Youth With A Mission

Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
Founded1960; 64 years ago (1960)
FounderLoren and Darlene Cunningham
TypeChristian interdenominational missionary association
Websiteywam.org

Youth With A Mission (typically shortened YWAM, generally pronounced /ˈwaɪwæm/) is an interdenominational Christian mission organization with a focus on missionary work and training for Christian missions.

Founded by American missionary Loren Cunningham and his wife Darlene Cunningham in 1960, YWAM's stated purpose is to "know God and to make Him known".[1][2]

The organization pioneered self-funded short-term missions conducted by young people. Today, while maintaining its original youth-oriented ethos, the group has expanded its membership for those of older ages as well. While the efficacy and safety of YWAM's short-term missions has been called into question,[3][4] the organization trains upwards of 25,000 short-term missions volunteers annually, accepting participants from across all Christian denominations, including Catholicism via its Kerygma Ministry.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ "Founders – Loren and Darlene Cunningham". YWAM.
  2. ^ Ari L. Goldman (February 13, 1993). "A Valentine bargain". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  3. ^ Carlson, Darren (2019-09-12). "I'd Probably Still Cancel Your Short-Term Mission Trip". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  4. ^ "YWAM: A Dynamic "Movement" of Hundreds of Ministries, but Not an Organization – MinistryWatch". Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  5. ^ "Kerygma". kerygma.network. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  6. ^ Youth with a Mission in Derry visit – Derry Today
  7. ^ Rhoda Tse (August 1, 2005). "New Yorkers Pray for London Bombings". Christian Post. Retrieved 2018-05-09.