ABOUT YWAM

YWAM’s History, Values & Covenants


/// YWAM’S FOUNDATIONAL VALUES

1. Know God

YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His 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 arena of society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries.We believe that salvation of souls should result in 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 as an integral part of our process for decision making.

4. Practice Worship and Intercessory Prayer

YWAM is dedicated to worship Jesus and engage 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 in 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 ofYWAM 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 value them, trust them, train them, support them, make space for them and release 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 Broad Structured and Decentralized

YWAM is broad structured and diverse, yet integrated. We are a global family of ministries held together by shared purpose, vision, values and relationship.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.

8. Be International and 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 Christian Worldview

YWAM is called to a biblical Christian worldview.We believe that the Bible 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/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 Oriented

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 Godgiven 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 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.

16. Practice Dependence 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 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 and communities, and effective ministry.


/// A STORY NOT A DOCTRINE - YWAM’S SEMINAL COVENANTS

CHRISTIAN MAGNA CARTA

Youth With A Mission affirms the Christian Magna Carta which describes the following basic rights as implicit in the gospel. Everyone on earth has the right to:

• Hear and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Have a Bible available in their own language.

• Have a Christian fellowship available nearby, to be able to meet for fellowship regularly each week, and to have Biblical teaching and worship with others in the Body of Christ.

• Have a Christian education available for their children.

• Have the basic necessities of life: food, water, clothing, shelter and health care.

• Lead a productive life of fulfillment spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically.We commit ourselves, by God’s grace, to fulfill this covenant and to live for His glory. (Developed by YWAM leaders, 1981)

 

THE MANILA COVENANT

The Manila Covenant is a statement of mission prepared and prayed over by the leadership of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and confirmed by 1,500 staff workers at the YWAM International Staff and Leadership Conference in Manila, Philippines on August 4, 1988.

We affirm that Youth With A Mission’s calling as a missionary fellowship is to help complete the Great Commission. We celebrate the calling of the Lord Jesus upon our mission to be involved in evangelism, training, and ministries of mercy. We renew our commitment to the Lord and to one another so that by God’s grace and the empowering of the Holy Spirit we will do all God asks of us to help complete the Great Commission.

We affirm the calling of the Lord upon our mission to mobilize youth for world evangelism.We express in this covenant our commitment to see young people mobilized in great numbers for world evangelism, and to see youthful, exuberant world changers be given every opportunity to take roles of leadership and influence in our mission.

We affirm God’s calling upon our mission to focus on reaching those who have not been reached with the Gospel.We declare our desire to see tens of thousands of workers mobilized on the following nine frontiers of world evangelism: the Muslim world, the Buddhist world, the Communist world, the Hindu world, the Small Half, Nominal Christians, the Cities, the Poor and Needy, and Tribal Peoples.

We affirm the Lordship of Christ over every sphere of life. We commit ourselves to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that His Lordship is proclaimed over individual lives, nations, the

family and home, the church in all its expressions, education, the electronic and printed media, arts and entertainment, the sports world, commerce, science and technology, government and politics.We believe that this should be done in the same spirit in which Jesus came: as a humble servant, laying down His rights and so pleasing His Father.

We affirm that God wants Youth With A Mission to be representative of all nations of the earth, and that our staff and leadership should be comprised of races from Africa, Asia, Australasia, Latin America, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

We affirm our calling as a mission to love people in both word and deed in order to proclaim and demonstrate the good news of the gospel. Personal evangelism and practical concern alike give witness to Jesus Christ. Accordingly, we will, by God’s grace and mercy, proclaim the good news and perform acts of mercy so that men and women will embrace the truth of the gospel.

We affirm the importance of doing God’s work, God’s way. We declare our total dependence on God for wisdom, and ask Him to reveal to us any trace of paternalism, prejudice, or triumphalism.We choose to follow the example of the Lord Jesus who gave up His rights, defending the rights of the poor, and serving those He came to minister to in righteous humility.

We affirm that God wants both young and old, male and female, in positions of leadership and responsibility in our mission.

We affirm servant leadership and the importance of being accountable and submissive in our leadership styles and attitudes.We confirm the importance of all new staff going through a period of culturally appropriate training and orientation to help prepare them for service in God’s Kingdom.We express our desire for God to continually revive and invigorate our discipleship training programs to make them a source of encouragement, equipping, and empowering for Christian service.

We affirm the importance of a spirit of humility, brokenness, and godly transparency in our relationships with one another.We commit ourselves afresh to the principles of unity as described by the apostle Paul in Ephesians chapters four and five.We accept the responsibility to deal with any character weakness or cultural barrier in a manner that would be pleasing to the Lord Jesus and that would promote unity within our mission and with the whole Body of Christ.

We affirm the importance of living a biblical and balanced life.We believe that we need Christians of all theological persuasions and backgrounds in the body of Christ.We need their godly counsel, wisdom, teaching, and help to be all that God has intended us to be.

We affirm the importance of the local church.We humbly ask God for His grace and help to enable us to multiply and build up local churches and to work as partners with them for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

We affirm the ministry of prayer and intercession. We declare our total and utter dependence upon God and ask Him to continually revive our hearts so that we will always be a mission that intercedes for the nations and seeks God for His direction and guidance.We believe God has called our mission

to build everything it does on the foundation of prayer, knowing that apart from God’s leading, our best efforts will be dead works. We further declare our need for others to pray for us.

