Who We Are
YWAM is a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus around the world. We are united in a common purpose: "To know God and to make Him known.
​
We do this in three main ways: evangelism, training and mercy ministries. Everything we do falls into one or more of these categories.
​
With more than 20,000 full-time staff from over 180 nations and over 1,200 operational sites, including 600 training centers, YWAM has been training and mobilizing young and old people for missions for over 60 years.
Unique DNA
Our movement is unique because we are united by our shared vision, beliefs, values and relationships with one another, rather than by a set of rules or a centralized headquarters. It is for this reason that we continue to be a fast-growing, all-volunteer apostolic mission led by young YWAMers from around the world.
Our Core Values:
YWAM’S Four Legacy Words
I found myself facing a dilemma in 2015. Loren was turning 80 at the end of June and I knew that YWAMers around the world would want to celebrate this milestone – but Loren would NOT! It’s not that he was in denial about getting older, but he would not want to be the center of attention. He would much prefer to let the occasion slip by with just a family party and an ice cream cone!
Fortunately our good friend David Hamilton knows Loren’s heart well, and he understood the dilemma. So he came up with a creative plan: in September of 2015, approximately 1,300 staff and leaders from 72 nations converged in Townsville, Australia for YWAM Together. As a birthday gift, at the end of the event, we honored Loren by reflecting on four key, directional words from the Lord that he brought to Youth With A Mission throughout our history. They came to be known as the “Four Legacy Words.”
Each Legacy Word was presented to Loren in story form, recalling how God gave the word, in front of the whole congregation, complete with fanfare and related gifts. The time ended with a mammoth birthday cake, carried in on the shoulders of six Pacific Island “warriors.” It was shaped like a Bible, representing the fourth legacy word, End Bible Poverty Now. The whole process was filled with joy and laughter, alongside awe-filled ponderings of the magnitude of the words God had given both to YWAM and to the body of Christ through Loren. Thus, he was able to fully enjoy and enter into his “party,” focusing on Jesus and His words to us!
- Darlene Cunningham
.jpg)
1. The Vision of the Waves – 1956
Suddenly I was looking at a map of the world, only the map was alive and moving! I could see all the continents, and waves were crashing onto their shores. Each wave went onto a continent, then receded, then came up further until it covered the continent completely. The waves become young people – kids my age and even younger – covering all the continents of the globe. They were talking to people on street corners and outside bars. They were going from house to house and preaching the Gospel. They came from everywhere and went everywhere, caring for people. Then just as suddenly as it had come the scene was gone.
2. The Spheres of Influence – 1975
​God created individuals (Genesis 1:26-27) and loves them, wanting to redeem them from brokenness and sin. In the same way God created nations (Acts 17:26-27) and loves them, and wants to bring kingdom transformation into every dimension of their societal interactions. Whether you call this reality a “sphere” a “mind-molder” or a “mountain” – it points to a God who cares for both individual and corporate humanity. This same God sent prophets of old to speak the word of God at times to individuals (a king, a general, a widow) and at times to corporate expressions of humanity (a tribe, a city, a nation). God has a heart for lost individuals and lost nations and invites us to collaborate with him to bring a transformative impact of the kingdom of God into every area of life, both private and public.
3. The Christian Magna Carta – 1981
Now, the original Magna Carta is a famous historical document composed in England in the year 1215. It is one of the first political documents that details basic human rights. In a similar way, the Christian Magna Carta details the Gospel rights that every human being has. It expresses all that which is implied in the Great Commission, as seen through the eyes of all those who should benefit from the Good News of the kingdom. What can those who do not yet know Jesus expect from Jesus followers? The six points lead to a compelling, holistic answer that echoes both the actions and the words of Jesus, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mat 25:40).
4. End Bible Poverty – 1967
“I was with a YWAM convoy traveling through Mexico to Central America in 1967. We had stopped in a dusty Mexican town to repair a flat tire. While some worked on that, the rest of us delivered a Gospel of John to every home, then held an open-air preaching service.
​
After our meeting a woman in a faded red dress came up to me. My Spanish wasn’t very good, but I understood her to say, ‘There’s no place in my town to get a Bible, and there aren’t any in the towns around here. Do you have a Bible in my language?’
I managed to find a Spanish Bible for her. She grasped it to her chest. ‘¡Muchísimas gracias, señor!’
As Loren Cunningham turned 85 years old in 2020, this cry of his heart is like that of Caleb when he too was 85, “Give me this mountain” (Jos 14:12). This challenge to end Bible poverty gripped the hearts of many.
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY OF YWAM
From a late-night vision given to a 20-year-old in the Bahamas to a global ministry with over 20,000 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?’ ”
(Excerpt from Is That Really You, God? by Loren Cunningham with Janice Rogers, YWAM Publishing.)
