Destiny

Aug 09 2026
0

Hope for Hollywood

Posted by | Arts, Destiny, Discipleship, Media & Entertainment, Missions, Prayer, Worship & the Arts | No Comments

Hollywood…

Known to all worldwide as a place that creates movies. The place that shares the stories of our day, and creates the narrative of our generation. But, how much of what is created shares our biblical world view? Unfortunately, not much.

In my book, “Hope for Hollywood: Reclaiming the Soul of Film and TV,” I share the lies that are often found in the content that is created for film and TV, and prayer strategies, and content creation strategies, to tell the truth instead of the lies.

In YWAM, we understand that Christians are called to disciple the nations no matter what our profession. We are all familiar with the strategy that the Lord showed our YWAM Co-Founder, Loren Cunningham, regarding the Seven Spheres of Influence strategy over 50 years ago. In 1975, Loren began to develop strategies with a mandate to bring Godly change to a nation by reaching its seven spheres of societal influence. He concluded that in order to truly transform any nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these seven facets of society must be reached. Part of that strategy, for YWAM, was to organize The University of the Nations into College Departments that would each focus on one of the Seven Spheres.

We believe that each of us has a calling on our lives from God to have our occupations on at least one of the Seven Spheres. For some, it will be an occupation on the church/religious Sphere. For many of us, we will be living our Christian lives while performing our occupation on one of the other Spheres – including the Spheres of Arts /entertainment, or Media/Communications.

We also believe that by strategically praying in these areas, we, as Christians, can bring about widespread societal transformation. Through our prayers, we can see God’s will manifest in these influential areas of society. We believe that our prayers can shape our culture and bring revival and the societal change that God desires.

We encourage you to pray each day for Hollywood, and the content creators that are Discipling the Nations!

Jun 05 2026
0

Free Gift – 7 Mountains Video

Posted by | Arts, Bible Study, Destiny, Devotions, Discipleship, Media & Entertainment, Missions, Training, Worship & the Arts | No Comments
I have been teaching about the 7 Mountains of Influence for 30 years. This is the revelation that the Lord showed YWAM Co-Founder Loren Cunningham many years before I ever heard of it. In 1975, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade and Loren Cunningham, developed a God-given, world-changing strategy. This is what Loren said about the revelation:
“It was August, 1975. My family and I were up in a little cabin in Colorado. And the Lord had given me that day a list of things I had never thought about before. He said “This is the way to reach America and nations for God.And {He said}, “You have to see them like classrooms or like places that were already there, and go into them with those who are already working in those areas.” And I call them “mind-molders” or “spheres”. I got the word “spheres” from II Corinthians 10 where Paul speaks in the New American Standard about the “spheres” he had been called into. And with these spheres there were seven of them.”
 
“A little later that day, the ranger came up, and he said, “There is a phone call for you back at the ranger’s station.” So I went back down, about 7 miles, and took the call. It was a mutual friend who said, “Bill Bright and Vonnette are in Colorado at the same time as you are. Would you and Darlene come over and meet with them? They would love to meet with you.” So we flew over to Boulder on a private plane of a friend of ours. And as we came in and greeted each other, {we were friends for quite a while}, and I was reaching for my yellow paper that I had written on the day before. And he said, “Loren, I want to show you what God has shown me!” And it was virtually the same list that God had given me the day before. Three weeks later, my wife Darlene had seen Dr. Francis Shaffer on TV and he had the same list! And so I realized that this was for the body of Christ.”
Loren and Bill began to develop strategies for their ministries with a mandate to bring Godly change to a nation by reaching its seven spheres, or mountains, of societal influence. They concluded that in order to truly transform any nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these seven facets of society must be reached. Part of that strategy, for YWAM, was to organize The University of the Nations by Colleges that would each focus on one of the 7 mountains.
Each of us has a calling on our lives from God to at least one of the 7 mountains. The Lord showed me the names of the 7 Mountains of Influence in our culture using a couple of different names than Loren originally saw. These are the ones the Lord gave me, in alphabetical order. A – G, and the original names that God gave Loren, in parenthesis, if they are different. I love that the Lord showed me these in alphabetical order, because it helps me to remember them!
A – Arts and Entertainment (Celebration – Arts, Entertainment, and Sports)
B – Business (Economics – Business, Science, and Technology)
C – Church (Religion)
D – Distribution of information (Media)
E – Education
F – Family
G – Government
Many of you are called to the mountain of Arts and Entertainment, or Media. But, if you are not sure where you are called, I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to show you which Mountain of Culture He has called you to.
In addition, our FREE GIFT this month, is access to Loren Cunningham’s 2012 teaching on the 7 Mountains titled “Seven Spheres of Influence.” on the YWAM Podcast Network.  There are both audio and video options on the link below.
Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Enjoy the videos & I hope you all have a great day!
Mar 06 2026
0

