What does it mean to be inter-denominational?
One of our 18 foundational values says “__________inter denominational _________”
Most of us in YWAM have come from a Christian church somewhere. Although YWAM was founded by Loren Cunningham who came out of the Assemblies of God tradition, YWAM wasn’t the mission arm of the AOG.
Loren’s dream that inspired the foundation of YWAM was a vision waves crashing onto the shores around the world, and the waves were made up of thousands of young people. This vision is rooted in diversity, expressed as young people from everywhere, from all denominations, engaging in the work of extending God’s kingdom.
What this looks like on the ground, today, is that in pretty much every YWAM community around the world you’ll find people from a number of different nations who are from a variety of different denominations.
Our value statement orientates us in our openness to work alongside people and churches that we aren’t from or don’t know much about. When we don’t focus on our differences, we are able to focus on our shared understanding and common ground which, when working with the homeless, youth, Alpha, to name but a few, helps us stay focused on the greater task - seeing God’s kingdom extended and people who didn’t know Him finding meaning, purpose and sometimes faith.
Wherever we go as YWAMers, whether small teams taking our DTS participants into field based practical placements, or individuals engaging with a sphere of society or local need, we love to do it in conjunction with local ministries that are hands-on, on the ground. When we engage in evangelism, actively talking to people about faith and introducing them to Jesus, we will take a list of local churches where those interested in further conversations can go.
We love to partner with others, where we can link with something that’s already going on, so much the better.
And the end result is that our YWAM communities are a mix of people from Baptist, Anglican, Pentecostal, traditional
Mainstream and charismatic churches. All of us bring our understanding of who God is, how to pray, worship and ‘be’ a Christian into the mix. Together, somehow, wecommunicate what God is like. Paul talked about us (the church, believers) as a body where every part is needed and has its own significance and importance.