When YWAM began in 1960, our main focus was giving young people opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the whole world, according to His command in Mark 16:15. Today, we still focus on youth, but we have members (known as “YWAMers”) of almost every age and many of our short-term efforts have grown into long-term endeavors that have impacted lives and nations.

YWAM has a decentralized structure that encourages new vision and the exploration of new ways to change lives through training, convey the message of the gospel, and care for those in need. We are currently operating in more than 1000 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000.

For more information, please visit YWAM International’s website at: www.YWAM.org

1. KNOW GOD: YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character, and His ways. 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. 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.

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 corporate gatherings. This is an integral part of our process for decision making.

4. PRACTICE WORSHIP AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER: YWAM is dedicated to worship Jesus 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 call upon God’s power and the Holy Spirit to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of nations.

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.

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 them, trust them, train them, support them, make space for them, 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.

7. BE BROAD-STRUCTURED AND DECENTRALIZED: YWAM is broad-structured and diverse, yet integrated. We are a global family of ministries held together by shared purpose, vision, values, and relationship. We believe that structures should serve the people and the purposes of God. Every ministry at every level has the privilege and responsibility of accountability to a circle of elders, with overall international accountability to the YWAM Global Leadership Team.

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.

9. HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW: YWAM is called to a Biblical worldview. We believe that the Bible 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

15. VALUE FAMILIES: YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother. 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.

16. 
PRACTICE 
DEPENDENCE 
ON 
GOD 
FOR 
FINANCES
: YWAM 
is 
called
 to 
practice 
a 
life 
of 
dependence 
upon 
God 
for 
financial
 provision.

For 
individuals 
and
 YWAM
 corporately 
this
 comes 
primarily
 through 
His 
people. 

As 
God
 and 
others 
have 
been 
generous 
towards 
us,
 so 
we 
desire 
to 
be 
generous. 

YWAMers 
give 
themselves, 
their 
time 
and talents 
to
 God 
through 
the 
mission 
with 
no 
expectations 
of
 remuneration.

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 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.

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, communities and effective ministry.