If someone had asked me six months ago where I saw myself headed, it is safe to say I would have been more likely to envision tours through Egyptian pyramids before ever picturing myself holding hands with strangers, praying for a man named Hosni Mubarak. Then again, six months ago, I did not respond to or have knowledge of the tool of Intercessory Prayer. During such times of political unrest in the nation of Egypt, I have been guided to an opportunity in which I can embrace my call as a Christian and fill in the gap by praying for those blinded by the devil’s evil schemes. While reading Is That Really You, God? by Loren Cunningham, I was touched by another time when people stepped in to pray for Kalafi Moala, an original staff member of Youth With a Mission, during a time of backsliding in his faith. Through different people and situations, the Lord spoke tenderly to Kalafi, calling him home and healing his ministry.
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) was merely a dream in the making just over fifty years ago. A vision came to Loren, a young man enthusiastic to join the mission field. He saw young people filled with the love of the one true God crashing like waves across the nations of the world, spreading the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The values that YWAM has incorporated into their ministry are both practical and practiced, giving light to areas newcomers may be skeptical towards. Practicing worship and intercessory prayer has been one of those foundational values I have enjoyed learning about since my arrival in Kona, Hawaii just one month ago. It has been a great step for me in learning to listen for and hear God’s voice. The Lord presented the original staff with many lessons in humility as they listened for His voice and, in turn, followed in obedience. I saw these opportunities clearly as Loren described the plans for the ‘Maori’, and it’s hopes for being the first vessel in YWAM’s mercy ministry. After the life shattering effects Hurricane Cleo had in 1964, a wonderful revelation was given to Loren: a salvation ship! A way to serve places with real needs practically, i.e. food, clothing, building supplies, and the love of Jesus; what our creative human minds can throw together, God will blow out of the water. Loren, with his wife Darlene and friends Jim and Joy Dawson, had the chance to heal the 'Maori', but knew by listening to God’s voice that He would be faithful in resurrecting the vision in an even more powerful way. At an unexpected but perfect time the ‘Anastasis’, (the Greek word for resurrection), was a dream come true. YWAM relied on being visionary in these times of trusting God, and where the youth of that generation saw ships sailing to the lost sheep of this world, my generation is now sending flying cars to do the same.
One of the most profound areas Youth With a Mission specializes in, ironically so, is proclaimed within it’s name. In championing young people for the gospel, I am strengthened in a place with people my own age, learning to value myself and others; gaining insight for the Lord’s will for my life. When I look back to the Olympic games of 1972, held in Munich, Germany, it is obvious there were hundreds of lives changed by the kids for Christ present during such catastrophe. It was the first few visionaries who took the leaps of faith and now testify to the effectiveness of the Cunningham’s schools of evangelism. Loren’s willingness to train young people for missions was quickly honored by God as he received blessing and revelation to begin schools where students were raised in a family of believers and then sent out to minister to the nations. By doing first, then teaching, leaders have immediate connection to the students who come to join the missionary and discipleship training schools. They have been faced with many situations that provide them with experiences that relate to questions, more so than any answers you could read in a how-to manual. Interestingly enough, the how-to manual we use is the 66 books of the Bible, and the staff are prepared to teach you “how to” use it as the weapon it was designed to be.
The University of the Nations base in Kona is precious in it’s calling. Complete with a school of Biblical studies (SBS) and discipleship training school (DTS), there are forms of mercy ministries by community outreach right here on campus. Jesus loves the little children, and the preschool here is blessed with riches of the little ones’ trust in an Uncreated God who loves without end. Na' Kupono is a ministry within the College of Counseling & Health Care facility and is a place of great healing for the broken.
