YWAM Foundational Values

Summary

YWAM Sendai is part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a global Christian movement shaped not only by shared beliefs and mission, but also by shared values. The YWAM Foundational Values help explain the culture, priorities, and way of life that characterize YWAM communities around the world.

These values are important for understanding how YWAM Sendai approaches discipleship, leadership, mission, hospitality, teamwork, and life in community.

Why do the Foundational Values matter?

The Foundational Values help explain:

how YWAM communities make decisions
how leadership is understood
how mission is approached
how training is designed
how community life is practiced
how people are encouraged to grow and serve

They are not the same as doctrinal beliefs. Instead, they describe the shared culture and operating convictions of YWAM as a movement.

Quick List of the Foundational Values

Know God
Make God known
Hear God’s voice
Practice worship and intercessory prayer
Be visionary
Champion young people
Be decentralized
Be international and interdenominational
Have a biblical Christian worldview
Function in teams
Exhibit servant leadership
Do first, then teach
Be relationship-oriented
Value the individual
Value families
Practice dependence on God
Practice hospitality
Communicate with integrity

Full Foundational Values

1. Know God

In brief: YWAM is committed to knowing God personally and reflecting His character in every part of life and ministry.

YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His ways as revealed in the Bible, the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.

Key Scriptures: 2Ki 19:19; Job 42:5; Psa 46:10; Psa 103:7-13; Jer 9:23-24; Hos 6:3; Joh 17:3; Eph 1:16-17; Php 3:7-11; 1Jo 2:4-6

2. Make God known

In brief: YWAM exists to make God known throughout the world through evangelism, training, and mercy ministries.

YWAM is called to make God known throughout the whole world, and into every arena of society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries. We believe that salvation of souls should result in transformation of societies thus obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.

Key Scriptures: 1Ch 16:24-27; Psa 68:11; Psa 71:15-16; Psa 145:4-7; Mat 28:18-20; Mar 16:15; Act 1:8; Act 13:1-4a; Rom 10:8-15; Rom 15:18-21

3. Hear God’s voice

In brief: YWAM depends on hearing God’s voice in prayer, discernment, and decision-making as individuals and together.

YWAM is committed to creating with God through listening to Him, praying His prayers and obeying His commands in matters great and small. We are dependent upon hearing His voice as individuals, together in team contexts and in larger gatherings, as an integral part of our process for decision making.

Key Scriptures: 1Sa 3:7-10; 2Ch 15:2-4; Psa 25:14; Isa 6:8; Amo 3:7; Luk 9:35; Joh 10:1-5; Joh 16:13-15; Heb 3:7-8,15; Rev 2:7,11,17,27; 3:6,13,22

4. Practice worship and intercessory prayer

In brief: YWAM treats worship and intercessory prayer as essential parts of daily life and spiritual mission.

YWAM is dedicated to worship God and engage in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of daily life. We also recognize the intent of Satan to destroy the work of God and we rely upon God’s empowering presence, the Holy Spirit, to overcome Satan’s strategies in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of nations.

Key Scriptures: 1Sa 7:5; 2Ch 7:4; Psa 84:1-8; Psa 95:6-7; Psa 100:1-5; Mar 11:24-25; Act 1:14; Eph 6:13-20; 1Th 5:16-19; 1Ti 2:1-4

5. Be visionary

In brief: YWAM seeks fresh vision from God and supports pioneering new ministries and methods.

YWAM is called to be visionary, continually receiving, nurturing and releasing fresh vision from God. We support the pioneering of new ministries and methods, always willing to be radical in order to be relevant to every generation, people group, and sphere of society. We believe that the apostolic call of YWAM requires the integration of spiritual eldership, freedom in the Spirit and relationship, centered on the Word of God.

Key Scriptures: Num 12:6; 1Sa 12:16; Pro 29:18; Eze 1:1; Hab 2:2-3; Mar 1:35-39; Luk 9:1-6; Act 16:9-10; Act 26:19; 2Pe 3:9-13

6. Champion young people

In brief: YWAM believes young people are called and gifted by God and should be trusted, trained, and released in ministry.

YWAM is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young people to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to value, trust, train, support and make space in order to release them. They are not only the Church of the future; they are the Church of today. We commit to follow where they lead, in the will of God.

Key Scriptures: 1Sa 17:32-50; Ecc 4:13-14; Ecc 12:1-7; Jer 1:5-10; Dan 1:17-20; Joe 2:28; Joh 6:9; Act 16:1-5; 1Ti 4:12-16; 1Jo 2:12-14

7. Be decentralized

In brief: YWAM is a global movement without a centralized structure, shaped by shared vision, values, and relationships.

YWAM is a Christ-centered, faith-based global volunteer movement, united by shared vision, core beliefs, foundational values and relationships. We do not have a centralized structure. Every YWAM ministry has the privilege and spiritual responsibility to develop and maintain healthy relationships with appropriate authorities and circles of elders.

Key Scriptures: Exo 18:13-26; Num 1:16-19; Num 11:16-17,24-30; Deu 29:10-13; Jos 23:1-24:28; Act 14:23; Act 15:1-31; 1Co 3:4-11; Tit 1:5-9; Heb 13:7,17

8. Be international and interdenominational

In brief: YWAM values international, interdenominational, and culturally diverse participation in mission.

YWAM is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic and denominational diversity, along with redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the Mission.

