Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affirms the Bible as the inspired and authoritative word of\u00a0God and, with the Holy Spirit\u2019s guidance, the absolute reference point for every aspect of life and\u00a0ministry. Based upon God\u2019s word, who He is, and His initiative of salvation, through the atoning\u00a0work of Jesus (His death, burial and resurrection), the following responses are strongly\u00a0emphasized in YWAM:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Worship:<\/strong> We are called to praise and worship God alone (Exo 20:2-3; Deu 6:4-5; 2Ki 17:35-39; 1Ch 16:28-30; Neh 8:2-10; Mar 12:29-30; Rom 15:5-13; Jud 24-25; Rev 5:6-14; Rev 19:5-8).<\/p>\n \u2022 Holiness:<\/strong> We are called to lead holy and righteous lives that exemplify the nature and character of God (Lev 19:1-2; Psa 51:7-11; Jer 18:1-11; Eze 20:10-12; Zec 13:9; Luk 1:68-75; Eph 4:21-32; Tit 2:11-14; 1Pe 2:9,21-25; 1Jo 3:1-3)<\/p>\n \u2022 Witness<\/strong>: We are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him (Psa 78:1-7; Isa 40:3-11; Mic 4:1-2; Hab 2:14; Luk 24:44-48; Act 2:32-26; Act 10:39-43; 1Co 9:19-23; 2Co 2:12-17; 1Pe 3:15-18)<\/p>\n \u2022 Prayer<\/strong>: We are called to engage in intercessory prayer for the people and causes on God\u2019s heart, including standing against evil in every form (Gen 18:20-33; Exo 32:1-16; Jdg 3:9,15; 1Ki 8:22-61; Eze 22:30-31; Eze 33:1-11; Mat 6:5-15; Mat 9:36-38; Eph 3:14-21; 2Th 3:1-5)<\/p>\n \u2022 Fellowship<\/strong>: We are called to commit to the Church in both its local nurturing expression and its mobile multiplying expression (2Ch 29:20-30; Psa 22:25-28; Psa 122:1-4; Joe 2:15-17; Mat 18:19-20; Act 2:44-47; Act 4:32-35; 1Co 14:26-40; Eph 2:11-18; Heb 10:23-25)<\/p>\n \u2022 Service<\/strong>: We are called to contribute toward God\u2019s Kingdom purposes in every sphere\u00a0of life (Deu 15:7-11; Deu 24:17-22; Psa 112:4-9; Pro 11:10-11; Zec 7:8-10; Mat 5:14-16;\u00a02Th 3:13; Tit 3:4-8; Heb 13:15-16; Jam 2:14-26).<\/p>\n YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His ways as revealed in the\u00a0Bible, the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect\u00a0of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God\u00a0is a desire to share Him with others. (2Ki 19:19; Job 42:5; Psa 46:10; Psa 103:7-13; Jer 9:23-24;\u00a0Hos 6:3; Joh 17:3; Eph 1:16-17; Php 3:7-11; 1Jo 2:4-6).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to make God known throughout the whole world, and into every arena of\u00a0society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries. We believe that salvation of souls\u00a0should result in transformation of societies thus obeying Jesus\u2019 command to make disciples of all\u00a0nations. (1Ch 16:24-27; Psa 68:11; Psa 71:15-16; Psa 145:4-7; Mat 28:18-20; Mar 16:15;\u00a0Act 1:8; Act 13:1-4a; Rom 10:8-15; Rom 15:18-21).<\/p>\n YWAM is committed to creating with God through listening to Him, praying His prayers and\u00a0obeying His commands in matters great and small. We are dependent upon hearing His voice as\u00a0individuals, together in team contexts and in larger corporate gatherings, as an integral part of\u00a0our process for decisionmaking. (1Sa 3:7-10; 2Ch 15:2-4; Psa 25:14; Isa 6:8; Amo 3:7; Luk 9:35;\u00a0Joh 10:1-5; Joh 16:13-15; Heb 3:7-8,15; Rev 2:7,11,17,27; 3:6,13,22).<\/p>\n YWAM is dedicated to worship Jesus and engage in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of\u00a0daily life. We also recognize the intent of Satan to destroy the work of God and we call upon\u00a0God\u2019s power and the Holy Spirit to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and in the\u00a0affairs of nations. (1Sa 7:5; 2Ch 7:4; Psa 84:1-8; Psa 95:6-7; Psa 100:1-5; Mar 11:24-25;\u00a0Act 1:14; Eph 6:13-20; 1Th 5:16-19; 1Ti 2:1-4).