Branching out, I would imagine, was always the direction Loren, Darlene, and so many others stood firm in as they accepted Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. I can also imagine the strife they endured for standing by the decision to make YWAM interdenominational and international. The era in which they began this foundation must have been filled with people judgmentally disqualifying them from the vision they were so clearly given from our Heavenly Father. It was a time where God placed within you a call to a country, not to the whole world. It is a world where young people are expected only to accomplish the completion of more education. In love, those burned bridges have been mended, and it is because of God Almighty’s faithfulness that I write now from a room where I am but one of seven roommates from four different countries. Seven girls from different worlds entirely, unique in the intricate design God so specifically engineered, continuing to learn to love one another as ourselves and love the Savior who showed obedience to His Father. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) was merely a dream in the making just over fifty years ago. A vision came to Loren, a young man enthusiastic to join the mission field. He saw young people filled with the love of the one true God crashing like waves across the nations of the world, spreading the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The values that YWAM has incorporated into their ministry are both practical and practiced, giving light to areas newcomers may be skeptical towards. Practicing worship and intercessory prayer has been one of those foundational values I have enjoyed learning about since my arrival in Kona, Hawaii just one month ago. It has been a great step for me in learning to listen for and hear God’s voice. The Lord presented the original staff with many lessons in humility as they listened for His voice and, in turn, followed in obedience. I saw these opportunities clearly as Loren described the plans for the ‘Maori’, and it’s hopes for being the first vessel in YWAM’s mercy ministry. After the life shattering effects Hurricane Cleo had in 1964, a wonderful revelation was given to Loren: a salvation ship! A way to serve places with real needs practically, i.e. food, clothing, building supplies, and the love of Jesus; what our creative human minds can throw together, God will blow out of the water. Loren, with his wife Darlene and friends Jim and Joy Dawson, had the chance to heal the 'Maori', but knew by listening to God’s voice that He would be faithful in resurrecting the vision in an even more powerful way. At an unexpected but perfect time the ‘Anastasis’, (the Greek word for resurrection), was a dream come true. YWAM relied on being visionary in these times of trusting God, and where the youth of that generation saw ships sailing to the lost sheep of this world, my generation is now sending flying cars to do the same.
One of the most profound areas Youth With a Mission specializes in, ironically so, is proclaimed within it’s name. In championing young people for the gospel, I am strengthened in a place with people my own age, learning to value myself and others; gaining insight for the Lord’s will for my life. When I look back to the Olympic games of 1972, held in Munich, Germany, it is obvious there were hundreds of lives changed by the kids for Christ present during such catastrophe. It was the first few visionaries who took the leaps of faith and now testify to the effectiveness of the Cunningham’s schools of evangelism. Loren’s willingness to train young people for missions was quickly honored by God as he received blessing and revelation to begin schools where students were raised in a family of believers and then sent out to minister to the nations. By doing first, then teaching, leaders have immediate connection to the students who come to join the missionary and discipleship training schools. They have been faced with many situations that provide them with experiences that relate to questions, more so than any answers you could read in a how-to manual. Interestingly enough, the how-to manual we use is the 66 books of the Bible, and the staff are prepared to teach you “how to” use it as the weapon it was designed to be.
The University of the Nations base in Kona is precious in it’s calling. Complete with a school of Biblical studies (SBS) and discipleship training school (DTS), there are forms of mercy ministries by community outreach right here on campus. Jesus loves the little children, and the preschool here is blessed with riches of the little ones’ trust in an Uncreated God who loves without end. Na' Kupono is a ministry within the College of Counseling & Health Care facility and is a place of great healing for the broken.
Branching out, I would imagine, was always the direction Loren, Darlene, and so many others stood firm in as they accepted Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. I can also imagine the strife they endured for standing by the decision to make YWAM interdenominational and international. The era in which they began this foundation must have been filled with people judgmentally disqualifying them from the vision they were so clearly given from our Heavenly Father. It was a time where God placed within you a call to a country, not to the whole world. It is a world where young people are expected only to accomplish the completion of more education. In love, those burned bridges have been mended, and it is because of God Almighty’s faithfulness that I write now from a room where I am but one of seven roommates from four different countries. Seven girls from different worlds entirely, unique in the intricate design God so specifically engineered, continuing to learn to love one another as ourselves and love the Savior who showed obedience to His Father. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
The student has become the teacher....at least to me. I am learning so much from your writing and more so I have been blessed by it. I am grateful for you Kelsey Maxine. All the steps we take in our lives lead us to our final destination.
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