Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affirms the Bible as the authoritative
word of God and, with the Holy Spirit's inspiration, the absolute
reference point for every aspect of life and ministry.
Based upon God's
word, who He is, and His initiative of salvation, the following
responses are strongly emphasized in YWAM:
Worship: We are called to praise and worship God alone
Holiness: We are called to lead holy and righteous lives that exemplify the nature and character of God
Witness: We are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him
Prayer:
We are called to engage in intercessory prayer for the people and
causes on God's heart, including standing against evil in every form
Fellowship: We are called to commit to the Church in both its local nurturing expression and its mobile multiplying expression.
The
Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission are the expression of our
basic beliefs coupled with specific directives given by God since
YWAM's beginning in 1960. They are recorded here in order to pass on to
successive generations that which God has emphasized to us. These
shared beliefs and values are the guiding principles for both the past
and future growth of our mission. Some are common to all Christians
everywhere; others are distinctive to Youth With A Mission. The
combination of these beliefs and values make up the unique family
characteristics of YWAM--our "DNA." They are values we hold in high
regard which determine who we are, how we live and how we make
decisions.
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. This is 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 of YWAM requires the integration of spiritual eldership,
freedom in the Spirit and relationship, centered on the Word of God.
6. CHAMPION YOUNG PEOPLE
YWAM
is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young
people to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to 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, with
overall international accountability to the YWAM Global Leadership Team.
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 WORLDVIEW
YWAM is called
to a Biblical 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 God-given leadership and
ministry gifts in both men and women.
15. VALUE FAMILIES
YWAM
affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions,
not just the father and/or mother. We 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. RELY ON RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT
YWAM
is called to a relationship-based support system, depending upon God
and His people for financial provision, both corporately and
individually. We believe that relationship-based support promotes
responsibility, accountability, communication, and mutual prayer. It
involves the donor as a partner in ministry. As God and others have
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.
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