Youth with a Mission

Youth With A Mission (YWAM, generally pronounced as "why-wam") is an international, inter-denominational, non-profit Christian missionary organization. Founded by Loren Cunningham in 1960, YWAM's stated purpose is to "know God and to make Him known"."Founders - Loren and Darlene Cunningham". YWAM.
In the nearly 50 years since its inception, YWAM's activities have expanded from youth-focused short term evangelistic missionary journeys to include educational training, church planting, business as mission, and relief and development services. Today, YWAM involves people of every age group.Bishop, Bryan. "Hui Heaven". YWAM. 1 January 2001.
YWAM is now composed of people from over 150 countries and a large number of Christian denominations, with over half of the organization's staff coming from "non-western" countries."The 1990s to Present: Looking With Both Eyes". YWAM. YWAM currently has over 16,000 full-time volunteer workers in nearly 1,100 operating locations in 171 nations and trains 25,000 short-term missions volunteers annually.Youth with a Mission in Derry visit - Derry Today
 
==History==
Youth With A Mission was conceived by Loren Cunningham who tells how in 1956, while a 20-year-old student in the Assemblies of God College, he was traveling in the Bahamas when he had a vision of waves breaking over the Earth. He says when he looked closer the waves appeared to become young people taking the news of Jesus into all the nations of the world. He envisioned a movement that would send young people out after high school to gain a sense of purpose when going to college, and would welcome Christians of all denominations."1956: Beginnings". YWAM.
In late 1960, the name Youth with a Mission was chosen and the small group embarked on their first project, a vocational mission trip. The result was that YWAM sent two men in their early twenties to Liberia to build a road through the jungle to a leper colony. This was the organization's first official mission trip."The 1960's: The Vision of YWAM Comes to Life". YWAM.
By 1963, Cunningham had married Darlene Scratch. By this time, the new mission had 20 volunteers stationed in various nations, and the Cunninghams were planning the mission's first "Summer of Service". Later in the year, YWAM teams were being sent to West Indies, Samoa, Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America. By 1966, there were 10 full-time YWAM staff including the Cunninghams and hundreds of summer short-term volunteers. That year YWAM ministries also began in New Zealand and Tonga."Loren Cunningham". Catalyst Ministries UK.
In 1967, Cunningham began to work on his vision for the first school. It was to be the School of Evangelism in Lausanne, Switzerland, which was held from December 1969 to the middle of 1970 with 36 students. The students' lodging and classes took place in a newly renovated and leased hotel in Lausanne. By the end of the year, YWAM purchased the hotel and made Lausanne its first permanent location.
"The 1970s: Two Hotels, a Shipwreck, and a Vision". YWAM.
YWAM's website states that later in the decade, another YWAM school began that would become the foundation for YWAM's many training programs. By 1974, the School of Evangelism was being offered in New Jersey as well as Lausanne. With a focus on biblical foundations and character development as well as missions, much of the material from this course is now taught in the present day Discipleship Training School (DTS). A format of three months of lectures followed by two or three months of outreach is still used in most Discipleship Training Schools today.
By 1970, YWAM had a total of 40 full-time staff. That year, 1000 volunteer YWAM staff headed to Munich, Germany, to prepare an outreach for the 1972 Summer Olympics. This was the first of many YWAM Olympic outreaches.
The University of the Nations online magazine has stated that Cunningham met scientist and professor Howard V. Malmstadt at a conference in 1974. They started giving educational seminars together, and Cunningham asked Malmstadt to help expand the training arm of the mission. In 1977 YWAM purchased the Pacific Empress Hotel in Kona, Hawaii, and began renovations to turn it into the campus for what was initially called the Pacific and Asia Christian University—the forerunner of University of the Nations."U of N's Founding Father Dr. Howard V. Malmstadt". University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii. In 1978, YWAM began Shining Lights, an outreach to prostitutes in Amsterdam.
By 1979, YWAM's Mercy Ships ministry was launched with the commissioning of the ship "Anastasis" (the Greek word for Resurrection).