We affirm the importance of accountability between Youth With A Mission as a whole and its various bases, ministries, teams and schools. We confirm our need to be in submission to those we serve, those who are over us in the Lord, and those we work with as co-laborers. We believe that this spirit of accountability welcomes correction, encouragement, and openness in our corporate and personal lives.

We affirm the value of the individual.We commit ourselves to pursue the equipping, upbuilding, and empowering of all those God sends to us for the fulfillment of His ministry and purpose in their lives.

We affirm the ministry of hospitality, and commit ourselves to open our bases, homes, and hearts to all those God sends to us.We recognize this to be a biblical responsibility and we joyfully embrace the privilege of serving and honoring guests, teachers, fellow YWAMers, and the poor and the needy through this ministry.

We affirm the importance of financial accountability.We declare that we as Youth With A Mission will live by the highest legal, spiritual, and ethical standards in our handling of finances.

We affirm that Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus Christ personally to this generation, to mobilizing as many as possible to help in this task, and to the training and equipping of believers for their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are called to love, worship and obey our Lord, to love and serve His body, the Church, and to present the whole Gospel for the whole person throughout the world.

We affirm that the Bible is God’s inspired and authoritative word, revealing that Jesus Christ is God’s Son.We believe that man is created in God’s image and that He created us to have eternal life through Christ. Although all men have sinned and come short of God’s glory and are eternally lost without Christ, God has made salvation possible through the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that repentance, faith, love and obedience are necessary and fitting responses to God’s initiative of grace towards us and that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.We believe that the Holy Spirit’s power is demonstrated in and through us for the accomplishing of Christ’s last commandment:“Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

We affirm the Christian Magna Carta which proclaims the basic rights, implicit in the Gospel, of every human being.

 

THE LAUSANNE COVENANT

Lausanne, Switzerland was the location of a 1974 International Congress called by a committee headed by Rev. Billy Graham. Christian leaders from 150 countries attended the Congress.The Lausanne Covenant is a declaration agreed upon by more than 2,300 evangelicals during the 1974 International Congress to be more intentional about world evangelization. Since then, the Covenant has challenged churches and Christian organizations to work together to make Jesus Christ known throughout the world.

We, members of the Church of Jesus Christ, from more than 150 nations, participants in the International Congress on World Evangelization at Lausanne, praise God for his great salvation and rejoice in the fellowship he has given us with himself and with each other. We are deeply stirred by what God is doing in our day, moved to penitence by our

failures and challenged by the unfinished task of evangelization.We believe the Gospel is God’s good news for the whole world, and we are determined by his grace to obey Christ’s commission to proclaim it to all mankind and to make disciples of every nation. We desire, therefore, to affirm our faith and our resolve, and to make public our covenant.

1. The Purpose of God

We affirm our belief in the one-eternal God, Creator and Lord of the world, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who governs all things according to the purpose of his will. He has been calling out from the world a people for himself, and sending his people back into the world to be his servants and his witnesses, for the extension of his kingdom, the building up of Christ’s body, and the glory of his name.We confess with shame that we have often denied our calling and failed in our mission, by becoming conformed to the world or by withdrawing from it.Yet we rejoice that even when borne by earthen vessels the gospel is still a precious treasure.To the task of making that treasure known in the power of the Holy Spirit we desire to dedicate ourselves anew. (Isa. 40:28; Matt. 28:19; Eph. 1:11; Acts 15:14; John 17:6, 18; Eph 4:12; 1 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 12:2; II Cor. 4:7)

2. The Authority and Power of the Bible

We affirm the divine inspiration, truthfulness and authority of both Old and New Testament Scriptures in their entirety as the only written word of God, without error in all that it affirms, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.We also affirm the power of God’s word to accomplish his purpose of salvation. The message of the Bible is addressed to all men and women. For God’s revelation in Christ and in Scripture is unchangeable. Through it the Holy Spirit still speaks today. He illumines the minds of God’s people in every culture to perceive its truth freshly through their own eyes and thus discloses to the whole Church ever more of the many-colored wisdom of God. (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21; John 10:35; Isa. 55:11; 1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16, Matt. 5:17,18; Jude 3; Eph. 1:17,18; 3:10,18)

3. The Uniqueness and Universality of Christ

We affirm that there is only one Saviour and only one gospel, although there is a wide diversity of evangelistic approaches.We recognize that everyone has some knowledge of God through his general revelation in nature. But we deny that this can save, for people suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.We also reject as derogatory to Christ and the gospel every kind of syncretism and dialogue which implies that Christ speaks equally

through all religions and ideologies. Jesus Christ, being himself the only Godman, who gave himself as the only ransom for sinners, is the only mediator between God and people. There is no other name by which we must be saved. All men and women are perishing because of sin, but God loves everyone, not wishing that any should perish but that all should repent.Yet those who reject Christ repudiate the joy of salvation and condemn themselves to eternal separation from God. To proclaim Jesus as “the Saviour of the world” is not to affirm that all people are either automatically or ultimately saved, still less to affirm that all religions offer salvation in Christ. Rather it is to proclaim God’s love for a world of sinners and to invite everyone to respond to him as Saviour and Lord in the wholehearted personal commitment of repentance and faith. Jesus Christ has been exalted above every other name; we long for the day when every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess him Lord. (Gal. 1:69;Rom. 1:1832; I Tim. 2:5,6; Acts 4:12; John 3:1619; II Pet. 3:9; II Thess. 1:79;John 4:42; Matt. 11:28; Eph. 1:20,21; Phil. 2:911)