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to be visionary, continually receiving, nurturing and releasing fresh vision from\u00a0God. We support the pioneering of new ministries and methods, always willing to be radical in\u00a0order to be relevant to every generation, people group, and sphere of society. We believe that the\u00a0apostolic call of YWAM requires the integration of spiritual eldership, freedom in the Spirit and\u00a0relationship, centered on the Word of God. (Num 12:6; 1Sa 12:16; Pro 29:18; Eze 1:1;\u00a0Hab 2:2-3; Mar 1:35-39; Luk 9:1-6; Act 16:9-10; Act 26:19; 2Pe 3:9-13).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young people to\u00a0spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to value, trust, train, support, make space and\u00a0release them. They are not only the Church of the future; they are the Church of today. We\u00a0commit to follow where they lead, in the will of God. (1Sa 17:32-50; Ecc 4:13-14; Ecc 12:1-7;\u00a0Jer 1:5-10; Dan 1:17-20; Joe 2:28; Joh 6:9; Act 16:1-5; 1Ti 4:12-16; 1Jo 2:12-14).<\/p>\n YWAM is broad-structured and diverse, yet integrated. We are a global family of ministries held\u00a0together by shared foundational covenants, purpose, vision, values and relationships. We believe\u00a0that structures should serve the people and the purposes of God. Every ministry at every level\u00a0has the privilege and responsibility of accountability to a circle of recognized spiritual elders. YWAM is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local\u00a0constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic and denominational diversity, along with\u00a0redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth\u00a0of the Mission. (Gen 12:1-4; Gen 26:2-5; Psa 57:9-10; Jer 32:27; Dan 7:13-14; Act 20:4;\u00a01Co 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16; Col 3:11; Rev 7:9).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to a Biblical Christian worldview. We believe that the Bible \u2013 the textbook for\u00a0all of life \u2013 makes a clear division between good and evil; right and wrong. The practical\u00a0dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions. Everything done in\u00a0obedience to God is spiritual. We seek to honor God with all that we do, equipping and\u00a0mobilizing men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every arena of\u00a0society. (Deu 8:1-3; Deu 32:45-47; 2Ki 22:8; Psa 19:7-11; Luk 8:21; Joh 8:31-32; Php 4:8-9;\u00a02Ti 3:16-17; Heb 4:12-13; Jam 4:17).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a\u00a0combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries and generations working\u00a0together in unity at all levels of our Mission provides wisdom and safety. Seeking God\u2019s will and\u00a0making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship,\u00a0motivation, responsibility and ownership of the vision. (Deu 32:30-31; 2Ch 17:7-9; Pro 15:22;\u00a0Ecc 4:9-12; Mar 6:7-13; Rom 12:3-10; 2Co 1:24; Eph 5:21; Php 2:1-2; 1Pe 4:8).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant\u00a0leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his\/her care and guards their rights\u00a0and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with\u00a0leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead. (Deu 10:12-13; Psa 84:10; Isa 42:1-4;\u00a0Mic 6:8; Mar 10:42-45; Joh 13:3-17; Rom 16:1-2; Gal 5:13-14; Php 2:3-11; 1Pe 4:10-11).<\/p>\n YWAM is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives\u00a0authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an\u00a0individual\u2019s gifts, abilities and expertise. (Deu 4:5-8; Ezr 7:10; Psa 51:12-13; Psa 119:17-18;\u00a0Pro 1:1-4; Mat 7:28-29; Act 1:1-2; Col 3:12-17; 2Ti 4:1-5; 2Pe 1:5-10).