YWAM sources state that at the end of the 1980s, YWAM changed the name of its university to University of the Nations (U of N). The concept of a YWAM university that would encompass training programs in hundreds of YWAM locations was developed by Cunningham and Malmstadt."The 1980s: Mercy Ministry Grows Up". YWAM. When communist regimes in Eastern Europe began to fall in the early 1990s, Youth With A Mission began outreaches to countries there, including Albania.Moring, Mark. "Go!". Campus Life. January/February 1999, Vol. 57, No. 6, Page 38. Other efforts in this decade include a school for the disabled in Mongolia.Benson, Brett. "Yvonne Robinson". Today's Christian. May/June 1998.
By 2000, YWAM had over 11,000 staff from over 130 countries and had become almost 50 percent non-Western. Reflecting this diversity, in 1999, New Zealander Frank Naea, who has Samoan and Māori parentage, was chosen to become YWAM's first non-white president in 2000, replacing Jim Stier, who was to continue as international director of evangelism and frontier missions and national director for Brazil.
 In 2000, YWAM developed a new role of Executive Chairman, which Jim Stier stepped into, and made the presidency a three-year rotating position. By 2006, YWAM had joined the International Orality Network (ION), a multi-agency outreach effort to "the world's non-literate masses", employing verbal and dramatic means to introduce the Gospel to populations which do not read.
==Structure==
YWAM leaders characterize the organization as a “family of ministries” rather than a structured, hierarchical entity.Bishop, Bryan, ed. YWAM Go Manual, Youth With A Mission’s World Guide, (Seattle, YWAM Publishing, 2007), p 12. YWAM's website says that each of YWAM's 1000+ operating centers is responsible for determining which training programs it will conduct, the character and destination of its outreaches, personnel recruitment, financial sustainment, and ministerial priorities.http://www.ywam.org/contents/abo_wha_structure.htm 
YWAM states they have no international administrative headquarters.
YWAM sources cite the following characteristic as common to all operating locations:
A) The pre-requisite of the Discipleship Training School.
B) The mandate to "know God and make Him known".
C) A threefold ministry of: evangelism, mercy ministry and training/discipleship.
D) A shared statement of faith, vision and values. 
Accountability and leadership are maintained through a system of regional, national and international oversight. The Global Leadership Team (GLT), which consists of approximately 45 leaders from around the world, is considered the authoritative body of leadership for YWAM International. In addition to Loren Cunningham's influential role as Founder, the GLT elects an international Chairperson, and an international President to provide overall leadership and representation to the organization.
==Doctrine and practices==
According to its Statement of Faith Youth With A Mission “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.”http://www.ywam.org/contents/abo_doc_faith.htm 
YWAM teachers and leaders emphasize the following conduct in response to what they understand to be God's initiative of salvation toward humanity: 
A) Worship: A calling to praise and worship God alone.
B) Holiness: A calling to lead holy and righteous lives that exemplify the nature and character of God.
C) Witness: A calling to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him.
D) Prayer: A calling to engage in intercessory prayer for the people and causes on God's heart, including standing against evil in every form.
E) Fellowship: A calling to commit to the Church in both its local nurturing expression and its mobile multiplying expression.http://www.ywam.org/contents/abo_doc_values.htm
Discussing YWAM strategy with the Christian Post, Lynn Green has stated that YWAM missions "would be seen as indigenous". The perception, he claimed, combined with the intensive six-month training program, 'ties everyone together' so as to promote cooperation in working toward national goals.
