YWAM South Africa: A History of Faith, Community, and Global Impact

Nov 13, 2025 0

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation, to mobilizing as many as possible to help in this task, and to the training and equipping of believers for their part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

As citizens of God’s kingdom, we are called to love, worship, and obey our Lord, to love and serve His body, the Church, and to present the whole Gospel for the whole person throughout the whole world.

YWAM (pronounced “WHY-wham”) was first founded in 1960 by the late evangelist Loren Cunningham.It is a network of linked ministries who “seek to know God and make God known,” the ministry’s England branch said in a statement.

YWAM's Core Beliefs

We of Youth With A Mission believe:

That the Bible is God’s inspired and authoritative word, revealing that Jesus Christ is God’s son.
That people are created in God’s image; that He created us to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
That although all people have sinned and come short of God’s glory, God has made salvation possible through the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
That repentance, faith, love and obedience are fitting responses to God’s initiative of grace toward us.
That God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
That the Holy Spirit’s power is demonstrated in and through us for the accomplishment of Christ’s last commandment, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15 nlt).

YWAM's Foundational Values

The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission are the expression of our basic beliefs, coupled with specific directives given by God since YWAM's beginning in 1960.

Here are the 18 foundational values of YWAM:

Know God: 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.
Make God Known: 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.
Hear God's Voice: 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 corporate gatherings, as an integral part of our process for decisionmaking.
Practice Worship and Intercessory Prayer: YWAM is dedicated to worship Jesus and engage in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of daily life.
Be Visionary: 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.
Champion Young People: 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, make space and 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.
Be Decentralized: YWAM is a Christ-centered, faith-based global volunteer movement, united by shared vision, core beliefs, foundational values and relationships. Every YWAM ministry has the privilege and spiritual responsibility to develop and maintain healthy relationships with appropriate authorities and circles of elders.
Be International and Interdenominational: 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.
Have a Biblical Christian Worldview: 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.
Function in Teams: 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.
Exhibit Servant Leadership: 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.
Do First, Then Teach: 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.
Be Relationship-Oriented: 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.
Value the Individual: 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.
Value 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.
Practice Dependence on God: YWAM is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. For individuals and YWAM corporately this comes primarily through His people. As God has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time and talents to God through the Mission with no expectation of remuneration.
Practice Hospitality: 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, campuses and bases to serve and honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.
Communicate with Integrity: 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.

The Durban Story

The YWAM base in Durban came to life in 2001 following Wilson and Grace's transformative experience at a revival seminar in Argentina. By early 2003, they launched a Leadership Training School and soon settled in Durban. In 2011, leadership passed to Geoffrey Kingsford, whose administrative expertise greatly strengthened the base's structure and ensured regulatory compliance. By 2015, Benjamin and Kirsten Nobbs took the helm, ready to deepen our community ties. An unexpected call from a local businessman led them to a property that, despite its initial disrepair-from overgrown gardens to non-functional bathrooms-felt destined to be our community home. Together, we repaired and rejuvenated our new home, growing stronger as a team and in faith, especially as we navigated the challenges of the 2020 pandemic.

YWAM in South Africa

YWAM Potchefstroom was established in 2013 by Wikus and Christien Vorster, who were previously serving at the YWAM Worcester base where Christien completed their DTS. Wikus did his DTS in 2009 in Pretoria and he did the School for Apostolic Pioneering in Worcester 2012. Wikus and Christien have trained and served in missions work for many years, working among drug addicts, street children, students, refugees,gangsters and more. They currently focus on Prophetic School, TPM Counselling and Operation Refugee Africa. They are also speakers in YWAM and outside on the following topics: Hearing God's Voice, Father Heart of God, Prayer counselling, The Cross, Spiritual Warfare & The Holy Spirit.

YWAM Potchefstroom started with two training courses in 2013, Transformation Prayer Ministry in June and the DTS course, which focused on the local University in November. Till 2022 Ywam Potch did 'n total of 7 DTS's and many Prophetic schools and TPM trainings.

Training and Outreach

Evangelism is at the heart of everything we do because we believe everyone has the right to hear the gospel message and have a chance to accept Christ. Training is how we multiply. Our mercy ministries are what allow us to meet people where they’re at and serve them however they most need it. We have ministries that reach out to orphans, refugees, prostitutes, and the poor.

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Something that all "YWAMers" have in common is that we’ve all done a Discipleship Training School (DTS). In short, a DTS is a 5 to 6-month long program designed to train and equip students for missions. DTS is a life-changing experience with the potential to completely transform your life.

The purpose of YWAM training programs is stated to be to help develop students' relationship with God and others, to help them find God's purpose for their lives, and to empower them to live Christ-like lives whatever their vocation may be.