4. The Nature of Evangelism

To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord he now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gifts of the Spirit to all who repent and believe. Our Christian presence in the world is indispensable to evangelism, and so is that kind of dialogue whose purpose is to listen sensitively in order to understand. But evangelism itself is the proclamation of the historical, biblical Christ as Saviour and Lord, with a view to persuading people to come to him personally and so be reconciled to God. In issuing the gospel invitation we have no liberty to conceal the cost of discipleship. Jesus still calls all who would follow him to deny themselves, take up their cross, and identify themselves with his new community. The results of evangelism include obedience to Christ, incorporation into his Church and responsible service in the world. (I Cor. 15:3,4; Acts 2: 3239; John 20:21; I Cor. 1:23; II Cor. 4:5; 5:11,20; Luke 14:2533; Mark 8:34; Acts 2:40,47; Mark 10:4345)

5. Christian Social Responsibility

We affirm that God is both the Creator and the Judge of all men.We therefore should share his concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men and women from every kind of oppression. Because men and women are made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, colour, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he or she should be respected and served, not exploited. Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive.

Although reconciliation with other people is not reconciliation with God, nor is social action evangelism, nor is political liberation salvation, nevertheless we affirm that evangelism and sociopolitical involvement are both part of our Christian duty. For both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and man, our love for our neighbor and our obedience to Jesus Christ.The message of salvation implies also a message of judgment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist.When people receive Christ they are born again into his kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world.The salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities. Faith without works is dead. (Acts 17:26,31; Gen. 18:25; Isa. 1:17; Psa. 45:7; Gen. 1:26,27; Jas. 3:9; Lev. 19:18; Luke 6:27,35; Jas. 2:1426; Joh. 3:3,5; Matt. 5:20; 6:33; II Cor. 3:18; Jas. 2:20)

6. The Church and Evangelism

We affirm that Christ sends his redeemed people into the world as the Father sent him, and that this calls for a similar deep and costly penetration of the world.We need to break out of our ecclesiastical ghettos and permeate nonChristian society. In the Church’s mission of sacrificial service evangelism is primary. World evangelization requires the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.The Church is at the very centre of God’s cosmic purpose and is his appointed means of spreading the gospel. But a church which preaches the cross must itself be marked by the cross. It becomes a stumbling block to evangelism when it betrays the gospel or lacks a living faith in God, a genuine love for people, or scrupulous honesty in all things including promotion and finance.The church is the community of God’s people rather than an institution, and must not be identified with any particular culture, social or political system, or human ideology. (John 17:18; 20:21; Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; 20:27; Eph. 1:9,10; 3:911; Gal. 6:14,17; II Cor. 6:3,4; II Tim. 2:1921; Phil. 1:27)

7. Cooperation in Evangelism

We affirm that the Church’s visible unity in truth is God’s purpose. Evangelism also summons us to unity, because our oneness strengthens our witness, just as our disunity undermines our gospel of reconciliation.We recognize, however, that organizational unity may take many forms and does not necessarily forward evangelism.Yet we who share the same biblical faith should be closely united in fellowship, work and witness. We confess that our testimony has sometimes been marred by a sinful individualism and needless duplication. We pledge ourselves to seek a deeper unity in truth, worship, holiness and

mission. We urge the development of regional and functional cooperation for the furtherance of the Church’s mission, for strategic planning, for mutual encouragement, and for the sharing of resources and experience. (John 17:21,23; Eph. 4:3,4; John 13:35; Phil. 1:27; John 17:1123)

8. Churches in Evangelistic Partnership

We rejoice that a new missionary era has dawned.The dominant role of western missions is fast disappearing. God is raising up from the younger churches a great new resource for world evangelization, and is thus demonstrating that the responsibility to evangelise belongs to the whole body of Christ. All churches should therefore be asking God and themselves what they should be doing both to reach their own area and to send missionaries to other parts of the world. A reevaluation of our missionary responsibility and role should be continuous.Thus a growing partnership of churches will develop and the universal character of Christ’s Church will be more clearly exhibited.We also thank God for agencies which labor in Bible translation, theological education, the mass media, Christian literature, evangelism, missions, church renewal and other specialist fields.They too should engage in constant self-examination to evaluate their effectiveness as part of the Church’s mission. (Rom. 1:8; Phil. 1:5; 4:15; Acts 13:13, I Thess. 1:68)

9. The Urgency of the Evangelistic Task

More than 2.7 billion people, which is more than twothirds of all humanity, have yet to be evangelized.We are ashamed that so many have been neglected; it is a standing rebuke to us and to the whole Church. There is now, however, in many parts of the world an unprecedented receptivity to the Lord Jesus Christ.We are convinced that this is the time for churches and parachurch agencies to pray earnestly for the salvation of the unreached and to launch new efforts to achieve world evangelization. A reduction of foreign missionaries and money in an evangelized country may sometimes be necessary to facilitate the national church’s growth in self-reliance and to release resources for unevangelised areas. Missionaries should flow ever more freely from and to all six continents in a spirit of humble service.The goal should be, by all available means and at the earliest possible time, that every person will have the opportunity to hear, understand, and to receive the good news.We cannot hope to attain this goal without sacrifice.All of us are shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices which causes it. Those of us who live in affluent circumstances accept our duty to develop a simple life- style in order to contribute more generously to both relief and evangelism. (John 9:4; Matt. 9:3538; Rom. 9:13; I Cor. 9:1923; Mark 16:15; Isa. 58:6,7; Jas. 1:27; 2:19; Matt. 25:3146; Acts 2:44,45; 4:34,35)

