YWAM - this is your new website! YWAMlife.com has been developed to provide a place where YWAMers (you know who you are!) can find the resources and information you need to be more effective in pursuing your vision with Youth With A Mission.

Copies of YWAM's key documents and crisis management procedures which you never seem to have nearby when you need them are here. Advice and articles from YWAM leaders and others who have been there and done that, might help you avoid making the same mistakes. Information about global events and training, particularly if you are leading a team, will be posted here, as well as global news.

We have confirmed reports that the YWAM Ambulance in Haiti was involved in a car accident while transporting cholera patients this morning late last week.

According to updates on Twitter the ambulance crashed and was damaged, but thankfully no one was hurt. Those in the back of the ambulance reported that although the ambulance flipped, the passengers reported that it “felt like they rolled on pillows”.

When you think about it, “family” is a good description for how we relate to one another in Youth With A Mission. We are constantly “birthing” new ministries, nurturing them until they grow enough to care for themselves and then birth their own new families. Over 50 years, we have seen our YWAM family grow and migrate to nations all over the globe. So, like many modern families, we may not all see each other as often as we’d like, but we know that if we need one another, the family is there.

Great was the joy and the noise that was heard near the YWAM base in Buenos Aires, Argentina upon the arrival of Loren and Darlene Cunningham. Many came to share the joy of the 50 years: some missionaries came in from the field to celebrate, ex-YWAMers left their countries, even friends of the Mission were present in these days to remember the acts of God, celebrate His faithfulness and honor the obedience and commitment of all. It was a party, a mass party of about 500 attendees from more than 30 different nations.

The celebration of the mission's 50-year anniversary at YWAM Pichilemu, from October 27-29, was an opportunity to strengthen ties with the community by inviting regional authorities. It also was a time to celebrate the faithfulness of God during these 50 years, and the great future that awaits us as an organization in Chile. We enjoyed typical Chilean dances and dramas that illustrated the beginnings of YWAM.

“Mr. Cunningham, you’re as pretty as a princess,” said three-year-old Brianna, during the video shown at the Thanksgiving Love Feast for Loren and Darlene. The preschool children stole the show with their heartfelt greetings to the Cunninghams. Dancers, along with Radiant Kids, the children’s ministry of YWAM Tyler, raised flags from around the world as they sang “We Speak to Nations.”

Nearly 600 current staff, families and students attended the Sunday night Feast. It was the first event of a joy filled celebration. The Presdient of Mercy Ships, Don and Deyon Stephens were among some of the guests honored. Jim and Janice Rogers and other early YWAM East Texas pioneers such as Larry Allen, Woody Woodward, Bonnie Moore, Herb & Sue Haines, Mark & Mary Brock, Jeff Johnston, Jim & Barb Kilkenny, Bev Kline and Doreen Hague were also present. Most of these people are still with YWAM today.

If you missed joining the celebrations in Kona, Hawaii, which ended a year of recognising what God has done in YWAM for the last 50 years, Scott's report will give you a taste of what went on as a large crowd gathered from around the world to reunite, remember and rejoice.

Later this week, ywamlife.com will be posting reports from the GLOBAL LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS which began after the 50th celebration. Check back daily for updates.

YWAM’s Global Leadership Team (GLT) began their first full day of meetings with an exhortation from Chairman Lynn Green to meditate on 2 Chronicles 5, in which Solomon prepares the Temple to receive the Ark of the Covenant.

“God wants to bring more of his presence into YWAM,” said Lynn. “We need to prepare ourselves to become a fit habitation for the Lord.”

Lynn also stressed the importance of “moving away from business world terms that do not define us” in day-long discussions about reorienting YWAM’s leadership structure to respond more effectively to the word of the Lord and the challenges of a changing world.

YWAM’s Global Leadership Team (GLT) met for its second full day at Kona’s King’s Mansion on Thursday, and came away bursting with new vision and a plan to reshape the mission’s top leadership structure.

Report No. 3 from 2010 GLT:

The YWAM Global Leadership Team (GLT), made up of leaders representing every corner of the globe, got a preview of results from the latest international survey of its staff and operating locations during its last full day of meetings Friday at King’s Mansion in Kona.

The results, presented by Bryan B of the YWAM international Communications Office in Colorado Springs, showed significant growth in staff since 2006 – from 16,590 to 18,255, but the number of operating locations grew only slightly 1,191. The number of countries and territories with active YWAM bases grew from 171 to 183.