How It All Started Joe and Esther were born and raised in an Old Order Amish sect in Ashland, Ohio. At 17 years of age, both were baptized as members in the Amish Church. Not long after their 18th birthdays, a former Amish man shared the gospel with them; Joe and Esther realized they were sinners in need of a Savior. Joe and Esther accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, married, and intended to continue living and to raise their family within the Amish system. However, they quickly learned if they wanted to believe their salvation was by faith, grace, and Christ alone, they must be silent about it or face excommunication and shunning by their family and the Church. Nine months into their marriage, Joe and Esther made the hardest decision of their young lives; leave the Amish way of life, their family, and friends forever to live openly for Christ. Our Burden In December 1999, Joe met with his pastor of 16 years, John Bouquet, to share how he and Esther felt God’s leading into full-time missions to the Amish. In February 2000, before his local church, Bethel Baptist, the congregation and more than 50 former Amish from as far as Kentucky and Pennsylvania, came to hear Joe share his burden and missionary call. That year, the Keims spoke in various churches, inviting fellow believers to join them in prayer and financial support. Within a year God provided the financial means enabling Joe to resign his job and, along with his family, engage in full time missions to the Amish. Our Calling Three-fold Purpose of MAP 1. Evangelize and Disciple Amish and Former Amish People: 2. Assist older teenagers and young adults who have already left the Amish culture by providing basic Life Skills. 3. Expand MAP all over North America Current Status The MAP offices are located in a 3,600 sq. ft. building, situated behind Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah OH. It is from this office building that several staff members and about 30 volunteers work out of.