<\/p>\n YWAM is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire\u00a0to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open\u00a0communication, rather than a dependence on structures or rules. (Lev 19:18; Psa 133:1-3; Pro\u00a017:17; Pro 27:10; Joh 13:34-35; Joh 15:13-17; Joh 17:20-23; Rom 13:8-10; 1Jo 1:7; 1Jo 4:7-12).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to value each individual. We believe in equal opportunity and justice for all.\u00a0Created in the image of God, people of all nationalities, ages and functions have distinctive\u00a0contributions and callings. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry\u00a0gifts in both men and women. (Gen 1:27; Lev 19:13-16; Deu 16:18-20; Psa 139:13-16;\u00a0Mar 8:34-37; Act 10:34-35; Gal 3:28; Eph 6:5-9; Heb 2:11-12; Jam 2:1-9).<\/p>\n YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father\u00a0and\/or mother. We also embrace the inclusion of single-parent families. We encourage the\u00a0development of strong and healthy family units, with each member sharing the call to missions\u00a0and contributing their gifts in unique and complementary ways. We uphold and celebrate the\u00a0Biblical view that God\u2019s intent for holy matrimony is between one man and one woman.\u00a0(Gen 2:21-24; Gen 18:17-19; Deu 6:6-7; Pro 5:15-23; Pro 31:10-31; Mal 2:14-16; Mat 19:3-9;\u00a01Co 7:1-16; 1Ti 3:2-5; Heb 13:4).<\/p>\n YWAM is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For\u00a0individuals and YWAM corporately this comes primarily through His people. As God has been\u00a0generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time and\u00a0talents to God through the Mission with no expectation of remuneration. (Gen 22:12-14;\u00a0Exo 36:2-7; Num 18:25-29; Mal 3:8-12; Mat 6:25-33; Luk 19:8-9; 2Co 8:1-9:15; Php 4:10-20;\u00a0Tit 3:14; 3Jo 5-8).<\/p>\n YWAM affirms the ministry of hospitality as an expression of God\u2019s character and the value of\u00a0people. We believe it is important to open our hearts, homes, campuses and bases to serve and\u00a0honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as\u00a0expressions of generosity. (Gen 18:1-8; 2Sa 9:1-11; Psa 68:5-6; Pro 22:9; Isa 58:7;\u00a0Mat 25:31-46; Act 28:7-8; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:1-3; 1Pe 4:9).<\/p>\n YWAM affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore, YWAM is\u00a0committed to truthful, accurate, timely and relevant communication. We believe good\u00a0communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families and communities, and\u00a0effective ministry. (Gen 1:3-5; Num 23:19; Pro 10:19; Pro 25:9-14; Zec 8:16-17; Mat 5:33-37;\u00a0Luk 4:16-22; Joh 1:1-5; Col 4:6; Jam 3:1-18).<\/p>\nYWAM\u2019s Foundational Values<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. KNOW GOD<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. MAKE GOD KNOWN<\/h3>\n
3. HEAR GOD\u2019S VOICE<\/h3>\n
4. PRACTICE WORSHIP AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER<\/h3>\n
5. BE VISIONARY<\/h3>\n
6. CHAMPION YOUNG PEOPLE<\/h3>\n
7. BE BROAD-STRUCTURED AND DECENTRALIZED<\/h3>\n
\n(Exo 18:13-26; Num 1:16-19; Num 11:16-17,24-30; Deu 29:10-13; Jos 23:1-24:28; Act 14:23;\u00a0Act 15:1-31; 1Co 3:4-11; Tit 1:5-9; Heb 13:7,17).<\/p>\n8. BE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL<\/h3>\n
9. HAVE A BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW<\/h3>\n
10. FUNCTION IN TEAMS<\/h3>\n
11. EXHIBIT SERVANT LEADERSHIP<\/h3>\n
12. DO FIRST, THEN TEACH<\/h3>\n
13. BE RELATIONSHIP-ORIENTED<\/h3>\n
14. VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL<\/h3>\n
15. VALUE FAMILIES<\/h3>\n
16. PRACTICE DEPENDENCE ON GOD<\/h3>\n
17. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY<\/h3>\n
18. COMMUNICATE WITH INTEGRITY<\/h3>\n