In 1990, Brother Tom and Sister Verda Thompson were traveling and meeting with pastors in various locations from Califronia to Illinois, discussing the possibility of affiliate schools and the needs of local churches. At the time, Sister Verda was working with Golden Grain Bible College, located in California. During their trip, the Lord gave Brother Tom the name for AMT. The Lord spoke to Brother Tom and said that he and Sister Verda were American Missionaries. When Brother and Sister Thompson returned to California, they met with Sister Mary Carr about the new ministry.

In the fall of 1990, the first classes for King's Word Bible College opened in Norris City, Illinois with 18 students. The classes were held at Crossroads Bible Church. Two affiliate schools opened in Paducah, Kentucky and Sikeston, Missouri that year.

In the spring of 1991, the first AMT board was formed. Legal papers were filed for American Mission Teams Evangelistic Organization in the state of Illinois and the filing of a 501 (c) (3) with the federal government were formally approved.

AMT began licensing several individuals for the work of the Gospel ministry in 1991. A licensing and ordination service became a part of each AMT conference.

AMT has launched many world-wide ministries. AMT now has over 60 Bible Colleges and affiliates in 19 States in the U.S.A. and affiliate schools and members in more than 100 nations of the world.