10. Evangelism and Culture

The development of strategies for world evangelization calls for imaginative pioneering methods. Under God, the result will be the rise of churches deeply rooted in Christ and closely related to their culture. Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture. Because men and women are God’s creatures, some of their culture is rich in beauty and goodness. Because they are fallen, all of it is tainted with sin and some of it is demonic. The gospel does not presuppose the superiority of any culture to another, but evaluates all cultures according to its own criteria of truth and righteousness, and insists on moral absolutes in every culture. Missions have all too frequently exported with the gospel an alien culture and churches have sometimes been in bondage to culture rather than to Scripture. Christ’s evangelists must humbly seek to empty themselves of all but their personal authenticity in order to become the servants of others, and churches must seek to transform and enrich culture, all for the glory of God. (Mark 7:8,9,13; Gen. 4:21,22; I Cor. 9:1923; Phil. 2:57; II Cor. 4:5)

11. Education and Leadership

We confess that we have sometimes pursued church growth at the expense of church depth, and divorced evangelism from Christian nurture.We also acknowledge that some of our missions have been too slow to equip and encourage national leaders to assume their rightful responsibilities.Yet we are committed to indigenous principles, and long that every church will have national leaders who manifest a Christian style of leadership in terms not of domination but of service. We recognise that there is a great need to improve theological education, especially for church leaders. In every nation and culture there should be an effective training programme for pastors and laity in doctrine, discipleship, evangelism, nurture and service. Such training programmes should not rely on any stereotyped methodology but should be developed by creative local initiatives according to biblical standards. (Col. I:27,28; Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5,9; Mark 10:4245; Eph. 4:11,12)

12. Spiritual Conflict

We believe that we are engaged in constant spiritual warfare with the principalities and powers of evil, who are seeking to overthrow the Church and frustrate its task of world evangelization.We know our need to equip ourselves with God’s armour and to fight this battle with the spiritual weapons of truth and prayer. For we detect the activity of our enemy, not only in false ideologies outside the Church, but also inside it in false gospels which twist Scripture and put people in the place of God.We need both watchfulness

and discernment to safeguard the biblical gospel.We acknowledge that we ourselves are not immune to worldliness of thoughts and action, that is, to a surrender to secularism. For example, although careful studies of church growth, both numerical and spiritual, are right and valuable, we have sometimes neglected them. At other times, desirous to ensure a response to the gospel, we have compromised our message, manipulated our hearers through pressure techniques, and become unduly preoccupied with statistics or even dishonest in our use of them. All this is worldly. The Church must be in the world; the world must not be in the Church. (Eph. 6:12; II Cor. 4:3,4; Eph. 6:11,1318; II Cor. 10:35; I John 2:1826; 4:13; Gal. 1:69; II Cor. 2:17; 4:2; John 17:15)

13. Freedom and Persecution

It is the God appointed duty of every government to secure conditions of peace, justice and liberty in which the Church may obey God, serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and preach the gospel without interference.We therefore pray for the leaders of nations and call upon them to guarantee freedom of thought and conscience, and freedom to practice and propagate religion in accordance with the will of God and as set forth in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.We also express our deep concern for all who have been unjustly imprisoned, and especially for those who are suffering for their testimony to the Lord Jesus.We promise to pray and work for their freedom.At the same time we refuse to be intimidated by their fate. God helping us, we too will seek to stand against injustice and to remain faithful to the gospel, whatever the cost.We do not forget the warnings of Jesus that persecution is inevitable. (I Tim. 1:14, Acts 4:19; 5:29; Col. 3:24; Heb. 13:13; Luke 4:18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12; Matt. 5:1012; John 15:1821)

14. The Power of the Holy Spirit

We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.The Father sent his Spirit to bear witness to his Son, without his witness ours is futile. Conviction of sin, faith in Christ, new birth and Christian growth are all his work. Further, the Holy Spirit is a missionary spirit; thus evangelism should arise spontaneously from a Spiritfilled church. A church that is not a missionary church is contradicting itself and quenching the Spirit. Worldwide evangelization will become a realistic possibility only when the Spirit renews the Church in truth and wisdom, faith, holiness, love and power.We therefore call upon all Christians to pray for such a visitation of the sovereign Spirit of God that all his fruit may appear in all his people and that all his gifts may enrich the body of Christ. Only then will the whole world become a fit instrument in his hands, that the whole earth may hear his voice. (I Cor. 2:4; John 15:26;27; 16:811; I Cor. 12:3; John 3:68; II Cor. 3:18; John 7:3739; I Thess. 5:19; Acts 1:8; Psa. 85:47; 67:13; Gal. 5:22,23; I Cor. 12:431; Rom. 12:38)

