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.
2Ki 19:19; Job 42:5; Psa 46:10;
Psa 103:7-13; Jer 9:23-24; Hos 6:3; Joh 17:3; Eph 1:16-17; Php 3:7-11; 1Jo 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.
1Ch 16:24-27; Psa 68:11; Psa 71:15-16; Psa 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 upon hearing
His voice as individuals, together in team contexts and in larger gatherings, as an integral
part of our process for decision making.
1Sa 3:7-10; 2Ch 15:2-4; Psa 25:14; Isa 6:8;
Amo 3:7; Luk 9:35; Joh 10:1-5; Joh 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.
1Sa 7:5; 2Ch 7:14; Psa 84:1-8; Psa 95:6-7;
Psa 100:1-5; Mar 11:24-25; Act 1:14; Eph 6:13-20; 1Th 5:16-19; 1Ti 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, centred on the Word of God.
Num 12:6; 1Sa
12:16; Pro 29:18; Eze 1:1; Hab 2:2-3; Mar 1:35-39; Luk 9:1-6; Act 16:9-10; Act 26:19;
2Pe 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.
1Sa 17:32-50; Ecc
4:13-14; Ecc 12:1-7; Jer 1:5-10; Dan 1:17-20; Joe 2:28; Joh 6:9; Act 16:1-5; 1Ti
4:12-16; 1Jo 2:12-14
7. BE DECENTRALIZED
YWAM is a Christ-centered, 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; Jos 23:1-24:28; Act
14:23; Act 15:1-31; 1Co 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; Psa 57:9-10; Jer 32:27; Dan 7:13-14; Act 20:4;
1Co 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 honour 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; 2Ki 22:8; Psa 19:7-11; Luk 8:21; Joh
8:31-32; Php 4:8-9; 2Ti 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; 2Ch 17:7-9; Pro 15:22; Ecc 4:9-12; Mar 6:7-13; Rom 12:3-10; 2Co
1:24; Eph 5:21; Php 2:1-2; 1Pe 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 honours 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; Psa 84:10; Isa 42:1-4; Mic 6:8; Mar 10:42-45; Joh 13:3-17; Rom 16:1-2;
Gal 5:13-14; Php 2:3-11; 1Pe 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; Psa 51:12-13; Psa
119:17-18; Pro 1:1-4; Mat 7:28-29; Act 1:1-2; Col 3:12-17; 2Ti 4:1-5; 2Pe 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; Psa
133:1-3; Pro 17:17; Pro 27:10; Joh 13:34-35; Joh 15:13-17; Joh 17:20-23; Rom 13:8-10;
1Jo 1:7; 1Jo 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 honouring God-given
leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women.
Gen 1:27; Lev 19:13-16; Deu
16:18-20; Psa 139:13-16; Mar 8:34-37; Act 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; 1Co 7:1-16; 1Ti 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 for 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; 2Co 8:1-9:15; Php 4:10-20; Tit 3:14; 3Jo 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 honour one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not
as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.
Gen 18:1-8; 2Sa 9:1-11; Psa
68:5-6; Pro 22:9; Isa 58:7; Mat 25:31-46; Act 28:7-8; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:1-3; 1Pe 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; Luk 4:16-22; Joh 1:1-5; Col 4:6; Jam 3:1-18