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Youth With A Mission
Youth With A Mission (typically shortened YWAM, generally pronounced /ˈwaɪwæm/) is an interdenominational Christian mission organization with a focus on missionary work and training for Christian missions.
Founded by American missionary Loren Cunningham and his wife Darlene Cunningham in 1960, YWAM's stated purpose is to "know God and to make Him known". The organization pioneered self-funded short-term missions conducted by young people. Today, while maintaining its original youth-oriented ethos, the group has expanded its membership for those of older ages as well. While the efficacy and safety of YWAM's short-term missions has been called into question, the organization trains upwards of 25,000 short-term missions volunteers annually, accepting participants from across all Christian denominations, including Catholicism via its Kerygma Ministry.
Despite initial criticism for its unconventional approach, YWAM grew rapidly, becoming non-denominational in 1964 and establishing short-term volunteer teams, vocational missions, and training schools. Key milestones included the creation of the School of Evangelism in Switzerland (1969), the foundation of the University of the Nations, and the launch of Mercy Ships in 1978. By the 2000s, YWAM had over 11,000 staff from more than 130 countries, with programs extending into disaster relief, youth ministries, evangelism at international sporting events, and global partnerships with Christian organizations.
YWAM operates a range of programs including evangelism through sports, music, and drama, extensive training through the University of the Nations, and humanitarian aid via Mercy Ministries, Homes of Hope, and ship-based outreaches. The organization emphasizes the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” aiming to influence society’s key sectors, though this has drawn theological and political criticism. YWAM has faced controversies involving allegations of spiritual and financial abuse, sexual misconduct, and doctrinal concerns. Its missionaries have also faced dangers abroad, including shootings, imprisonments, and kidnappings. It organizes events such as The Send to mobilize Christians worldwide.
Youth With A Mission was conceived by Loren Cunningham in 1956. As a 20-year-old student in an Assemblies of God College, he was traveling in the Bahamas when he had a vision of a movement that would send young people out into various nations to share the message of Jesus, and which would involve Christians of all Christian denominations. Despite his ordination by the Assemblies of God, Cunningham's untraditional ideas were met with considerable criticism as denominational leaders pointed out problems with his plan to send young, inexperienced youth from many denominations, overseas.
Cunningham married Darlene Scratch in 1963. By this time, the new mission had 20 volunteers stationed in various nations, and the Cunninghams were planning the mission's first "Summer of 69". Later in the year, YWAM teams were sent to the West Indies, Samoa, Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America.[citation needed] In 1964, the organization became non-denominational.
By 1966, there were ten full-time YWAM staff including the founders and hundreds of seasonal volunteers. That year, YWAM ministries also began in New Zealand and Tonga. In late 1966, the name Youth With A Mission was chosen, and the group embarked on their first project, a vocational mission trip to Liberia, building a road through the jungle to a leper colony.
In 1967, Loren Cunningham began work on the organization's first summer school, the School of Evangelism. It was held in Chateau-d'Oex (Hotel Rosat), Switzerland in 1969 with 21 students. A second school ran from the summer of 1969 through the summer of 1970 just outside Lausanne, Switzerland, in Chalet-A-Gobet. The students' lodging and classes took place in a newly renovated leased hotel. By the end of the year, YWAM purchased the hotel and made Lausanne its first permanent location.
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Youth With A Mission
Youth With A Mission (typically shortened YWAM, generally pronounced /ˈwaɪwæm/) is an interdenominational Christian mission organization with a focus on missionary work and training for Christian missions.
Founded by American missionary Loren Cunningham and his wife Darlene Cunningham in 1960, YWAM's stated purpose is to "know God and to make Him known". The organization pioneered self-funded short-term missions conducted by young people. Today, while maintaining its original youth-oriented ethos, the group has expanded its membership for those of older ages as well. While the efficacy and safety of YWAM's short-term missions has been called into question, the organization trains upwards of 25,000 short-term missions volunteers annually, accepting participants from across all Christian denominations, including Catholicism via its Kerygma Ministry.
Despite initial criticism for its unconventional approach, YWAM grew rapidly, becoming non-denominational in 1964 and establishing short-term volunteer teams, vocational missions, and training schools. Key milestones included the creation of the School of Evangelism in Switzerland (1969), the foundation of the University of the Nations, and the launch of Mercy Ships in 1978. By the 2000s, YWAM had over 11,000 staff from more than 130 countries, with programs extending into disaster relief, youth ministries, evangelism at international sporting events, and global partnerships with Christian organizations.
YWAM operates a range of programs including evangelism through sports, music, and drama, extensive training through the University of the Nations, and humanitarian aid via Mercy Ministries, Homes of Hope, and ship-based outreaches. The organization emphasizes the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” aiming to influence society’s key sectors, though this has drawn theological and political criticism. YWAM has faced controversies involving allegations of spiritual and financial abuse, sexual misconduct, and doctrinal concerns. Its missionaries have also faced dangers abroad, including shootings, imprisonments, and kidnappings. It organizes events such as The Send to mobilize Christians worldwide.
Youth With A Mission was conceived by Loren Cunningham in 1956. As a 20-year-old student in an Assemblies of God College, he was traveling in the Bahamas when he had a vision of a movement that would send young people out into various nations to share the message of Jesus, and which would involve Christians of all Christian denominations. Despite his ordination by the Assemblies of God, Cunningham's untraditional ideas were met with considerable criticism as denominational leaders pointed out problems with his plan to send young, inexperienced youth from many denominations, overseas.
Cunningham married Darlene Scratch in 1963. By this time, the new mission had 20 volunteers stationed in various nations, and the Cunninghams were planning the mission's first "Summer of 69". Later in the year, YWAM teams were sent to the West Indies, Samoa, Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America.[citation needed] In 1964, the organization became non-denominational.
By 1966, there were ten full-time YWAM staff including the founders and hundreds of seasonal volunteers. That year, YWAM ministries also began in New Zealand and Tonga. In late 1966, the name Youth With A Mission was chosen, and the group embarked on their first project, a vocational mission trip to Liberia, building a road through the jungle to a leper colony.
In 1967, Loren Cunningham began work on the organization's first summer school, the School of Evangelism. It was held in Chateau-d'Oex (Hotel Rosat), Switzerland in 1969 with 21 students. A second school ran from the summer of 1969 through the summer of 1970 just outside Lausanne, Switzerland, in Chalet-A-Gobet. The students' lodging and classes took place in a newly renovated leased hotel. By the end of the year, YWAM purchased the hotel and made Lausanne its first permanent location.