, meaningful and persuasive presentation of the gospel from within their own ethnic or social group.
Mission statement
Multiplied, dynamic churches across South America transforming communities by embodying the Kingdom of God.
Statement of faith
1.Holy Scriptures: We believe that the Bible, consisting only of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is inerrant in the original manuscripts. It alone is the infallible and authoritative Word of God for all matters of faith, conduct and doctrine.
2.God: We believe in the triune God, Creator and sovereign Lord of all that exists. He is infinite in His knowledge, presence, power and wisdom; perfect in love, holiness and justice. God is truly one, yet eternally self-existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead is equal in being, nature and power.
3.The Person and Work of Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary at the appointed time. He was fully God and fully man without sin. He was crucified, dead, buried and on the third day He rose bodily. The shedding of His blood is sufficient for the salvation of all mankind. Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for His people and one day He will return bodily in power and great glory.
4.The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is Himself God, the third person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. At the moment of conversion the Spirit regenerates believers, indwells them and baptizes them into the body of Christ. He is given as a guarantee of their full inheritance. He imparts gifts to each Christian, as He chooses, for the edification of the Church. He fills and empowers believers as they submit to Him.
5.Human Nature: We believe Adam and Eve were created by a direct act of God in His own image. When they disobeyed God, they were judged and punished with physical and spiritual death. As descendants of Adam, all human beings inherit this sinful condition and its consequences, are guilty before God and are totally unable to approach God or be reconciled to Him on their own merit.
6.Salvation: We believe that salvation, found in Christ alone, provides forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God. It was purchased by the sufficient substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It is offered by grace to all people and must be personally received by repentance and faith as God's gift, apart from any human effort. In salvation, all believers receive the righteousness of Christ and eternal life. True believers are eternally secure and persevere. Their lives are to be characterized by spiritual growth.
7.The Church: We believe that the Church is divinely ordained of God to fulfill His mission into he world. This Church, under the headship of Christ, is expressed in local congregations of fellowshipping believers committed to worship, encouragement, instruction and the making of disciples. The Church is called by God to evangelize every nation and people and to be salt and light to this lost world.
8.Satan: We believe in the reality of Satan, a created being, the enemy of God and mankind. Although powerful in this age, he is doomed by the sacrificial death of Christ.
9.Future Events: We believe in the visible and personal return of Jesus Christ in order to culminate history. At the appointed time, the dead shall be raised and all mankind shall appear before the Lord to give an account. Believers in Christ will be transformed and enjoy everlasting life in the presence of their Lord. Unbelievers will be condemned to everlasting, conscious punishment, forever separated from God.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 12% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 8% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 85% | 87% | 87% | 87% | 84% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 8% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 15% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 16% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 78% | 77% | 76% | 72% | 68% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 97% | 97% | 102% | 99% | 95% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 76% | 74% | 78% | 72% | 65% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 3% | 3% | -2% | 1% | 5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 4% | 4% | -3% | 1% | 6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 8% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 19% | 21% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.33 | 1.26 | 1.20 | 1.26 | 1.20 | 1.21 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 2.09 | 2.15 | 2.33 | 2.05 | 2.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.02 | 2.63 | 2.59 | 2.94 | 2.46 | 2.42 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 19.87 | 32.47 | 17.39 | 19.84 | 18.04 | 18.06 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.62 | 4.42 | 4.37 | 3.87 | 4.61 | 4.68 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 3% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 7% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 67% | 77% | 79% | 76% | 78% | 77% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Cash | $850,086 | $813,715 | $643,884 | $563,829 | $553,949 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $174,829 | $172,840 | $177,230 | $141,269 | $229,130 |
| Short-term investments | $828,137 | $784,640 | $734,991 | $910,241 | $871,846 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,853,052 | $1,771,195 | $1,556,105 | $1,615,339 | $1,654,925 |
| Long-term investments | $178,961 | $173,235 | $171,445 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $1,778,250 | $1,792,792 | $1,837,623 | $1,164,705 | $1,128,774 |
| Other long-term assets | $70,318 | $69,295 | $60,603 | $531,876 | $524,137 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,027,529 | $2,035,322 | $2,069,671 | $1,696,581 | $1,652,911 |
| Total assets | $3,880,581 | $3,806,517 | $3,625,776 | $3,311,920 | $3,307,836 |
| Liabilities | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $30,207 | $80,214 | $59,283 | $62,552 | $64,369 |
| Other current liabilities | $26,870 | $21,626 | $19,168 | $26,994 | $27,276 |
| Total current liabilities | $57,077 | $101,840 | $78,451 | $89,546 | $91,645 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $61,312 | $90,882 | $76,230 | $123,251 | $127,848 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $61,312 | $90,882 | $76,230 | $123,251 | $127,848 |
| Total liabilities | $118,389 | $192,722 | $154,681 | $212,797 | $219,493 |
| Net assets | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,298,761 | $2,247,220 | $2,325,539 | $1,634,611 | $1,582,685 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,463,431 | $1,366,575 | $1,145,556 | $1,464,512 | $1,505,658 |
| Net assets | $3,762,192 | $3,613,795 | $3,471,095 | $3,099,123 | $3,088,343 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Total contributions | $4,266,402 | $4,088,340 | $3,884,185 | $3,491,206 | $3,523,217 |
| Program service revenue | $249,294 | $248,062 | $293,320 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $65,147 | $58,094 | $39,774 | $66,400 | $39,474 |
| Other revenue | $447,528 | $329,667 | $257,735 | $435,594 | $640,168 |
| Total other revenue | $761,969 | $635,823 | $590,829 | $501,994 | $679,642 |
| Total revenue | $5,028,371 | $4,724,163 | $4,475,014 | $3,993,200 | $4,202,859 |
| Expenses | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Program services | $3,800,654 | $3,505,899 | $3,493,009 | $2,870,174 | $2,745,130 |
| Management and general | $691,408 | $654,496 | $710,408 | $735,737 | $856,330 |
| Fundraising | $387,912 | $421,068 | $374,347 | $366,103 | $407,103 |
| Total expenses | $4,879,974 | $4,581,463 | $4,577,764 | $3,972,014 | $4,008,563 |
| Change in net assets | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $148,397 | $142,700 | ($102,750) | $21,186 | $194,296 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $148,397 | $142,700 | ($102,750) | $21,186 | $194,296 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 12/26/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
South America Mission began in 1914 with an emphasis on reaching the tribal peoples of inland South America with the gospel. Rural and urban ministries grew as missionaries sought to witness to Christ in their evolving contexts. Over the last 90 years, hundreds of missionaries have invested their lives and talents under the conviction that Jesus Christ is real hope for all nations. Today South America Mission's focus and passion are unwavering. The tremendous spiritual heritage they have continues to spur them to seek God's glory in the nations of South America.
For a timeline of SAM's history, visit: southamericamission.org/about/history
Program accomplishments
The South America Mission currently has missionaries serving in five different countries of South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Their specific ministries vary, but all focus on achieving the clear purpose of SAM: to proclaim and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in South America. Some missionaries minister the gospel in tribal settings and others in the metropolitan centers. Some missionaries fly airplanes, teach school children, or implement efficient agricultural practices. Other missionaries pastor churches, lead small group Bible studies, or distribute Christian literature.