Focus

Posted by | Destiny, Devotions | No Comments
 Jesus declared, 
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 BSB

 

I am very committed to helping people discover their destiny and teaching them how to put together plans on how to fulfill what God has called them to do. That can cause me to get very focused on projects and tasks on a timeline.

 

Recently, I got a reminder of how much our focus can change in just a few days. When someone you love is very sick, things that you thought were important, suddenly do not matter – at all. Projects and tasks that seemed urgent, no longer are even on your calendar.

Life is all about love. It’s all about relationships. It’s all about God, and family, and friends. It’s not about all the other stuff that so often distracts us from our real calling – to love God and love others.

I pray that you will take time today to focus on the things that are the most important. Loving God and loving others.

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Jesus said the greatest commandments were first, to love God and second, to love others as ourselves. Remember to love God, yourself, and others this year!
Sep 05 2025
0

Lifeline

Posted by | Arts, Bible Study, Destiny, Devotions, Discipleship, Worship & the Arts | No Comments

Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20 BSB

Recently I was talking to a good friend about the monthly prayer meeting I attend with like minded prophetic warriors. I was sharing with her how the monthly gathering was a lifeline to me during this season. Having fellow Christians, who you can feel safe with, and who you can ‘flow’ with in the Spirit is a key to staying refreshed, and full of hope during these times. Being able to fully be “you” as you worship God is life giving. 

I want to challenge you, to find you a prayer and worship group that you can connect with, as you connect to God. Reach out to others, who you consider your “tribe” and see if there is a small gathering of like minded believers where you can join together with to pray and worship. If there isn’t one in your area, I want to challenge you to start the small group. It doesn’t have to be big to be powerful. The key is being in unity.

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Worship God together in Unity and see Him move on your behalf this month! Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 ESV

 

Mar 08 2025
0

Just like that

Posted by | Destiny, Devotions | No Comments
…do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
Isaiah 41:10

By now, many of you have heard of the tragic bus accident in Tanzania on Feb 24th that took the lives of eleven key YWAM leaders. Eight others were taken to the hospital.  “Just like that,” they were gone.

Two of those killed were the base director and the training director of YWAM Arusha. The incident, involving multiple vehicles, also claimed the lives of several others, including the bus driver. By last reports two key mission leaders still remain in critical condition.

Darlene Cunningham, co-founder of YWAM, shared some of the details:

Those in the accident were all participants in the “Executive Masters in Leadership” course, based at YWAM Arusha, Tanzania. They took a field trip in two buses to Maasai land, where they observed YWAM’s thriving community development program. They had a very good day together. On the return trip to Arusha, a truck that had lost its brakes, smashed into our 2nd bus, literally crushing it from top to bottom. Eleven of our beloved friends were killed, and eight others are severely wounded, and are battling for their lives. We have not seen a tragedy of this magnitude in all of YWAM’s history and we are all devastated.

“Just like that,” they were gone.