15. The Return of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly, in power and glory, to consummate his salvation and his judgment.This promise of his coming is a further spur to our evangelism, for we remember his words that the gospel must first be preached to all nations.We believe that the interim period between Christ’s ascension and return is to be filled with the mission of the people of God, who have no liberty to stop before the end.We also remember his warning that false Christs and false prophets will arise as precursors of the final Antichrist.We therefore reject as a proud, selfconfident dream the notion that people can ever build a utopia on earth. Our Christian confidence is that God will perfect his kingdom, and we look forward with eager anticipation to that day, and to the new heaven and earth in which righteousness will dwell and God will reign forever. Meanwhile, we rededicate ourselves to the service of Christ and of people in joyful submission to his authority over the whole of our lives. (Mark 14:62; Heb. 9:28; Mark 13:10; Acts 1:811; Matt. 28:20; Mark 13:2123; John 2:18; 4:13; Luke 12:32; Rev. 21:15; II Pet. 3:13; Matt. 28:18)

Conclusion

Therefore, in the light of this our faith and our resolve, we enter into a solemn covenant with God and with each other, to pray, to plan and to work together for the evangelization of the whole world.We call upon others to join us. May God help us by his grace and for his glory to be faithful to this our covenant! Amen, Alleluia!

 

THE RED SEA COVENANT

The International Executive Committee of Youth With A Mission met in the Middle East in April of 1992.The Lord spoke forcefully to us that He wanted us as a mission to be more involved in the Muslim world. In one prayer time, God broke into or time of intercession with unexpected direction to call together the leaders of the mission so that we might humble ourselves before the Lord. This came to us so unexpectedly, and with such a sense of God’s presence, that we felt we were to “drive a stake in the ground” to claim what God had done in our hearts. We decided to give no room to the enemy to undermine God’s direction to us or to place doubts in our hearts.We called this response to the Lord our Red Sea Covenant.

While we gathered in several prayer times for the Muslim world, God spoke to us (through Ezekiel 47) of new depths of anointing He wants to bestow upon us, giving the

clear impression that this is but a first step in an era – defining outpouring of His spirit on our mission.

He galvanized us with Isaiah 19, which seemed to indicate that at least one aspect of His dealing with our mission was to happen in the city of Jerusalem.A strong sense of our deep need of spiritual preparation was expressed in our meeting. God spoke to us about our need to see clearly, with both eyes so to speak. It became obvious that we were not to participate in the acrimony that exists between Christians, Arabs, and Jews.

God spoke to us to call a time of thirty days of focused fasting and prayer for the Muslim world. He emphasized to us the importance of public repentance for the Crusades and the great offense they have caused. In order to seal what God spoke to us as a mission on behalf of the Muslim world, we felt it was appropriate to make a formal commitment to God to be known as the Red Sea Covenant, and to invite all who will to sign this covenant.We therefore do solemnly resolve before God that we will:

• Actively pursue the new level of anointing and enabling which God wants to pour out upon us.
• Submit to any spiritual discipline He might require of us, such as fasting, prayer, and repentance.

• Gather at the times and in the places which He indicates in order to seek Him together toward these purposes.

• Be careful to keep our vision whole, seeing both Jews and Arabs as God’s beloved creation.

• Embrace the vast Muslim world in our hearts, seeking from God the anointing, wisdom, power, and strategies needed to carry our part of His great plan of redemption for those under the influence of Islam.

• Believe God for the establishment of His kingdom throughout the world of peoples under the influence of Islam, and be more impressed with God than the difficulties involved.

• Exercise leadership in calling and mobilizing our organization to receive God’s anointing and enabling power to reach the Muslim peoples of the world.

 

THE NANNING COVENANT

Gathered under Almighty God in this great land of China, we purpose to renew our commitment to the Lordship of Jesus to fulfill his call toYWAM to all nations and peoples of the world.

  • We call unto his Holy Spirit, through whom we can do all things for a renewed apostolic anointing;
  • We reaffirm our commitment to the words of the Lord that we call our Values, as well as his vision for YWAM of evangelism, training and mercy ministries;
  • We covenant with the Lord to follow him into the vision of Project 4 K as our next challenge as a mission, and deeply desire his blessings for a new surge of apostolic pioneering;
  • We agree with his word to us to encourage the newest to the oldestYWAMers to seek to know and obey his voice in the freedom of the Spirit, and to release them into the fullness of the promises of God;
  • We joyfully submit our personal ministries and the corporate ministries we lead to the spiritual eldership of the GLT and the appropriate elderships at other levels under the GLT;
  • We choose afresh to be transparent and open in our relationships with each other, and to give fresh emphasis in our mission to God’s Word as our compass and plumb-line for daily living;
  • We commit to our responsibility as elders to serve and encourage those under our care with love, as loving servants, respecting their dignity and value as his children, and giving godly coaching for them to be released to fulfill the fresh new words from the Lord; We commit to serve our leaders by submitting major leadership appointments, new visions or changes of directions, policies and practices in the ministries we lead, supporting and encouraging a spiritual environment of trust, unity, love and peace within YWAM, that we may enjoy the complete fellowship God intends for us within ourYWAM relationships;

Therefore, we covenant with God this day to be available at all times and in all places to His call and purpose in this 21st century, to be all that we can be and do all that we can do to fulfilL His Great Commission here and everywhere.

“Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord.” Psalms 19:14

Signed by YWAM’s Global Leadership Team this day 30 August 2002


/// YWAM - A HISTORY IN BRIEF

From a late-night vision given to a 20 year old in the Bahamas to a global ministry with over 18,000 workers, the growth of YWAM is the story of God’s inspiration, God’s grace for many mistakes, and the creativity of the Holy Spirit’s leading.The heart of YWAM - to worship God, to serve God’s global purposes, and to champion young people - remains as strong as it was in the beginning.

1956 – The Vision Dawns

It all began with a vision. In June of 1956, Loren Cunningham, a 20 year old student from the United States, spent a part of his summer break in Nassau, Bahamas touring with a singing group. One night after a busy day, Loren had an unusual experience. “I lay down on the bed,” he recalled, “doubled the pillow under my head and opened my Bible, routinely asking God to speak into my mind.What happened next was far from routine. Suddenly, I was looking up at a map of the world. Only the map was alive, moving! I sat up. I shook my head, rubbed my eyes. It was a mental movie. I could see all the continents. Waves were crashing onto the shores. Each went onto a continent, then receded, then came up further until it covered the continent completely. I caught my breath.Then, as I watched, the scene changed.The waves became young people–kids my age and even younger–covering the continents.They were talking to people on the street corners and outside bars.They were going house to house.They were preaching.‘Was that really you, Lord?’ I wondered, still staring at the wall, amazed. Young people–kids really–going out as missionaries! What an idea! And I thought ‘Why did God give me this vision?’”

1960 – Youth With A Mission Officially Established

In the summer of 1960, Loren graduated from college.With the vision still on his mind, Loren led a youth mission trip to Hawaii.While there, he developed more of the vision for a new organization.This ministry would send young people out after high school to gain a sense of purpose. It would welcome all Christians no matter what their denomination. He started that organization, Youth With A Mission, by the end of the year. Two years later, Loren married Darlene Scratch.Together, they are viewed as cofounders of YWAM today.

1966 – The Vision Builds

By 1966,YWAM had grown to 10 full-time staff and now attracted hundreds of summer short-term volunteers.YWAM teams were being sent to the West Indies, Samoa, Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America.

1969 – First YWAM Training Program

Twentyone students gathered in Chateaud’Oex, Switzerland in 1969 for YWAM’s first in- depth training program, the School of Evangelism.

1970 – First Permanent YWAM Center

In 1970,YWAM bought the hotel in which it held its first school, and made Lausanne, Switzerland YWAM’s first permanent location.The building offered classroom space and housing forYWAM students.

1971 – Mission Builders Established

The Mission Builder program began in 1971, providing a way for individuals and groups to assistYWAM centers in practical ways.

1972 – Munich Olympic Outreach

By 1972, YWAM had a total of 40 fulltime staff. That year, nearly 1,000 YWAM volunteers participated in an outreach to the 1972 Munich Olympics.This was the first of manyYWAM Olympic outreaches.

1974 – Plans for the Discipleship Training School begin

In the midst of the Jesus Movement in the 1970s, a YWAM leader, Leland Paris, asked a student about his religious background. “Drugs,” the young man replied. After consulting with Loren and other YWAM leaders, Leland began a school that would focus on biblical foundations and character development as well as missions. It was called Discipleship Training School.

1976 – King’s Kids Ministry Begins

King’s Kids , a YWAM ministry to involve children and teenagers in missions, was founded in Kona, Hawaii.

1977 – YWAM’s University Established

YWAM leased the Pacific Empress Hotel in Kona, Hawaii in 1977 and began the cleaning process and renovations in order to turn it into a campus. YWAM called the training center Pacific and Asia Christian University.

1979 – Mercy Ships Ministry Begins

Loren had a longtime vision of a ship ministry, which was finally released in 1979. The first ship, named “Anastasis” (the Greek word for Resurrection), became the first in a fleet to be known as Mercy Ships–a ministry which would provide hope and healthcare to the needy in port cities around the world.

1980 – Thailand Refugee Ministry Begins

YWAM had 1,800 full-time staff by 1980.Two of them, Steve and Marie Goode, heard about the Cambodian refugee crisis in Thailand, and decided to go there to help. They ended up directingYWAM’s refugee camp ministry.

1987 – YWAM Publishing Expands

In 1987, YWAM Publishing moved from Hurlach, Germany to Seattle, USA. Within the next decade, the ministry released over 150 titles. It now distributes hundreds of books, videos, and CDs.

1989 – YWAM’s University Renamed “University of the Nations”

YWAM changed the name of Pacific and Asia Christian University to University of the Nations (U of N) , which now offers courses in Bible, mission, communication, counseling, science, and many other areas.

1992 – Frontier Missions Established

At a leadership meeting in 1992,YWAM’s efforts to reach those far from the message of the gospel took greater shape with the forming of YWAM Frontier Missions [link to ywamfm.com]. Today, Frontier Missions has grown into one of YWAM’s largest global ministries, with over 2,000 workers worldwide serving with the goal of going to places where no Christian witness exists.

1993 – 30Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Begins

The 30Days Muslim Prayer Focus , initially a small effort only within YWAM, began in 1993, and has now been embraced by denominations and organizations worldwide.The prayer focus coincides yearly with Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam. It calls upon Christians to make a concerted and respectful effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors across the street and around the world.