===Values and philosophy===
YWAM leaders assert that “the unique family characteristics of YWAM—our ‘DNA’” are represented in a document titled, "The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission." According to this document, “These shared beliefs and values are the guiding principles for both the past and future growth of our mission ... They are values we hold in high regard which determine who we are, how we live and how we make decisions.” In February 2004, the Global Leadership Team released a revised statement of YWAM's Foundational Values. A summary of these is as follows: 
1) Know God, 2) Make God Known, 3) Hear God's Voice, 4) Practice Worship and Intercessory Prayer, 5) Be Visionary, 6) Champion Young People, 7) Be Broad-Structured and Decentralized, 8) Be International and Interdenominational, 9) Have a Biblical Worldview 10) Function in Teams, 11) Exhibit Servant Leadership, 12) Do First, Then Teach, 13) Be Relationship-Oriented, 14) Value The Individual, 15) Value Families 16) Rely on Relationship-based Support, 17) Practice Hospitality
Sara Diamond, citing an interview with Gary North, states that YWAM "sees its role as an on-the-ground combat force against liberation theology." Lynn Green, speaking on behalf of YWAM, disagreed that post-modernism is detrimental to youth, because of its oppositions to scientific materialism.
==Ministry==
The three types of ministry that Youth with a Mission emphasizes are Evangelism, Training, and Mercy ministries.
 
===Evangelism===
Sports camps, drama presentations, musical events, along with other creative and performing arts are the avenues through which volunteers and staff share their Christian faith.Cayman Net News: Working for God in the South Pacific
YWAM also engages in church planting, in coordination with churches from various denominations, or alone when working among "unreached people groups" who do not have churches among them.
====Olympic outreaches====
Youth With A Mission has been active in evangelism at the Olympic Games since 1972.
*1972 Summer Olympics, Munich
:It is believed 1,000 volunteers were part of the outreach effort. which included 50 Dutch volunteers under Romkje Fountain (who later founded YWAM Holland)YWAM Associates InTouch Renewal Gathering to be Held in Switzerland
*1976 Summer Olympics, Montreal
:The outreach included street evangelism.Christianity.ca - Everyone Benefits from STM
*‡According to the Christian Post, the 2006 Winter Olympic outreach in Turino was YWAM's 16th, yet the total number of Olympic Summer and Winter games from 1972 to 2006 would need include the 1980 Summer Olympics and still only amount to 15 games. One supposes that the Christian Post has knowledge of YWAM activities at Moscow and one previous event. The 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow were heavily boycotted and afforded little opportunity for evangelism because of Communist precepts. YWAM is presumed not to have participated.
*1984 Summer Olympics, Los AngelesOlympian outreach games in LA attracting thousands of evangelistsMajor faiths to race for souls of 7,200 athletes
:YWAM notes they performed street theater during these games."Performing arts". Youth With A Mission, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
*1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona
:YWAM conducted open-air church services and performed gospel drama and dance in the streets.Freethought Challenges Of The '90s
*1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta
:4,500 YWAM members were active behind the scenes.DAWN News from USA (Atlanta Olympics), Islamic World, Russia About 1,000 volunteers were official greeters at the Olympic VillageNEWS: 1,800 Churches Participating in Olympic Outreach | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Convictionhttp://www.atheists.org/ftpfiles/admin/AANEWS/aanews01.098 and 1,000 more helped with Olympic security and translating.
*1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano
:Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionaries cooperated with YWAM at the Nagano Winter Olympic Games Outreach.International Mission Board:: News & Information According to the YWAM website, the central event was a prayer march from Zenkō-ji, an historic Buddhist temple, to the Olympic Plaza.Japan, April 1998 YWAM News Digest
*2000 Summer Olympics, Sydney
:YWAM Member Kara Miller Stewart participated in an Olympic dance events.O.C. Religion; Orange County File; Events YWAM worked closely with United Bible Societies to distribute Towards the Goal, a sports focused New Testament.UBS World Report 339, March 1999
*2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City
:YWAM was hosted by the Salvation Army.An army of charming volunteers - 2002 Winter Olympics coverage
*2004 Summer Olympics, Athens
:YWAM member musician K. Benny Prasad was invited to perform during these games.Saipan Tribune YWAM also organized arts and music events.Newspaper Archive A YWAM member was arrested for "suspicious activity" and but was later released. Greece is the only European Union (EU) country to ban proselytism in its constitution.http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=321 
*2006 Winter Olympics, Torino
:This was reportedly the 16th YWAM Olympic related event. YWAM used entertainment events such as music, street drama, community festivals and snow boarding clinics for creative interaction.YWAM Prepares for Winter Olympics Outreach in Italy | Christianpost.com
*2012 Summer Olympics, London
:An outreach is planned for the thirtieth Summer Olympic Games in London in 2012.
