About Youth With A Mission
What is Youth With A Mission?
Youth With A Mission 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.Over 12,000 full-time workers are working at more than 750 centers in 135 nations.
Suddenly, I was looking 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 their 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 street corners and outside bars. They were going from house to house. They were preaching. Everywhere they were caring for people…
from Is That Really You, God?
by Loren Cunningham, YWAM’s founder.
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.
Facts and Figures
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is a non-profit, international, interdenominational Christian Missions organization. Since YWAM was founded in 1960 by Loren Cunningham, thousands have been involved worldwide in fulfilling Christ's command to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15)
Youth With A Mission draws people from a great diversity of backgrounds to work in a wide variety of ministries. Young people, families, retired persons, and professionals from more than 100 nations are among our ranks. Each year about 30,000 Christians are involved in YWAM's short-term projects the world over. Over 9,000 permanent staff are working at 600 centers in 133 nations.
There are three main ways we are involved in the goal of taking the Gospel to all the world:
- Evangelism - spreading God's message
- Training - preparing workers to reach others
- Mercy Ministries - showing God's love through practical assistance