Aztem was founded in 1987 to meet the growing need for Australian Christians to find ways to share the gospel in many nations and situations which are closed to traditional missionaries.

Aztem works to encourage and help professional Christians working in cultures other than their own to reach people who do not have ready access to the Gospel.

Aztem is essentially a network of people who have a desire to reach people for the gospel. It is a fellowship that brings together the experience of those who have been overseas in the past, the excitement of those who are open to the Lord’s guidance and laying their lives before the Lord in prayer, the commitment of those who are intentionally preparing to go, and the practical support and inspiration of those who help and share the vision with others.

Over 50 Aztem adult members have served abroad since its inception. They have largely had paid full-time employment and been self-supporting. Their positions have included doctor, nurse, teacher, engineer, IT support, software development, saw-miller, small business entrepreneur, university administrator, ESL teacher, nurse educator, vet, agricultural project leader, research scientist.

Aztem complements the work of traditional missionary societies. It does not act as a sending agency, but rather seeks to equip and support people to be effective witnesses and disciple-makers. 

Ministry in Workplace and Everyday Life

Since the first century AD, Christians have responded to God’s call to proclaim Christ in cultures other than their own.  Many have done this whilst in secular employment in that culture.  The term ‘tentmaker’ has been used to describe such an approach.  It comes from the first biblical ‘tentmaker’, the apostle Paul (Acts 17) who actually made tents! Paul, in fact, was not a church-supported missionary but self-supporting in most of his ministry.