====Other evangelism ministries====
Other notable evangelism ministries include:
*Shining Lights, an outreach to prostitutes in the red-light districts of Amsterdam.
 
*YWAM Montana has an outreach to St. Croix which includes dancing, basketball, and cookouts. College-aged youth also perform tasks like painting, landscaping, and school maintenance assisting the mission work of Southgate Baptist Church.Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Newspaper, A Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper, Virgin Islands Guide, Virgin Islands Info
*Create International is an international ministry of Youth With A Mission that specializes in the production of media tools to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups. Create International was formed in 1987 and now has centers in Australia, India, and Thailand.[1]
===Training===
The purpose of YWAM training programs is to raise up men and women who will "disciple nations and transform cultures". A central concept to YWAM teaching is the notion of societal "spheres of influence", such as education, government, arts and entertainment, media and communication, business and commerce, family, and church."About". inTouch Camps Europe, YWAM. Last updated 26 July 2008."Q&A with Loren". Transformations, volume 3, page 2, 2006. University of the Nations, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. YWAM aims to train and equip Christians to become influential within these spheres."Perspective: A Fire of Cleansing, in Every Area". International DTS Centre, YWAM. 1 February 2005.
The various training schools of YWAM are organized under the structure of The University of the Nations (U of N). The U of N offers modular courses and is unaccredited."Considerations about accreditation". University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii. Most schools in the U of N system have a three-month lecture phase which is then followed by a two-to-three month field assignment.
====Discipleship Training School====
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is YWAM's entry level training. DTSs are run in YWAM centers around the world with the purpose of teaching students about God and His purposes for humankind. The DTS encourages personal intellectual and spiritual growth and seeks to help graduates find their place serving God in the world. It also provides a foundation for students to continue their education through the U of N. The DTS generally lasts 5–6 months and consists of a 3-month lecture/study phase followed by a 2-3 month evangelistic/service outreach."DTS Prerequisite Policy". International DTS Centre. Last updated 16 December 2006.
Many centers run DTSs that emphasise certain parts of the world or specific ministry strategies which help students use their skills and talents in world missions. Examples of specialized DTSs are the Emerge DTS run by YWAM Wollongong, Australia, Mercy Ministry DTS run by YWAM in Melbourne, Australia, Celtic Way DTS run by YWAM Scotland and a Surfers DTS hosted in Perth, Australia. Information about specialized DTSs and other schools are published each year in the Go Manual, a listing of worldwide training and ministry opportunities with YWAM.YWAM Store, YWAM. DTS, like some other phases of YWAM's operation, sometimes relies on music and dance to help convey vision and purpose."Diana’s Vision Takes a Leap". Ghana Music. 7 February 2005.
DTSs are operated according to the guidelines of the YWAM International DTS Centre,YWAM International DTS Centre which was established to maintain and enhance excellence in DTS programs worldwide in accordance with the DTS purpose and curriculum guidelines set by the International Leadership of Youth With A Mission and the U of N.
====Principles in Child and Youth Ministry====
The Principles in Child and Youth Ministry (PCYM) is YWAM's secondary level training and requires a DTS training.
====Biblical Training====
The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is one of YWAM's many bible training programs. Other Bible training programs offered by YWAM include the School of the Bible (SOTB), Bible School for the Nations (BSN) and School of Biblical Foundations (SBF). SBS was founded by Ron and Judy Smith in September 1981 in Kona, Hawaii. The program is a nine-month course that uses the inductive method to study all 66 books of the bible. SBS worldwide has now conducted about 500 schools in the last twenty-five years and have trained somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 students. SOTB is an 11-month course that includes a 9-month lecture phase and a 6-week outreach. SOTB uses many methods to study through the entire Bible, including Inductive method (historical-grammatical approach), word studies, topical studies, key charts, and literary analysis among others. Other topics include effectively communicating the Bible, leadership, cross-cultural communicating and teaching skills, understanding worldviews, church history, and Biblical principles of government, education and economics.
