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TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE GOD KNOWN
YOUTH WITH A MISSION
Driven by God’s love, we go to the ends of the earth.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international volunteer movement of Christians from many backgrounds, cultures, and Christian traditions dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced “WHY-wham”), our purpose is simply to know God and to make Him known.
When YWAM began in 1960, our main focus was giving young people opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the whole world, according to His command in Mark 16:15. Today, we still focus on youth, but we have members (known as “YWAMers”) of almost every age, and many of our short-term efforts have grown into long-term endeavors that have impacted lives and nations.
YWAM has a decentralized structure that encourages new vision and the exploration of new ways to change lives. We do this through training, conveying the message of the gospel, and caring for those in need. We are currently operating in more than 1,800 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000.
YWAM VALUES
These are the 18 values of our international YWAM family.
To learn more about Youth With A Mission, please visit YWAM.org.
1. KNOW GOD
YWAM is committed to knowing God, His nature, character, and ways. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.
2. MAKE GOD KNOWN
YWAM is called to make God known throughout the whole world, and into every area of society through evangelism, training, and mercy ministries. We believe that the salvation of souls should result in the transformation of societies, thus obeying Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations.
3. HEAR GOD´s VOICE
YWAM is committed to creating with God through listening to Him, praying His prayers, and obeying His commands in matters great and small. We are dependent upon hearing His voice as individuals, together in team contexts, and in larger corporate gatherings. This is an integral part of our process for decision-making.
4. PRACTICE WORSHIP & INTERCESSION
YWAM is dedicated to worshiping Jesus and engaging in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of daily life. We also recognize the intent of Satan to destroy the work of God, and we call upon God's power and the Holy Spirit to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and the affairs of nations.
5. BE VISIONARY
YWAM is called to be visionary, continually receiving, nurturing, and releasing fresh vision from God. We support the pioneering of new ministries and methods, always willing to be radical in order to be relevant to every generation, people group, and sphere of society. We believe that the apostolic call of YWAM requires the integration of spiritual eldership, freedom in the Spirit and relationship, centered on the Word of God.
6. CHAMPION YOUNG PEOPLE
YWAM is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young people to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to valuing, trusting, supporting, making space, and releasing them. They are not only the church of the future; they are the church of today. We commit to follow where they lead, in the will of God.
7.BE DE-
CENTRALIZED
YWAM is broad-structured and diverse yet integrated. We are a global family of ministries held together by shared purpose, vision, values, and relationships. We believe that structures should serve the people and the purposes of God. Every ministry at every level has the privilege and responsibility of accountability to a circle of elders, with overall international accountability to the YWAM Global Leadership Team.
8. BE INTERNATIONAL & INTERDENOMINATIONAL
YWAM is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic, and denominational diversity, along with redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the mission.
9. HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
YWAM is called to a biblical Christian worldview. We believe that the Bible—the textbook for all of life—makes a clear division between good and evil; right and wrong. The practical dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions. Everything done in obedience to God is spiritual. We seek to honor God with all that we do, equipping and mobilizing men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every arena of society.
10. FUNCTION IN TEAMS
YWAM is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries, and generations working together in unity at all levels of our mission provides wisdom and safety. Seeking God's will and making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship, motivation, responsibility, and ownership of the vision.
11. EXHIBIT SERVANT LEADERSHIP
YWAM is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his or her care and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead.
12. DO FIRST, THEN TEACH
YWAM is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an individual's gifts, abilities, and expertise.
13. BE RELATIONSHIP ORIENTATED
YWAM is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication rather than a dependence on structures or rules.
14. VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL
YWAM is called to value each individual. We believe in equal opportunity and justice for all. Created in the image of God, people of all nationalities, ages, and functions have distinctive contributions and callings. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women.
15. VALUE FAMILIES
YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother. We also embrace the inclusion of single-parent families. We encourage the development of strong and healthy family units, with each member sharing the call to missions and contributing their gifts in unique and complementary ways. We uphold and celebrate the biblical view that God's intent for marriage is between one man and one woman.
16. PRACTICE DEPENDENCY ON GOD
YWAM is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For individuals and YWAM corporately, this comes primarily through His people. As God has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time, and their talents to God through the mission with no expectation of remuneration.
17. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY
YWAM affirms the ministry of hospitality as an expression of God's character and the value of people. We believe it is important to open our hearts, homes, and campuses to serve and honor one another, our guests, and the poor and needy—not as acts of social protocol but as expressions of generosity.
18. COMMUNICATE WITH INTEGRITY
YWAM affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore, YWAM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely, and relevant communication. We believe good communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families, communities, and effective ministry.
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