Not only have husbands and wives, friends and co-workers been lost, but also YWAM ministry leaders. Their deaths create a massive vacuum in that part of the world for YWAM as a missionary movement. Please pray – for those who are in the hospital still struggling for their lives; for the families and friends of the deceased; for those traumatized by this event – and for the future of YWAM in Africa!

Darlene encouraged us to take hold of the truths of God, as we mourn this profound loss:

  • Hang onto the fact that, no matter what, we know that God is just and kind in all His ways (Ps 145:17).
  • Remind yourself of Job 42:2. Job had lost everything and his response was “I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Let’s hang onto that word!
  • Remind yourself of Isaiah 41:10: “…do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
  • Remind yourself of the word over and over, especially the Psalms, where God promises us that He will protect us with His strong right arm and keep us from falling.

She added, “I like to think of Loren being there at the gates of heaven to greet and welcome these eleven beloved YWAM’ers! Our hearts rejoice knowing that they are rejoicing to be with Jesus, while at the same time, we weep for the loss of their presence among us.”

We are grieving our YWAM family that recently died in that tragic accident.

I want to encourage you today, to love those around you with all your heart. Forgive quickly. Let go of any issues that you have between you. Laugh with them today, and enjoy their company. Praise God for them. Pray for them. Love well. We never know when, “just like that,” they will be gone.

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Dec 06 2024
0

Sing a new song

Posted by | Arts, Destiny, Devotions, Discipleship, Worship & the Arts | No Comments
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 
Psalm 96:1 NIV
 
Sing a new song to the LORD! Sing His praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands. Isaiah 42:10 NLT
 
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Revelation 5:9
Many of you have mentioned that you are interested in music, worship, & songwriting. I’ve taught many songwriting classes and written hundreds of songs over the years. But lately the Lord has been challenging me to sing a new song to Him every day. Songs that I don’t write down, and record, but songs that are just for Him.
Even if your creative focus is not music, I want to challenge you to do the same. I challenge you to sing a new song to the Lord today. It doesn’t have to be one you write down, or record – but you certainly can if you want to. There are many scriptures that command us to sing a new song to the Lord. So, today, let’s be obedient. Let God put a new song in your mouth today!
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him. Psalm 40:3  NIV
If you are a musician, play a new song skillfully – If you’re not a musician, play a new song loud or shout for joy!
Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. Psalm 33:3 KJV
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:3 NKJV
 
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth–
let your cry ring out, and sing praises! Psalm 98:4
I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You— Psalm 144:9 Berean Study Bible 
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly! Psalm 149:1 ESV 
I want to challenge you to sing a new song to the Lord today – and every day this week. You can start by singing a new song to Him right now! And if you do write down and record the song, and you want to share it with us, email me here and I’ll share it with our other Superstars at YWAMHollywood.com
Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Aug 02 2024
0

Classes for you and Home Schooling too!

Posted by | Arts, Bible Study, Destiny, Devotions, Discipleship, Media & Entertainment, Missions, Training, Worship & the Arts | No Comments
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Did you know that High School students, who are at least 15 years old, can enroll in our University Credit Courses, or Self-improvement courses, as part of their homeschooling curriculum? We’ve trained students for over 40 years from over 100 countries, and now even High School Students can take our classes online.
You just need to check with your specific program to confirm the course is approved to be included as part of your homeschooling curriculum.
Our Courses offered online in 2024
Creative Warriors: Using the Arts in Spiritual Warfare
How to Write Your Nonfiction Book – University Credit Course
Music Theory for Worshipers – University Credit Course
Ancient Art: The Tapestry of the Ages – University Credit Course
Live Streaming Video Production School  – University Credit Course
Beginning Vocal Technique 101 – Self Improvement Course
Discover and Do Your Destiny – University Credit Course
Public Speaking: Platform 101 – University Credit Course
How to Pray Like Biblical Leaders – Self Improvement Course
Introduction to Spiritual Mapping and Prayer Strategy Development – University Credit Course
How to Hear the Voice of God in Prayer – University Credit Course
10 Basic Daily Disciplines of Your Christian Walk – University Credit Course
The Essentials of Prayer – Self Improvement Course
That means that you can enroll in our classes, and so can your teenager with you Home Schooling curriculum!
Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you! I look forward to seeing many of you in class!
Jun 07 2024
0

We Are YWAM

Posted by | Arts, Destiny, Devotions, Media & Entertainment, Missions, Training, Worship & the Arts | No Comments

YWAM International Ministry has been around now for over 60 years.