1994 – Impact World Tour Established

Launched in 1994, Impact World Tour organizes city and countrywide evangelism campaigns that feature skateboarding, break dancing, feats of strength, and cultural dances. Many people have committed their lives to Christ on five continents through these campaigns.

1995 – YWAM Forms Global Leadership Team

YWAM reshaped its annual leadership gathering in 1995, calling the group the Global Leadership Team (GLT), and broadening the participation to incorporate more non- westerners, women and young people.

1995 – YWAM’s Website Launched

YWAM.org was launched in 1995. It continues to serve as a doorway into YWAM, connecting visitors with thousands of local YWAM ministries and websites around the world.

1996 – Reconciliation Walk Retraces the First Crusade

From 1996 to 1999,The ReconciliationWalk marked the 900th anniversary of the First Crusade by gathering Christians to walk the 1,500 miles of the Crusade route. As they went, the participants proclaimed verbally and on printed leaflets their regret for the way the Crusades misrepresented Christ. Over 2,500 people participated in some portion of the Reconciliation Walk. Wherever they went, the walkers were met by overwhelmingly positive responses by media and by individual Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Jews. In Turkey alone, an estimated 70 percent of the population heard the message.The deputy mayor of Istanbul commented:“This project is very important toTurkey.You can see how much it means to the Turkish people when they line both sides of the road and applaud.”

2000 – New Logo for YWAM’s 40th Anniversary

During YWAM’s 40th Anniversary, YWAM unveiled a new logo for the organization, the logo that is still used today.YWAM also celebrated having over 11,000 staff of all ages, from over 130 countries, and the mission was over 50% nonwestern.

2000 – YWAM Joins Table 71

YWAM and other major mission organizations partnered together in an effort known as Table 71.The purpose was to reach those people groups around the world who were unreached and unengaged by the message of Jesus. Through the partnership, multiple

new ministries were started, including: the International Orality Network, OneStory partnership, Finishing the Task, and Call2All.

2003 – Mercy Ships Released as Separate Organization

Leaders of YWAM and Mercy Ships agreed to release Mercy Ships to become a separate ministry. Mercy Ships still continues, and uses a hospital ship and land-based programs to bring medical assistance and longterm sustainable development to some of the world’s poorest regions.After the departure of Mercy Ships,YWAM’s ship ministry continued. Marine Reach, a YWAM ministry, had already been operating ships across the Pacific for 13 years.YWAM’s ship-equipped ministry has grown ever since then. Some of the ships include the Pacific Link, the Caribbean Reach, the Next Wave, and the Pacific Hope .YWAM also operates numerous other vessels such as yachts, river boats, launches, barges, and houseboats around the world. YWAM’s ships offer medical care, transportation for evangelism teams, ground-based training of local care workers, mobile mission training, and cataract and dental surgeries.

2004 – Impact World Tour Sees Massive Response in New Zealand

An Impact World Tour throughout New Zealand in 2004 resulted in the message of Jesus being taught to over 315,000 people in meetings, schools and prisons, and an additional 500,000 through TV. More than 23,000 people made the decision to follow Jesus through this single tour.

2006 – 4K Goes Live

YWAM’s mapping strategy, known as 4K , was launched in 2006 as a new way to visualize the world. 4K divides the world into 4,000 parts, and shows the physical and spiritual needs in each place. Many mission organizations have adopted its use.

2010 – YWAM Celebrates 50 Years of Spreading the Word of God

YWAM celebrated 50 years of existence in 2010 with multicultural festivities all around the world.With more than 18,000 staff and over 1,200 ministry locations, it is now one of the world’s largest missionary training and sending organizations.


/// YWAM's University of the Nations (UofN)

A BRIEF HISTORY of THE UofN

Eighteen years after its inception in 1960,Youth With A Mission (YWAM) founded the Pacific & Asia Christian University (PACU), launching the first campus in 1978 in Kona, Hawaii. PACU was founded on the basis that students could be educated in skills to help them bring the Gospel into the foundational areas of society worldwide.

A development guide was created to develop seven Colleges/Faculties and several multi- disciplinary Centers that would educate and train students in those areas.A master plan for the campus was prepared by a team of planners and architects who carefully considered the best environment for implementing the founding principles.

University schools were developed rapidly in many nations and on six continents. Many of these schools were linked with PACU. However, the regional and local names no longer reflected the worldwide scope and unity of YWAM's higher education. Therefore, the Board of Regents unanimously adopted the new name, University of the Nations (U of N), at their meeting in 1988.

The name change took place officially on June 2, 1989.

The U of N is unique in its international missionary training scope with 240 school locations in over 110 nations on all continents. Because the various nations’ accrediting agencies have major differences in their systems, the U of N has not, at present, applied for any one nation’s accreditation.The schools in U of N Colleges/Faculties adhere to quality standards and are all committed to excellence. The content of all U of N academic programmes is designed to be very close to the needs of a Christian in his or her chosen workplace, and courses require serious commitment and diligence. The courses are taught by expert staff who are widely recognized in their fields of study.

UNIVERSITY OF THE NATIONS: A NEW KIND OF ANIMAL

by David Joel Hamilton; edited by Dawn Gauslin

Have you ever met someone who said to you, "I don't believe in God!"? And when you asked that person what the characteristics were of the god they didn’t believe in, their description was so inaccurate that you replied, "I don't believe in that God either!" Just as those people need a new understanding of what God is like, so we need a new, God-given understanding of "university."