===Mercy Ministries===
The practical and physical needs of the global community are met by YWAM through Mercy Ministries International. Its humanitarian efforts along with partners reach an estimated 3,000,000+ people annually and is increasing in its aims to be serving 100 million of the world's poor by 2020. YWAM has a mission out of San Diego which builds homes for families in Mexico. Two homes in 2006 were built at a total cost of $30,000. According to Sean Lambert, chief executive officer and president of YWAM San Diego/Baja, teams participating with his base have built 2,084 homes for needy families since 1991.
Fresh Produce Sportswear Brings Color and Hope to Underprivileged Families in Mexico. | PR Newswire (January, 2007) YWAM has a mission working with villagers in Uganda to provide relief for HIV/AIDS. They have established orphanages and are ensuring children are educated. British singer Soroti visited there in 2007.Reuters AlertNet - Christian Aid partners help those left homeless by Ugandan rebelsReuters AlertNet - Lemar returns to Africa for Christian Aid Week
====Marine Reach====
*Marine Reach, the maritime arm of YWAM's Mercy Ministries, uses ships to bring physical and spiritual healing to the poor and needy. YWAM ships have provided vitally important surgeries, dental care, medical supplies, food, seeds, construction materials, development projects, training, and their message to the port cities of the world.Marine Reach - - Youth With a Mission
====Australian Relief & Mercy Services====
*ARMS (Australian Relief & Mercy Services Ltd) is a Christian aid and development organization that cares for the poor and needy both within Australia and overseas. It was founded in Canberra in 1988 and is the Mercy Ministry arm of Youth With A Mission in Australia. ARMS works in nations such as East Timor, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India, Zambia,Vietnam and Uganda. It provides medical support to communities as well as disaster relief teams that serve in natural disasters and war zones. It also supports preschools and orphanages in poor communities, runs primary health care programs, and is also involved in building and construction, water and agricultural projects. According to ARMS newsletters that are stored on their websiteChristian Aid and Development Organisation - ARMS ARMS also sends special intervention teams into disasters and through its ministry RescueNet has sent medical and SAR interventions teams to Iraq 2003,FOM-Apr2003-all linked files Philippines 2004, Aceh (Tsunami) 2004-2005http://arms.org.au/Jan2005.pdf 2005, Pakistan 2006,FOM-Apr 05Advocate_May_4030.indd ARMS has also sent intervention medical teams to East Timor 2006.August 06 In 2007 the ARMS website also announced a major new ministry focus - an international campaign against Malaria called Buzz Off.ARMS The campaign is aimed at empowering smaller NGOs and ministries working in Malaria endemic nations to tackle the problem of Malaria at the local level.Australian Relief and Mercy ServicesRescuenet AustraliaBuzz-Off Project
====Mercy Ships====
*Mercy Ships was founded by YWAM missionaries Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978. It is now operationally distinct from YWAM.YWAM Article Library
====Disaster relief====
Living Waters Church arranged for YWAM to renovate the home of Evelyn and Herschell Hartman in Sulphur, Louisiana after Hurricane Rita.A Happy Ending for one Sulphur Family. KPLC. Flooding in Pakistan in 2007 in the Sindh province prompted a reaction by twenty Muslim, Christian, and Hindu volunteers led by YWAM Pakistan chairman Zafar Francis. They were assisted by an appeal by YWAM London's relief office. They were able to distribute food for a month to 3,000 of the 150,000 homeless survivors there.
===Dangerous work===
Hurricane Katrina flooded all eleven of YWAM New Orleans' buildings. Personnel were evacuated to YWAM bases in Baton Rouge and Tyler, Texas, where volunteers in their MercyWorks relief arm prepared to take food, "baby items" and water to victims once access was granted to relief workers by the National Guard.
