YWAM Values

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.

2 Kings 19:19; Job 42:5; Psalms 46:10; Psalms 103:7-13; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Hosa 6:3; John 17:3; Ephesians 1:16-17; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 John 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.

1 Chronicles 16:24-27; Psalms 68:11; Psalms 71:15-16; Psalms 145:4-7; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:1-4a; Romans 10:8-15; Romans 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 corporate gatherings as an integral part of our process for decision making.

1 Samuel 3:7-10; 2 Chronicles 15:2-4; Psalms 25:14; Isaiah 6:8; Amos 3:7; Luke 9:35; John 10:1-5; John 16:13-15; Hebrews 3:7-8,15; Revelation 2:7,11,17,27; & 3:6,13,22

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.

1 Samuel 7:5; 2 Chronicles 7:4; Psalms 84:1-8; Psalms 95:6-7; Psalms 100:1-5; Mark 11:24-25; Acts 1:14; Ephesians 6:13-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; 1 Timothy 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, centered on the Word of God.

Numbers 12:6; 1 Samuel 12:16; Proverbs 29:18; Ezekiel 1:1; Habakkuk 2:2-3; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 9:1-6; Acts 16:9-10; Acts 26:19; 2 Peter 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 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.

1 Samuel 17:32-50; Ecclesiastes 4:13-14; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Jeremiah 1:5-10; Daniel 1:17-20; Joel 2:28; John 6:9; Acts 16:1-5; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 1 John 2:12-14

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 foundational covenants, purpose, vision, values and relationships. 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 recognized spiritual elders.

Exodus 18:13-26; Numbers 1:16-19; Numbers 11:16-17,24-30; Deuteronomy 29:10-13; Joshua 23:1-24:28; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:1-31; 1 Corinthians 3:4-11; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 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.

Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 26:2-5; Psalms 57:9-10; Jeremiah 32:27; Daniel 7:13-14; Acts 20:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 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 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.

Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:45-47; 2 Kings 22:8; Psalms 19:7-11; Luke 8:21; John 8:31-32; Philippians 4:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; James 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.

Deuteronomy 32:30-31; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9; Proverbs 15:22; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 6:7-13; Romans 12:3-10; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:1-2; 1 Peter 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 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.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Psalms 84:10; Isaiah 42:1-4; Micah 6:8; Mark 10:42-45; John 13:3-17; Romans 16:1-2; Galations 5:13-14; Philippians 2:3-11; 1 Peter 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.

Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Ezra 7:10; Psalms 51:12-13; Psalms 119:17-18; Proverbs 1:1-4; Matthew 7:28-29; Acts 1:1-2; Colossians 3:12 17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Peter 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.

Leviticus 19:18; Psalms 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:10; John 13:34-35; John 15:13-17; John 17:20-23; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 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.

Genesis 1:27; Leviticus 19:13-16; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Psalms 139:13-16; Mark 8:34 37; Acts 10:34-35; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Hebrews 2:11-12; James 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.

Genesis 2:21-24; Genesis 18:17 19; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 5:15-23; Proverbs 31:10-31; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; 1 Timothy 3:2-5; Hebrews 13:4

16. Practice dependence on God

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 has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time and talents to God through the mission with no expectation of remuneration.

Genesis 22:12-14; Exodus 36:2-7; Numbers 18:25-29; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:25-33; Luke 19:8-9; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15; Philippians 4:10-20; Titus 3:14; 3John 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, campuses and ministry centers to serve and honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.

Genesis 18:1-8; 2 Samuel 9:1-11; Psalms 68:5-6; Proverbs 22:9; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:31 46; Acts 28:7-8; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1-3; 1 Peter 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.

Genesis 1:3-5; Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 25:9-14; Zechariah 8:16-17; Matthew 5:33-37; Luke 4:16-22; John 1:1 5; Colossians 4:6; James 3:1-18