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 co-founders 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
Twenty-one students gathered in Chateau-d’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 for YWAM students.
1971: Mission Builders Established
The Mission Builder program began in 1971, providing a way for individuals and groups to assist YWAM centers in practical ways.
1972: Munich Olympic Outreach
By 1972, YWAM had a total of 40 full-time staff. That year, nearly 1,000 YWAM volunteers participated in an outreach to the 1972 Munich Olympics. This was the first of many YWAM 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 Cunningham had a long-time vision of a ship ministry, which was finally realized 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 directing YWAM’s refugee camp ministry.
1981: Frontier Missions Established.
YWAM’s efforts to reach those far from the message of the gospel took greater shape with the forming of YWAM Frontier Missions. 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
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.
1989: YWAM’s University Renamed “University of the Nations.”
YWAM changed the name of Pacific and Asia Christian University to University of the Nations (UofN), which now offers courses in Bible, mission, communication, counseling, science, and many other areas.
1993: 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Begins.
The 30-Days 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 country-wide 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’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 Reconciliation Walk 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 the 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 to Turkey. 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 percent Non-Western.
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 and more YWAM Ships added.
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 long-term 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 YWAM PNG, the Pacific Link, the Next Wave, the YWAM Liberty, the Pacific Hope. YWAM also operates numerous other vessels such as yachts, river boats, launches, barges, and houseboats around the world. YWAM 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.
2010: YWAM Celebrates 50 Years of Spreading the Word of God.
YWAM celebrated 50 years of existence in 2010 with multi-cultural 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.
2013: YWAM Changes to Eldership Model of Leadership.
At a meeting in Tijuana, Mexico, YWAM’s global leaders moved YWAM toward a model of leadership that was more biblical, more inclusive, and more God-focused. This process had begun in 2001 when YWAM’s founder, Loren Cunningham, sensed a warning from God. Loren urged leaders not to let budgets and structures dominate but instead to be led by “the voice, vision, and values of the Lord.” After years of considering how to apply Loren’s message the 2013 meeting participants settled on a way forward. Their recommendations have been built upon in subsequent years and now form a model for how YWAM’s leadership functions, especially at the level of countries or groups of countries. They recommended that in any area of the world, YWAM’s leaders should be recognized for their character and spiritual track record. They would be referred to as “elders” after the term for spiritual leaders used in the New Testament. They could be of any age or gender. These leaders would be invited to join regular gatherings at which they could seek God, discuss issues, and learn from each other. The conveners of these gatherings would not keep their role for more than two or three years, but then would turn the convening role over to another of the elders in their area. These groupings of elders would be called Area Circle Teams. These Area Circle Teams now have been formed around the globe and meet together regularly.
2018: 3,900 YWAMers Gather in Thailand.
In Pattaya, Thailand over 3,900 of the YWAM family from 100 nations and 77 languages came together for YWAM Together, the largest YWAM family gathering to date. It was evident that the great majority of YWAMers are no longer from Western nations; both the upfront leadership and the crowd were primarily Asian with hundreds from Africa, Latin America and the islands of the Pacific. They worshiped God, heard stories of what God had done in many nations, met others with similar interests, and made new friends. The participants also spent a day reaching out to the city of Pattaya during which they distributed 110,000 gospels of Luke.
2019: Stadium Events Rally Young People for Missions.
YWAM and a few other organizations put out an invitation to young people to gather and commit themselves to respond to Jesus’ call to go to the nations. These events were called The Send. At the first event, in Orlando USA in 2019, 58,000 people came and many made commitments to missions. In the second, in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, Brazil in February of 2020, 140,000 attended. The average age was 24. At the Brazil events alone 18,400 made five-year commitments to get involved in cross-cultural missions.
2020: YWAM Responds to a Global Pandemic.
As Covid-19 impacted country after country, many YWAM workers distributed food to the hungry in their neighborhoods. In September 2020 YWAM also united for a Global Prayer Initiative. This month of prayer included virtual gatherings that connected many of YWAM’s centers across the world. YWAMers sought God to repent, remember, realign, and release.
HISTORY OF YWAM IN FRENCH-SPEAKING SWITZERLAND
1969: First YWAM school in Château d'Oex
In January 1969, Loren and Darlene Cunningham organized their first school in French-speaking Switzerland with 28 students. It was the very first YWAM school in the world. This is where it all began in the area of training for YWAM: training as a multiplier for mission. This training in Switzerland was prophesied by Dr. Willard Cantelon who gave them the contact of the owner of the hotel in Château d'Oex where the school would happen. The outreach phase took place in twelve countries, including several behind the Iron Curtain in communist Eastern Europe.