 Earlier that year, YWAM lodgings in Phuket, Thailand were destroyed by the tsunami of 26 December 2004.
 In May 2006, Jules was caught in anti-foreign riots overtook Kabul, Afghanistan in May 2006. Violence there left eight people dead and 107 injured.
===Youth ministries===
Despite its historical and value emphasis on young people, YWAM involves people of all ages. However, there is still a core emphasis on youth ministry. While YWAM has many programs focusing on youth ministry, within the larger organization it has developed two transnational ministries for youth: Mission Adventures (MA), and King's Kids International (KKI). YWAM holds an annual spring event offering free dentistry to children in Lindale, TX. The ministry is first come, first served; while thousands are given free treatment, thousands more are turned away, sometimes coming from many states away.Free Health Care in East Texas. KLTV.
===Film projects===
YWAM Missionary Lee Isaac Chung's film Muryangabo (Liberation Day) earned Une Certain Regard at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Chung cast two street kids whom he found through YWAM's soccer-outreach program as the stars of a film that dealt with the moral and emotional repercussions of the Rwandan Genocide.
David Loren Cunningham, son of the group's founders, recently produced a controversial film titled Hakani: A Survivor's Story, which contains a depiction of infanticide among Amazonian tribes of Brazil. The film gave new vigor to the debate on human rights regarding indigenous people.http://livenews.com.au/world/brazilian-infanticide-film-highlights-native-rights/2009/5/23/207487
== Associations and working relationships ==
Youth With A Mission is a global mission with links and partnerships internationally. International Chairman Lynn Green recently reported that YWAM representatives often sit "on boards of other commissions" and organizations.
YWAM also works closely in with various missions and churches, as well as independent missionaries across the globe. One notable working relationship is the OneStory ProjectThe OneStory Partnership which is a partnership between YWAM, Campus Crusade for Christ, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Trans World Radio, and Wycliffe Bible Translators as well as other Great Commission-focused organizations, churches and individuals.OneStory - About Us United Bible Societies has also worked closely with YWAM as a missions partner. YWAM joined with the Evangelical Alliance and John C. Maxwell to design the training program for the Global Pastors Network's Million Leaders Mandate.Evangelical Alliance & YWAM to Launch Million Leaders Training Programme YWAM and Christian Direction work together to pray for Muslims during Ramadan.Religion Today Summaries - October 4, 2006 YWAM Pittsburgh has been involved in ecumenical local efforts to revive Epiphany School through teaching young people "Christian principles" and exposing them to dance and the arts.Epiphany School given new life - PittsburghLIVE.com
===Partnerships===
YWAM partners with:
*Christian Aid
*Campus Crusade for Christ
*International Mission Board
*Trans World Radio
*Wycliffe Bible Translators
*World Vision What Others Say About YWAM
*Food for the Hungry What Others Say About Us
===Memberships===
YWAM is a member of:
*the International Orality Network
*Call2All, an 200 organization initiative of the Global Pastors Network to lead a billion souls to ChristYWAMers Join Global Initiative to Bring One Billion to Christ
*OneStory Project
===Endorsements===
*Church of God Assistant Director Douglas Leroy has noted the cooperation between COG and YWAM, among others, and endorses cooperation with mission groups "who have expertise in certain areas, without compromising our doctrinal or policy integrity."FaithNews Network
===Notable people associated with YWAM===
*David Loren Cunningham
*Loren Cunningham
*Joy Dawson
*Keith GreenMission Frontiers August 1999 Keith Green Commands Us to Go
*Howard Malmstadt
*Kevin McGrady
*Bernie Ogilvy
*Twila Paris
*Ten Shekel ShirtHannibal Courier-Post Local Happenings Story Bebo Norman to appear at Orpheum Theatre October 30 10/19/02
==Recent Press Coverage==
A gunman, identified as a former YWAM student Matthew Murray, shot four staff members at the missionary training center near Denver in the early morning hours on December 9, 2007, killing two, after being refused access to the training center's facilities.