Key Scriptures: Gen 12:1-4; Gen 26:2-5; Psa 57:9-10; Jer 32:27; Dan 7:13-14; Act 20:4; 1Co 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16; Col 3:11; Rev 7:9

9. Have a biblical Christian worldview

In brief: YWAM believes the Bible speaks to all of life and shapes how Christians understand truth, obedience, and service.

YWAM is called to a biblical Christian worldview. We believe that the Bible—the textbook for all of life—makes a clear division between good and evil; right and wrong. The practical dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions. Everything done in obedience to God is spiritual. We seek to honor God with all that we do, equipping and mobilizing men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every arena of society.

Key Scriptures: Deu 8:1-3; Deu 32:45-47; 2Ki 22:8; Psa 19:7-11; Luk 8:21; Joh 8:31-32; Php 4:8-9; 2Ti 3:16-17; Heb 4:12-13; Jam 4:17

10. Function in teams

In brief: YWAM believes ministry and leadership should be carried out in teams with complementary gifts, accountability, and shared discernment.

YWAM is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries and generations working together in unity at all levels of our Mission provides wisdom and safety. Seeking God’s will and making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship, motivation, responsibility and ownership of the vision.

Key Scriptures: Deu 32:30-31; 2Ch 17:7-9; Pro 15:22; Ecc 4:9-12; Mar 6:7-13; Rom 12:3-10; 2Co 1:24; Eph 5:21; Php 2:1-2; 1Pe 4:8

11. Exhibit servant leadership

In brief: YWAM understands leadership as service, not hierarchy, following the example of Jesus.

YWAM is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his/her care and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead.

Key Scriptures: Deu 10:12-13; Psa 84:10; Isa 42:1-4; Mic 6:8; Mar 10:42-45; Joh 13:3-17; Rom 16:1-2; Gal 5:13-14; Php 2:3-11; 1Pe 4:10-11

12. Do first, then teach

In brief: YWAM values firsthand obedience and lived experience as the foundation for teaching others.

YWAM is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an individual’s gifts, abilities and expertise.

Key Scriptures: Deu 4:5-8; Ezr 7:10; Psa 51:12-13; Psa 119:17-18; Pro 1:1-4; Mat 7:28-29; Act 1:1-2; Col 3:12-17; 2Ti 4:1-5; 2Pe 1:5-10

13. Be relationship-oriented

In brief: YWAM seeks to build community through holiness, humility, transparency, mutual support, and open communication.

YWAM is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication, rather than a dependence on structures or rules.

Key Scriptures: Lev 19:18; Psa 133:1-3; Pro 17:17; Pro 27:10; Joh 13:34-35; Joh 15:13-17; Joh 17:20-23; Rom 13:8-10; 1Jo 1:7; 1Jo 4:7-12

14. Value the individual

In brief: YWAM believes every person is made in God’s image and should be honored in dignity, calling, and contribution.

YWAM is called to value each individual. We believe in equal opportunity and justice for all. Created in the image of God, people of all nationalities, ages and functions have distinctive contributions and callings. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women.

Key Scriptures: Gen 1:27; Lev 19:13-16; Deu 16:18-20; Psa 139:13-16; Mar 8:34-37; Act 10:34-35; Gal 3:28; Eph 6:5-9; Heb 2:11-12; Jam 2:1-9

15. Value families

In brief: YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in mission, including single-parent families.

YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother. We also embrace the inclusion of single-parent families. We encourage the development of strong and healthy family units, with each member sharing the call to missions and contributing their gifts in unique and complementary ways. We uphold and celebrate the biblical view that God’s intent for holy matrimony is between one man and one woman.

Key Scriptures: Gen 2:21-24; Gen 18:17-19; Deu 6:6-7; Pro 5:15-23; Pro 31:10-31; Mal 2:14-16; Mat 19:3-9; 1Co 7:1-16; 1Ti 3:2-5; Heb 13:4

16. Practice dependence on God

In brief: YWAM practices dependence on God for financial provision and seeks to live with generosity and faith.

YWAM is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For individuals and for any YWAM team or community, this comes primarily through His people. As God has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous, giving ourselves, our time and talents to God with no expectation of remuneration.

Key Scriptures: Gen 22:12-14; Exo 36:2-7; Num 18:25-29; Mal 3:8-12; Mat 6:25-33; Luk 19:8-9; 2Co 8:1-9:15; Php 4:10-20; Tit 3:14; 3Jo 5-8

17. Practice hospitality

In brief: YWAM sees hospitality as a ministry of generosity that reflects God’s character and honors people.

YWAM affirms the ministry of hospitality as an expression of God’s character and the value of people. We believe it is important to open our hearts, homes, YWAM locations and campuses to serve and honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.

Key Scriptures: Gen 18:1-8; 2Sa 9:1-11; Psa 68:5-6; Pro 22:9; Isa 58:7; Mat 25:31-46; Act 28:7-8; Rom 12:13; Heb 13:1-3; 1Pe 4:9

18. Communicate with integrity

In brief: YWAM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely, and relevant communication in relationships, community, and ministry.

YWAM affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore, YWAM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely and relevant communication. We believe good communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families and communities, and effective ministry.

Key Scriptures: Gen 1:3-5; Num 23:19; Pro 10:19; Pro 25:9-14; Zec 8:16-17; Mat 5:33-37; Luk 4:16-22; Joh 1:1-5; Col 4:6; Jam 3:1-18

How does YWAM Sendai express these values locally?

YWAM Sendai expresses the Foundational Values through:

prayerful dependence on God
discipleship and training
long-term commitment to place
service in the local context of Japan
community life and hospitality
partnership with others
willingness to pioneer where needed