How Did It All Begin?

YWAM's links with England started in 1970, when a team came over from Switzerland to do a Summer of Service. YWAM England was founded by Lynn and Marti Green the following year, in response to the need for Western young people to be given the opportunity to receive life-changing training.

YWAM England is part of YWAM International, an international, interdenominational Christian missionary organisation. YWAM was born out of a vision from God given to Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, in 1956. (See across)

Global
"sending and supporting missionaries around the world"

YWAM England is committed to sending workers to reach out to the world with the love of Jesus, and provides the training and infrastructure to ensure they are fully equipped and supported. Currently, nearly 300 British YWAMers are working overseas, in a variety of situations, such as working with people who have no knowledge of Jesus, helping street children, relief and development projects, and counselling in crisis situations.

Urban
"working in England's cities and towns"

England is a largely urban nation, yet, sadly, many of our urban people are hurting people living in desperate situations. In response to this need, YWAM England has established Urban Mission Teams, which partner with local churches to show God's compassion and care and share the gospel message on our city streets. They work with prostitutes, children and youth, marginalised and vulnerable people, ethnic minorities, families and prisoners.

Youth
"working among England's young people and children"

YWAM England's youth and children's work seeks "to influence and empower the youth of this nation to follow Jesus". Our youth and children's teams work in churches, youth groups, schools and universities, using three main methods - relevant evangelism (involving music, art, and missions opportunities), discipleship and leadership training, and partnerships for renewal with churches and organisations.

Marketplace
"equipping and supporting people in their 9-to-5 existence"

Most people trained in YWAM England's discipleship schools go into the workplace, not full-time missions. We believe we need to support these people; we also believe we have a role to play in the lives of those who have had little or no contact with us. Hence YWAM England's Marketplace ministry. We all have a responsibility to "Know God and make Him known" in every sphere of our lives, but many of us struggle to live out our faith in our neighbourhood, campus or workplace.

In response to this need, YWAM England has a number of teams working into the Marketplace, from helping business people to use their skills in missions to the Performing Arts to working in the United 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..."

Excerpt from Is That Really You, God? by Loren CunninghamYWAM Publishing, 1984

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