 
Afterwards, YWAM's School of Writing director Janice Rogers noted that YWAM had been the victim of violent offenders before, including homicides and other violent acts, although this is the first act of aggression against the mission on US soil, according to Mrs Rogers. Rogers stated that there are "two predominant reasons YWAM'ers have been killed; robbery or crime, or spiritual resistance to the Gospel".
Youth With A Mission's Dean Sherman also released two podcast messages in response to the shootings.
*Video Response from Dean Sherman, a well known YWAM teacher
*Audio Response from Dean Sherman, a well known YWAM teacher
==Political Affiliation & Involvement==
Youth with A Mission officially has no political affiliations or working relationships. However, the YWAM website acknowledges that "Individual YWAM staff and students come from a wide variety of political backgrounds and affiliations." "" YWAM FAQs
====Member Affiliation====
Some of the most notable political affiliations of individual YWAM staff is in New Zealand. Bernie Ogilvy, a former national director of YWAM in New Zealand, Larry Baldock, a former YWAM staffer,"Team Kiwi". The Kiwi Party. and other evangelical Christians entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2002 representing the United Future New Zealand party. Ogilvy, Baldock and Frank Naea, former International President of YWAM, are on the Board of The Kiwi Party and are standing for the party in the 2008 New Zealand Parliamentary election. Simonne Dyer, former CEO of the ship Anastasis, is another candidate for the party."Simonne Dyer". The Kiwi Party.
====Accusation of Political Alliances====
Sara Diamond's 1989 book Spiritual Warfare includes an account alleging that Loren Cunningham supported a 1982 coup by Efraín Ríos Montt in Guatemala, by drawing connections from an alleged meeting between an unnamed Rios Montt aide and a group of Christian representatives that may have included YWAM's founder, Loren Cunningham.
 | quote = Ríos Montt's ascension to power [by coup in 1982] was celebrated by the U.S. Christian Right as a sign of divine intervention in Central America.... In May, 1982, [Pat] Robertson told the New York Times that his Christian Broadcasting Network would send missionaries and more than a billion dollars in aid to help Rios Montt rule the country. While Robertson's offer never came to fruition, it enabled Rios Montt to convince the U.S. Congress that he would not seek massive sums of U.S. aid. Instead, he would rely on "private aid from U.S. evangelicals. Toward that end, Rios Montt's aide... came to the United States for a meeting with... [Reagan consigliore] Edwin Meese, Interior Secretary James Watt... and Christian Right leaders Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Loren Cunningham).
 }} Diamond also accused YWAM of having "sought to gain influence within the Republican party."
In 2005, Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Youth With A Mission of offering to donate $10 million to train youth. It is unclear how this would benefit Rod Parsley's Restoration Ohio project, however American's United suggests it would contribute to politically conservative goals as well as towards evangelizing Ohioans.Ohio Pastor Launches $30-Million Campaign For Nation's 'Restoration'
 
In 2009, YWAM was linked to property used for hosting Bible studies, prayer meetings, and as boarding facilities for members of the US Congress [Roig-Franzia, Manuel (June 26, 2009) "The Political Enclave That Dare Not Speak Its Name." Washington Post. Retrieved on July 12, 2009 
====Teachings on Ministry and Government====
YWAM's founder Loren Cunningham, along with Bill Bright of Campus Crusade developed a strategy in 1975 for influencing what they felt were seven main segments or spheres of society and culture. One of these segments included fighting a spiritual "battle" to "take back", or redeem, the "mountain of government."Video (posted on January 29, 2008). "Reclaim 7 Mountains of Culture" Although the idea behind this teaching is to influence government through spiritual means, it has been the cause for some concern in the blogosphere.Wilson, Bruce, aka Troutfishing (July 11, 2009). "Ensign House Owned By Group Proposing Christian World Control Plot." Daily Kos. Retrieved on July 12, 2009.
