Where did youth with a mission start? When was youth with a mission started?

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is a global Christian organization that was founded in 1960 by Loren and Darlene Cunningham. The organization was established with the vision of sending young people out into various nations to share the message of Jesus, and which would involve Christians of all Christian denominations.

Youth With A Mission, commonly known as YWAM, is an interdenominational Christian training organization with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1960. YWAM has evolved over the years to become a global movement dedicated to “knowing God and making Him known.”

The story of YWAM began with a vision that Loren Cunningham received in 1956 while he was a 20-year-old student in an Assemblies of God College. This vision propelled him to imagine a movement that would send young people from various Christian denominations to nations worldwide to share the message of Jesus.

YWAM emphasizes the importance of influencing different societal spheres, such as education, government, arts, media, business, family, and church, as a way to fulfill its mission.

The training schools within YWAM are structured under the University of the Nations. These schools offer modular courses that include a three-month lecture phase followed by a two- to three-month field assignment.

YWAM’s “Buzz Off” campaign focuses on empowering smaller NGOs in malaria-endemic regions to combat malaria at the local level, providing mosquito nets and resources to those in need.

YWAM is not an isolated organization; it actively collaborates with various missions, churches, and independent missionaries globally. It has formed partnerships with organizations such as Christian Aid, Campus Crusade for Christ, Trans World Radio, Wycliffe Bible Translators, World Vision, and others to advance its mission and participate in various outreach initiatives.