What comes to mind when you hear the word "camel"? Humps? Knobby knees? Big lips? What if God created a new camel, with different characteristics? What if it had no humps? And what if its lips were replaced with a long trunk? It would be strange looking and unfamiliar.

Regarding the concept of "university," God needs a new animal for a new time--one with different infrastructures, facilities, models, systems and curriculum than those which the traditional concept of university conjures up.Things that were, will not be; things that were not, will be.

What is the purpose of the traditional university? Education.Training.To get a degree.To secure a job.To attain a position. But for what? Generally, it is for money. Education and a degree equip the person to move up the social ladder to make economic gains, especially in the developing world.

For example, Santiago, Chile has more medical doctors than they can employ and utilize. In contrast, the islands of southern Chile have no medical care and are in dire need of even the most basic medical treatments.Will the doctors of Santiago go to meet the needs of southern Chile? No, because it is not financially advantageous. Instead, they attempt to get more education to specialize in areas which will hopefully grant even more economic gain.

Some people do go to university for humanitarian or Christian causes. But what they receive from a traditional university is incomplete and lacking the proper Biblical foundations to sustain them in the real-life traumas of a refugee camp or AIDS hospice.

How is UofN different than the traditional university?

1. The University of the Nations is global, with more than 300 different kinds of courses offered in 60+ languages and held at 330 locations in 120+ nations worldwide. U of N has a requirement that its graduates study on two different continents in order to help students relate to the global village of the 21st century.The University of the Nations has not sought accreditation under any one country’s system. Because it is a truly global university, it is important that it should not come under the regulations of any nation.To comply with the accreditation requirements or restrictions of one country could bind the growth and development of the U of N in other nations. Rather, as Harvard University did, the U of N would prefer to set a new model and standard of excellence.

2. The University of the Nations is modular. Students take one three-month course which concentrates within one intensive area of study rather than studying a multitude of topics all at the same time.The modular approach involves greater focus and produces an increased learning curve. 

3. The University of the Nations integrates theory with practice. Students apply what they have learned in the classroom through an internship or field assignment. U of N believes in doing then teaching rather than hearing then teaching. 

4. The University of the Nations utilizes visiting professors. Rather than having only an in-house faculty, the U of N benefits from the diversity and richness of inviting instructors to come directly from involvement in their field of expertise to share first-hand with students.This leads to a higher quality education with less stagnation. It is also more cost efficient, because there is a smaller resident faculty. 

5. The University of the Nations is rooted within a Biblical Christian world view. A Biblical basis and perspective is the foundation stone for viewing all of life and learning. For example, for a fine arts course, one could teach the same basic content in terms of curriculum and skills training as a traditional university, add on a chapel program once or twice a week and call it “Christian education.” But at a U of N fine arts course, students would begin by looking at God, the creator and author of all beauty.They would then study the Biblical basis and value of beauty within His economy. This might be followed by a focus on art history from a Christian perspective--how Christianity influenced the arts; how ungodly influences warped artistic expression, etc. Then, with this foundation and perspective, the teaching of practical skills could be integrated. 

6. The University of the Nations focuses on seven spheres of influence within society through its seven colleges: 

SEVEN SPHERES OF INFLUENCE -

Family, Church, Education, Media, Arts, Government, Business

UofN’s SEVEN COLLEGES -

College/Faculty of Counseling and Health Care

College/Faculty of Christian Ministries

College/Faculty of Education

College/Faculty of Communication

College/Faculty of the Arts

College/Faculty of Humanities and International Studies

College/Faculty of Science and Technology

7. The University of the Nations experience starts with a Discipleship Training School, which serves as the gateway to an education through University of the Nations or service in Youth With A Mission. The DTS/CDTS begins with the foundations of Christian character and life and follows the scriptural injunction in 2 Peter 1:5-8, “...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What is the purpose of University of the Nations? The motive is not financial gain, but to touch the lives of people in need of God's touch; not to improve our own lot in life, but to serve others in order that they might improve.

UofN is different because it exists for a different reason--to equip people to do the work of God. To give them "passport skills" to serve in countries they cannot enter as traditional missionaries, or to serve in arenas of society where they could not serve without the qualifying tools to do so.The Great Commission must always be at the center of the UofN:

Mark 16:15 (GO and PREACH to INDIVIDUALS) Matt 28:19-20 (GO and DISCIPLE all NATIONS)

This is the dual challenge in God's heart. He wants us to preach to every individual and make disciples of all nations (note: it says of all nations, not just in all nations).We are to reach individuals with the Gospel so they in turn can be salt and light, shaping every sphere of society. U of N is called to equip people to convert the individual and transform society so that "the kingdom of this world may become the Kingdom of our Lord” (Revelation 11:15). It is a tool to accomplish God's age-old dream.

Some of us succeeded in the educational systems of the world; some of us did not. Most of us were hurt through the non-Biblical values of the world's system.

When Juan Carrasco, a Latin YWAMer working in North Africa, heard the description of the U of N as a new kind of animal “like a camel with no humps but with an added trunk,” he commented, "You know, I went for a camel ride the other day and it was very

uncomfortable and awkward. How good to know that God is giving us a camel with no humps!"

University of the Nations is a new university--a multiplier for missions--where students are not squeezed into society's mold, but they are shaped into God's destiny for them as individuals in order to reach all of society.