1970: Moving to Lausanne, Chalet-à-Gobet
The second school of evangelism (which lasted 14 months at the time) moved to the Chalet-à-Gobet, in the Hotel du Golf, with 36 students, including Joe and Judi Portale, and the first Swiss and European YWAMer, Rudi Lack. The building was purchased the following year. In the 1970's, YWAM multiplied in about 20 countries in Europe and Africa from the Lausanne base.
1971: French Ministries founded
Joe Portale founded French Ministries, which put together a team with Heinz Suter, Linda McGowen and Daniel Schaerer, among others, to go and evangelize and help plant a church in Quimper, France.
1973: First School of Evangelism in French
After a summer service in Paris with 330 youth, Joe Portale launched the first French School of Evangelism with 28 students. In the years that followed, there would be 17 French-language schools of evangelism in Lausanne, bringing together a total of more than 500 students, more than 200 of whom would stay on to serve for a few years in YWAM ministry or elsewhere. These schools would criss-cross French-speaking Africa and contribute to the creation of permanent centers, especially in Togo, Burkina, Mali and Cameroon.
1974: First crossing of the Sahara and first center in French-speaking Africa
Joe Portale organized from Lausanne the first evangelistic trip to Africa across the Sahara. Joe launched the first YWAM base in French-speaking Africa in M'Pouto, Ivory Coast.
1976: First music production and first worship evenings
The first musical production of YWAM which put to music the songs of the “J'aime l'Éternel” songbook, which had a major impact on French-speaking worship. Also the beginning of the YWAM worship nights at the Chalet-à-Gobet, which would later move to Beaulieu (Lausanne), then multiply in Neuchâtel, Yverdon, Reconvilier, Martigny and Bulle.
1977: First French-speaking DTS in Lausanne and start of YWAM France
Daniel Schaerer organized the first French-speaking DTS, and YWAM Lausanne sent 40 young people from the Chalet-à-Gobet to start YWAM France in Charmes, also later Gault-la-Forêt.
1979: Launch of YWAM Burtigny
"La Maison", a former orphanage, was entrusted to YWAM, and several French-speaking families moved in to transform the premises into a training center, while caring for the former residents until their death.
1982: First Summer Service in French-speaking Africa
The first 5-week summer service in French-speaking Africa was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with 110 Europeans and 110 Africans.
1984: Birth of Les Fabricants de Joie (King’s Kids in the French-speaking world)
In 1984, the birth of Les Fabricants de Joie (FJ – King’s Kids in the French-speaking world) with Louise Neuenschwander Aubry and a first tour with the show La machine à musique.
1987: Donation of the centers of Châtel and Bugnaux
A foundation donated the Châtel and Bugnaux centers to YWAM, which would become centers with an emphasis on service, counseling and restoration.
1992: Creation of Porteurs de vie
In 1992, creation of Porteurs de vie, an evangelization team at the service of the French-speaking world, initiated by Carlo and Michèle Brugnoli. To date, Porteurs de Vie has 8 permanent teams in Africa, about 90 evangelistic campaigns per year, church planting entrusted to inviting denominations, distribution of audio Bibles in local languages by smartphones, equipping Christians, children's ministry, seminars for couples...
1993: Closing of the Lausanne center
The cantonal administration closes the Lausanne center which has to be completely transformed. The center was emptied, only the outside walls remained and almost no staff members. The Cunninghams were invited to come back to relaunch the base, which they did the following year with a team.
2005: Next Wave Tour and Paris je t'aime
Organization of the New Wave Tour with Loren Cunningham and a team visiting several cities in French-speaking Switzerland and France to mobilize youth. First Paris je t'aime summer service in partnership with YWAM Lausanne and several French-speaking Swiss individuals.
2009: 40 years of YWAM in Switzerland
In 2009, 40 years of YWAM in Switzerland. The cathedral of Lausanne hosted a big celebration with Loren Cunningham. The ice rink in Malley was rented for a big gathering with more than 1000 participants. 40 churches received a YWAMer to preach on the anniversary Sunday. A VIP meeting was organized at the Chalet-à-Gobet with alumni, many pastors and mission leaders, as well as donors.
2016: Launch of YWAM Geneva
YWAM Geneva started with Thiéry and Rebecca Terraz. A small team would form around them little by little.
2020: Start of YWAM Yverdon
The different ministries established in Yverdon (FJ, musical team, YWAM editions) grouped in a more official way to form YWAM Yverdon and the region.
2021: YWAM Lausanne doubles its capacity
After years of prayer and obedience, 5 new buildings were completed and YWAM Lausanne able to double its capacity.
2021: Launch of YWAM Ships Switzerland
With the legacy of YWAMs medical ships, YWAM Ships Switzerland in Burtigny have purchased a ship, Island Reach with the vision of serving the french speaking islands beginning with Madagascar.