Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affirms the Bible as the authoritative word of God and, with the Holy Sprit'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 emphasizes 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.
Psalms 100:3; Psalms 135:5-6; Psalms 103:7-8; Psalms 91:1-16; Psalms 123:1-2; Psalms 145:1-21; Psalms 101:1-3;Philippians 3:7-11; John 15:5; Exodus 33:11a; Numbers 23:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:3-4; John 5:30; John 17:3; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 54:5
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.
Acts 13:2-3; Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-17, especially vv 14, 15; Romans 15:18-21; Isaiah 6:8; Luke 24:47; John 17:18; Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 44:6-8; Acts 26:19-20; Mark 1:17-18; Matthew 9:9; Acts 13:44-49
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, as an integral part of our process for decision
making.
John 5:30; John 10:1-4; John 10:16-18, especially v 16; John
16:13; Psalms 25:14; Amos 3:7; Isaiah 6:8;
2 Chronicles 7:12-18; Acts 9:3-6; Ezekiel 2:3; 1 Samuel 3:10;
Acts 26:12-20
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.
Worship- Ephesians 5:19-20; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalms
100:1-5
Praise-Psalms 29:1; Psalms 150:1-6
Intercession -Esther 4:14-16; Psalms 32:6; John 17:15-21; Mark
11:24; Acts 1:14; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4;
Genesis 18:16-33, especially 22-24; 2 Chronicles 7:14-15; Nehemiah
1:4-11
Warfare-Matthew 12:25-29; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians
10:3-5; James 4:7
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.
Acts 13:2-3; Acts 16:6-10, especially vv 9, 10; 1 Corinthians 9:20-23; Joshua 1:1-9; Joshua 14:10-12
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, trust, train, support, make space 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.
Joel 2:28; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Samuel 2:18; 1 Samuel 17:33-37; Daniel 1:3,4; Daniel 1:8-9; Jeremiah 1:5-10; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Exodus 33:11
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.
Decentralized-Exodus 18:17-26
Family of Ministries-1 Corinthians 3:4-9; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31;
Nehemiah 3:1-25(all working to complete the whole)
Nehemiah 4:16-20
Accountability-Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; Romans 13:1-5; Acts
15:22
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.
Matthew 24:14(NIV)
Unity and diversity-Ephesians 4:1-16; Revelation 7:9
Diversity-1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Colossians 3:11; Romans 12:3-8
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.
Sacred / secular
Acts 11:9; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19
Zechariah 14:20-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Philippians 2:1-18;
Hebrews 13:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16
John 8:31-32; Romans 14:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-18
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.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 6:7; Ephesians 5:21; Proverbs 15:22; 1 Corinthians 12:1-27; 1 Peter 4:7-11; Romans 12:4-5
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.
Luke 17:7-10; John 13:12-17; Mark 10:42-45 Nehemiah 5:14-18;
Ruth 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:5; Proverbs 27:23
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 individuals
gifts, abilities and expertise.
Ezra 7:10; Acts 1:1; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:5-10; Micah 6:8
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.
I John 4:11-12; I John 1:7; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 2:2-4; Romans 13:8-10; Psalms 133:1-3; John 17:20-23; John 15:13; John 15:17; John 13:34-35; Romans 14:17-19; 1 John 4:7-8
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.
Genesis 1:27, Romans 10:12, Psalms 139:13-16, Galatians 3:28,
1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 4:4-7
Hebrews 13:2, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8, 1 Peter 4:9, Romans
12:13 , II Kings 4:8-10, Proverbs 25:21-22, Proverbs 31:20,
3 John 1:5-8, 3 John 1:5-8, 1 Timothy 3:2, Romans 12:13, 1 Pet
4:9
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.
Joshua 24:15, Acts 10:1-2, Romans 16:3-4, Romans 16:7, Ruth
1:16-18, Matthew 1:18-24,
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
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.
Exodus 3:4, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 6:25-33, Philippians 4:6-7,
Philippians 4:10-12
Generosity
Romans 12:8-13,1 Timothy 6:18, Philippians 4:17-18,Luke 6:38,
Acts 20:35,Psalms 112:5
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, campuses and bases to serve and honor
one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts
of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.
Hebrews 13:2, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8, 1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:13 , II Kings 4:8-10, Proverbs 25:21-22, Proverbs 31:20,, 3 John 1:5-8, 3 John 1:5-8, 1 Timothy 3:2, Romans 12:13, 1 Pet 4:9
YWAM Statement of Purpose:
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation, to mobilizing as many as possible to help in this task, and to the training and equipping of believers for their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. As citizens of God's kingdom, we are called to love, worship, and obey our Lord, to love and serve His Body, the Church, and to present the whole Gospel for the whole person throughout the whole world.
We of Youth With A Mission believe that the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative word, revealing that Jesus Christ is God's son; that people are created in God's image; that He created us to have eternal life through Jesus Christ; that although all people have sinned and come short of God's glory, God has made salvation possible through the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that repentance, faith, love and obedience are fitting responses to God's initiative of grace towards us; that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth; and that the Holy Spirit's power is demonstrated in and through us for the accomplishment of Christ's last commandment, "...Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
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NOTE: The three basic documents of Youth With A Mission are The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission, The Manila Covenant and The Christian Magna Carta. (YWAM Foundational Values approved by the Global Leadership Team August 2003; released February 2004.) Plese visit www.ywam.org for access to additional resources and information.
