is an international movement of Christians working to help make a difference
in a needy world. Founded in 1960, it is now one of the largest
interdenominational and international Christian ministries, with about
13,000 volunteer staff (and thousands more affiliated workers) based in over
800 locations in over 145 countries.
In addition, tens of thousands more people from scores of nations are
involved on a short-term basis each year. Coming from many different
backgrounds and working in a wide range of situations, YWAMers are united in
their desire to be part of changing people's lives for the better. They have
responded to the "Great Commission"--Jesus' command to His disciples to go
into all the world and tell the Good News.
They believe the gospel of Jesus is not just about words, but also actions.
So they share their faith through many different kinds of practical help--from
agricultural training to running medical clinics--as well as telling about
the Christian beliefs that inspire their actions.
is an
integral part of both training and mercy ministries, but also an emphasis of
its own. Drama, music, performing arts and sports camps are among the
creative tools YWAM staff use to share their faith in a way that makes sense
to their audience--whether it be teenagers, elderly refugees, or an
unreached people group.
YWAM also engages in church planting, in coordination
with churches and denominations, or on its own among people groups who don't
have churches among them yet. Check out related sites at YWAM
Church Planting
Coaches | YWAM Frontier Missions
meets some of the practical and physical needs of over 400,000 people annually. Caring for street children in South America; aiding in the recovery of drug addicts in North America and Western Europe; feeding and housing refugees and women in need in Africa and Asia, operating ocean-traversing ships demonstrating and declaring the Good News practically and verbally, are just some of the ways in which helping hands are extended. Check out related sites at Mercy Ministry International | Marine Reach
aims to better equip Christians to serve others in everything from
agriculture and health care, to drug rehabilitation and biblical counseling.
Through the mission's degree-granting
University of the Nations
(see also the
Kona Campus
--largest UofN campus), staff can study in specialized areas such
as science and technology, communications, the humanities, and Christian
ministry.
The basic YWAM school that is a requirement for
applying as YWAM staff, and serves as a prerequisite to all other training
programs, is called
Discipleship Training School (DTS).
Each year some 10,000 students follow one or more of several hundred schools--in
about 250 different locations. Most YWAM schools combine classroom teaching
with practical service application.