YWAM’s sincerely held purpose, core beliefs and foundational values and practices have been compiled in response to specific directives given by God since YWAM’s beginning in 1960. They are recorded here to pass on to successive generations that which God has emphasized to us.
This shared purpose and our YWAM 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.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affirms the Bible as the inspired and authoritative word of God and the absolute reference point for every aspect of life and ministry. Based upon God’s word, who He is, and His initiative of salvation, through the atoning work of Jesus (His death, burial and resurrection), the following responses are strongly emphasized in YWAM:
Worship
We are called to praise and worship God alone
Service
We are called to contribute toward God’s Kingdom purposes in every sphere of life
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 combination of this purpose, beliefs, values and practices makes up the unique family characteristics of YWAM–our ‘DNA’. They are the framework we hold in high regard for they help us determine who we are, how we live and how we make decisions.
A YWAMer is someone who has completed a YWAM Discipleship Training School and who joyfully embraces our Statement of Purpose, Core Beliefs, Foundational Values, Legacy Words and Covenants.
YWAM’s Foundational Values
1. KNOW GOD
YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character, and His ways as revealed in the Bible, the inspired and authoritative Word of God. 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 Ki 19:19; Job 42:5; Ps 46:10; Ps 103:7-13; Jer 9:23-24; Hos 6:3; John 17:3; Eph 1:16-17; Php 3:7-11; 1 Jo 2:4-6)
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. (1 Chr. 16:24-27; Ps 68:11; Ps 71:15-16; Ps 145:4-7; Mat 28:18-20; Mar 16:15; Act 1:8; Act 13:1-4a; Rom 10:8-15; Rom 15:18-21)
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 on hearing His voice as individuals, together in team contexts, and in larger gatherings, as an integral part of our process for decision making. (1 Sam 3:7-10; 2 Chr 15:2-4; Ps 25:14; Isa 6:8; Amos 3:7; Luke 9:35; John 10:1-5; John 16:13-15; Heb 3:7-8, 15; Rev 2: 7,11,17,27; 3:6,13,22)
4. PRACTICE WORSHIP AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER
YWAM is dedicated to worship God 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 rely upon God’s empowering presence, the Holy Spirit, to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of nations. (1 Sam 7:5; 2 Chr 7:14; Ps 84:1-8; Ps 95:6-7; Ps 100:1-5; Mark 11:24-25; Acts 1:14; Eph 6:13-20; 1 Th 5:16-19; 1 Ti 2:1-4)
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. (Num 12:6; 1 Sam 12:16; Pro 29:18; Ezek 1:1; Hab 2:2-3; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 9:1-6;, Act 16:9-10; Acts 26:19; 2 Pe 3:9-13)
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. (1 Sam 17:32-50; Ecc 4:13-14; Ecc 12:1-7; Jer 1:5-10; Dan 1:17-20; Joel 2:28; John 6:9; Acts 16:1-5; 1 Ti 4:12-16; 1 Jo 2:12-14)
7. BE DECENTRALIZED
YWAM is a Christ-centred, faith-based, global volunteer movement, united by shared vision, core beliefs, foundational values and relationships. We do not have a centralized structure. Every YWAM ministry has the privilege and spiritual responsibility to develop and maintain healthy relationships with appropriate authorities and circles of elders. (Exo 18:13-26; Num 1:16-19; Num 11:16-17, 24-30; Deu 29:10-13; Josh 23:1-24, 28; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:1-31; 1 Cor 3:4-11; Tit 1:5-9; Heb 13:7, 17)
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. (Gen 12:1-4; Gen 26:2-5; Ps 57:9-10; Jer 32:27; Dan 7:13-14; Acts 20:4; 1 Cor 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16; Col 3:11; Rev 7:9)
9. HAVE A BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
YWAM is called to a biblical Christian worldview. We believe that the Bible–the textbook for all of life–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. (Deu 8:1-3; Deu 32:45-47; 2 Ki 22:8; Ps 19:7-11; Luke 8:21; John 8:31-32; Php 4:8-9; 2 Ti 3:16-17; Heb 4:12-13; Jam 4:17)
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. (Deu 32:30-31; 2 Chr 17:7-9; Pro 15:22; Ecc 4:9-12; Mark 6:7-13; Rom 12:3-10; 2 Cor 1:24; Eph 5:21; Php 2:1-2; 1 Pe 4:8)
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. (Deu 10:12-13; Ps 84:10; Isa 42:1-4; Mic 6:8; Mark 10:42-45; John 13:3-17; Rom 16:1-2; Gal 5:13-14; Php 2:3-11; 1 Pe 4:10-11)
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. (Deu 4:5-8; Ezr 7:10; Ps 51:12-13; Ps 119:17-18; Pro 1:1-4; Mat 7:28-29; Acts 1:1-2; Col 3:12-17; 2 Ti 4:1-5; 2 Pe 1:5-10)
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. (Lev 19:18; Ps 133:1-3; Pro 17:17; Pro 27:10; John 13:34-35; John 15:13-17; John 17:20-23; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Jo 1:7; 1 Jo 4:7-12)
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. (Gen 1:27; Lev 19:13-16; Deu 16:18-20; Ps 139:13-16; Mark 8:34-37; Acts 10:34-35; Gal 3:28; Eph 6:5-9; Heb 2:11-12; Jam 2:1-9)
15. VALUE FAMILIES
YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother.  We also embrace the inclusion of single-parent families. 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. We uphold and celebrate the Biblical view that God’s intent for holy matrimony is between one man and one woman. (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; 1 Cor 7: 1-16; 1 Ti 3:2-5; Heb 13:4)
16. PRACTICE DEPENDENCE ON GOD
YWAM is a volunteer movement called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For individuals and any YWAM team or community, this comes primarily through His people. As God has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous, giving ourselves, our time, and talents to God with no expectation of remuneration. (Gen 22:12-14; Exo 36:2-7; Num 18:25-29; Mal 3:8-12; Mat 6:25-33; Luk 19:8-9; 2 Cor 8:1-9:15; Php 4:10-20; Tit 3:14; 3 Jo 5-8)
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, YWAM locations 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. (Gen 18:1-8; 2 Sam 9:1-11; Ps 68:5-6; Pro 22:9; Isa 58:7; Mat 25:31-46; Acts 28:7-8; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:1-3; 1 Pe 4:9)
18. COMMUNICATE WITH INTEGRITY
YWAM affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore, YWAM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely, and relevant communication. We believe good communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families, and communities, and effective ministry. (Gen 1:3-5; Num 23:19; Pro 10:19; Pro 25:9-14; Zec 8:16-17; Mat 5:33-37; Luke 4:16-22; John 1:1-5; Col 4:6; Jam 3:1-18)