I was honored to be asked to produce the opening for our
International YWAM 50th Anniversary Celebration in Colorado in 2010.

I wrote a song that we performed live at the celebration.

This month’s free gift is your access to the video filmed of the song, “We Are YWAM.”
You can watch the Music Video, (also known as “This Is My Call”)
on our YWAM Hollywood Social Media Resource page.
Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
Apr 05 2024
0

Draw Near to God

Posted by | Arts, Destiny, Devotions, Worship & the Arts | No Comments
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…
James 4:8a BSB
When we draw near to God, He draws near to us! 
 
One way to draw near to God is to come to Him with our praises. I believe that our sacrifice of praise catches God’s attention as we draw near to Him. Creating an atmosphere of praise, and encouragement, and being positive releases God to draw near to us and to move on our behalf.

I want to challenge you today to Love God and Love others. Draw near to God. Spend time with Him. Take time to be with Him. And, then take time to love those around you and create an atmosphere that is positive around you. Praise God for all He is, and all He has done. Speak blessings over people. Encourage them. Praise their positive behavior. As we do, I believe it draws God to us, and allows Him to step in to the situation in the fullness of who HE is! For “God inhabits the praise of His people…” And, when we come to God, He will draw near to us.

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!
P.S. Be sure to encourage those around you today. The Bible says in Hebrews 3:13 NIV: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Have a great Month!
Mar 01 2024
0

A fun Creative Challenge

Posted by | Arts, Bible Study, Destiny, Devotions, Discipleship, Media & Entertainment, Missions, Training, Worship & the Arts | No Comments

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31) and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32) to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33) to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34) And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. Exodus 35:30-34 NIV

 

In January, Dutch Sheets challenged the body of Christ in the USA to a new assignment – to Protect America’s Waterways. The Ekklesia of America is responding to the call of God to pray and intercede to protect America’s waterways. You can read more about the dream that started this challenge on his website at https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-15-2024

Here at YWAM Hollywood, we want to train up an army of Creative Warriors that declare and decree what God is saying to this generation through our art and artistic expressions. It is one of the reasons I wrote my book, “Creative Warriors: Using the Arts in Spiritual Warfare.” It is the textbook for our new online class, “Using the Arts in Spiritual Warfare,” where we will teach our students how to become Creative Warriors.

The past few months, I have been sharing with you the importance of prophetic actions, and prophetic art, in our battle against the enemy. Our artistic creations, and our prophetic acts, have power in them as they declare, in the spirit, what God is saying, or doing. We need to realize that the declarations made through the arts, and our prophetic acts, have power to accomplish things in the spirit, and therefore look at the arts, and our personal creative giftings, in a new light. Using our artistic expressions is one way we legislate from the spirit realm into the earthly realm.

I want to challenge you this week, to be a Creative Warrior, by creating some art work, or doing a prophetic act, around this current assignment from Dutch Sheets about the waterways for your country. Pray, and ask God to show you what He wants you to do in this important assignment. God may have you paint a painting, or do a dance, or write a song, or do something else creative.

Personally, the Lord led me to write out a decree, with a pen that is made from Acacia wood from Israel. He also had me add watercolor paintings of rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, and dams to that written document. God led another friend of ours to paint a painting of waves and water with Hebrew words on the painting.

Pray, and see what the Lord would have you do, in this creative warrior challenge!

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you!