==Criticism and controversy==
Along with positive experiences within YWAM,Not Married-with-Children | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical ConvictionCollege—It's Closer Than You Think! | Today's Christian Woman | Your Life. Your Faith. Your World there have also been allegations by former members that a few YWAM leaders with authoritarian personalities have intimidated subordinates and traumatized those deemed to be "rebellious."
 Some of the political involvements of its founders and members have also been examined by the media.
 It is also claimed by Christian apologists that YWAM has taught some controversial doctrines.Gomes, Alan W. (1981). Lead Us Not Into Deception - A Biblical Examination of Moral Government TheologyBeisner, E. Calvin. (1994). The False God and Gospel of Moral Government Theology. 
====Staff & Leadership Concerns====
In 1990, controversial researcher and self-proclaimed cult specialist Rick Ross published an evaluation of Youth with a Mission. Ross' research included an interview with several YWAM members, information obtained from Christian Research Institute, the pre-Scientology Cult Awareness Network, the book Spiritual Warfare by Sara Diamond, and further mention of YWAM in Charisma Magazine, although the source material is not fully documented in his research. Ross' self-published report cited both positive and negative aspects of, and experiences in, YWAM. Ross's 1990 conclusion was that he did not "recommend Youth With A Mission" or it's programs. No further updates or clarifications have been published by Ross in the intervening decades.
In the wake of the 2007 shootings, the Fox News Network asked Rick Ross to clarify his position. "Youth With A Mission is not a cult," stated Ross, "However, I have received very serious complaints about Youth With a Mission from former staffers, family members and also others concerned."
====Correcting impressions====
The Wellington New Zealand Star-Times also examined politician Bernie Ogilvy's connection to the organization during this time period. In the report, Ogilvy confirmed that the group has been called a "cult" by overseas sceptics but said that impression had been corrected. The Star-Times reported that YWAM made enough money to buy up to 12 Auckland houses and that Ogilvy at one point lived in a large house with a swimming pool as the National Director. Ogilvy stated that the houses were all sold and the money given away. James B. Jordan, however, persisted in calling YWAM a cult as late as April 1994.
====Theological concerns====
Evangelical theologians Alan Gomes and E. Calvin Beisner claim that certain unorthodox doctrines were taught at some YWAM locations from the 1970s until the 1990s.
YWAM's endorsement of Moral Government Theology (Arminian view of the Atonement) and teaching on Spiritual mapping has been controversial as well.
==Responses to criticism==
As of 2008, David Clark, director of Youth With A Mission in Minneapolis, acknowledges these concerns with a rebuttal in two main points. "People have been hurt," stated Clark which he attributes to the freedom of the leadership of each base combined with the actions of a few "bad apples" who haven't adhered to core principles. Clark addressed the theological concerns by citing Youth With A Mission's acceptance of the National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith. He noted that many YWAM critics are "radical individuals who do not appreciate theological diversity" and "hard-core Calvinists", while claiming the ecumenical spirit within the organization embraces Calvinists.
==References==
===Notes===
===Further reading===
* Blumenthal, Max. The Nightmare of Christianity The Nation (September 9, 2009)
*Cunningham, L. w/ Rogers, Janice, The Book that Transforms Nations, YWAM Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1576583813
*Cunningham, L., Is That Really You God?, YWAM Publishing, 1984. ISBN 1-57658-244-2
* McClung, Floyd Jr. and Charles Paul Conn. Just Off Chicken Street. USA, Fleming H. Revell, 1975. ISBN 0800706994.
* McClung, Floyd. Basic Discipleship. InterVarsity Press, 1992. ISBN 0830813195.
* McClung, Floyd. The Father Heart of God: Experiencing the Depths of His Love for You. Harvest House Publishers, 2004. ISBN 0736912150.
* Schaeffer, Edith, Francis A. Schaeffer and Deirdre Ducker. L'Abri. USA, Crossways Books, 1992. ISBN 0891076689.
* Schaeffer, Francis. The God who is There. 1968.
==External links==
*YWAM Official site
*YWAM's Knowledgebase
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