2023 May

For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 BSB

Last week, YWAM had an international gathering conference call with all of the YWAM bases in North America, Central America, and South America. Over 800 individual connections were made to the video conference call. At least 3000 people participated. We had the opportunity to hear from ministry leaders Jim Steir, John Dawson, and YWAM co-founder Loren Cunningham. It was an amazing time to reconnect.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Loren has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In November they told him he had just a few weeks to live. Now, six months later, he is still here with us. It was such a special moment to hear from him. He shared his current vision for the future, to have oral mother tongue Bible translations in every mother tongue in the world, and encouraged us to pray about what role we might have in seeing that vision fulfilled.

He also shared with us stories from the past. He told the story of how God gave YWAM a property in Switzerland back in 1974. I want to share the testimony of Loren’s adventure with God about that experience, so you can see how it has shaped the values of YWAM internationally.

In 1974, the Lord spoke to Loren, and told him that He was going to give Loren a farm for YWAM. Loren believed that he needed to take an action of faith towards what the Lord had told him. The next day there was an auction at a nearby farm. Loren went, and he bought an old Hay wagon. He brought the Hay wagon back and parked it next to the current location of the ministry. Of course people were curious. Everyone asked him, “What’s up with the old Hay wagon?”

Loren told them how God had shared with him that God was going to give him a farm for YWAM. Soon others in the ministry were saying, “Well, if God’s going to give you a farm for YWAM, then He’s going to give us all a farm.“ Loren told them that they had to pray, and ask God to confirm to them that God was going to give them the farm as well. Loren believed that each person needed to have confirmation directly from the Lord, not just follow what the Lord had told him.

Soon, everyone had prayed and got confirmation from the Lord, and each embraced the promise as their own. One girl, who was from Switzerland, told her father that the Lord was going to give YWAM a farm. And, that, in faith, they had bought a Hay wagon. She had fully accepted the promise, and the vision, as her own.

A few weeks later, her father was speaking with a farmer that was there in Switzerland. The farmer mentioned that the Lord had told him he was going to give a farm to a ministry. He asked if the man knew of any ministry that needed a farm. The man said, “Yes! The Lord told YWAM that they were going to be given a farm, and in faith they have already bought a Hay wagon.” That was all the confirmation that the farmer needed and soon he gave the farm to YWAM. Loren then found out, that years before, the farm also was an orphanage. So, there were places to live on the property. There was a cafeteria, and a kitchen. The farm became a place for the ministry to house staff as well as students.

God is faithful!

I want to encourage you, that whatever ministry organization you are working with, pray, and get confirmation from the Lord that the vision that they have is also your vision. Because, until you own the vision, you will not be fully committed to what God has for that ministry. Then take action, in faith, to move towards seeing the promise and the vision fulfilled.