The various training schools of YWAM are organized under the structure of the unaccredited University of the Nations.

The University of Nations offers modular courses, which in the USA are accredited via bi-lateral arrangements with certain other higher education institutions, rather than by accrediting agencies.

Most schools in the University of Nations system have a three-month lecture phase which is then followed by a two- to three-month field assignment priced at around $9,000.

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It has been reported by former members that after the initial Discipleship Training School, they are recruited into further courses, programs, seminars or into long term staffing positions.

YWAM has a deep history of maritime missions. Many of our vessels provide dental and medical assistance to people who have little or no access to medical care. YWAM Ships is the mobile expression of our land-based campuses.

A Day in the Life of a DTS student at YWAM (Youth With A Mission)

YWAM's Global Impact

YWAM has 1,200+ locations in more than 180 countries-and we’re still growing! Different places have different needs, and different needs call for different responses. Each location has its own unique expression of ministry.

One of the most exciting things about participating in YWAM is getting to work with people from many different nations. Being multinational is something that distinguishes us. Currently, our movement has more than 18,000 full-time volunteers spread across the globe.

Youth With A Mission is most often described as a global missions movement-and that's 100% right. Anyone who is part of YWAM automatically becomes part of YWAM the movement.

Why? Even though we’re decentralized, YWAM still has an organizational structure. We have campuses and ministries and locations spread out across the globe, doing ministry in the name of YWAM. Our physical campuses-be it on land or on a ship!-form part of YWAM the organization.

But the majority of YWAM graduates actually go on to work in another area of society. We have YWAMers that work in business, government, education, and media. These YWAM grads are journalists, film directors, teachers, inventors, and musicians. They work in government and politics and medicine.

Both the organization and the movement are important; neither is more valuable than the other.

YWAM ship-equipped ministries, the maritime arm of YWAM's Mercy Ministries, uses ships to bring physical and spiritual healing to those in need.

Youth With A Mission was also involved in disaster relief and grief counseling after the 2004 tsunami.

Flooding in Pakistan in 2007 in the Sindh province prompted a response by twenty Muslim, Christian, and Hindu volunteers led by YWAM Pakistan. They were assisted by an appeal made through YWAM London's disaster relief|relief office.

Hurricane Katrina flooded all eleven of YWAM New Orleans' buildings.

In Uganda, YWAM is working with villagers to provide relief for HIV/AIDS. They have established orphanages and are ensuring children are educated.

YWAM San Diego is involved in building homes for families in Mexico through its Homes of Hope ministry.

According to Sean Lambert, president of YWAM San Diego/Baja, teams participating with his base have built 2,084 homes for needy families since 1991.

Despite its historical and value emphasis on young people, YWAM involves people of all ages. However, there is still a core emphasis on youth ministry.

While YWAM has many programs focusing on youth ministry, within the larger organization it has developed three transnational ministries for youth: Mission Adventures (MA), King's Kids International (KKI) and Youth Street.

YWAM has no official political affiliations.

Facing Challenges

Responding to the allegations, YWAM England said in a statement: “Although most young people have had a very positive experience in YWAM, we are aware and deeply regret that some have had harmful experiences of spiritual abuse and manipulation.

“We want to emphasize our concern for those who have been impacted by negative experiences in YWAM,” the statement concluded. “We are especially grateful to the former YWAM members who have spoken up, even when it has been painful to do so.

The Observer’s report said young missionaries (often called YWAMers) were left “traumatized” by the ministry after experiencing controlling behavior and religious shaming.

Former YWAMers alleged that during training schools and overseas missions, leaders pressured them to confess perceived sins in group settings and face public humiliation for their sins.

In some instances, the YWAMers said they were subjected to rituals resembling exorcisms to “cure” them.

The former missionaries alleged being shamed for any behavior deemed unacceptable, such as using Christian dating apps, which a leader allegedly described as “ungodly,” or wearing certain clothing.

In South Africa, one woman was allegedly chastised by leaders when they learned she was considering getting dreadlocks.

Leaders in Argentina told one former missionary that she could not leave the ministry without their blessing.

“We are deeply grieved to hear reports that spiritual practices intended for healing were instead used in coercive or shaming ways,” YWAM said.

YWAM's Commitment

As you join our YWAM Durban family, you're entering a vibrant, ongoing story of faith and community.

YWAM Publishing aims to educate the world about missions and inspire individuals to respond to the needs of the world.

United by faith, love, and relationships, we’ll continue to spread the gospel message across the planet in whichever way God leads us.

If you feel called to become a missionary, then YWAM might just be the right place for you. We’re believing God for the biggest wave of missionaries this world has ever seen.