Urbana 09 -17,000 students for world missions

17,000+ students have come to St. Louis for Urbana 09.
Most will pass by me at the Ywam booth!

Almost all are asking God how they can be a part of world missions.
-Please pray I can help them achive all God is dreaming for their life.

Sweater Party 2009 at YWAM Orlando. How we have fun!

Some where inside me there must be a longing for the day when the birth of Jesus can be be celebrated with the utmost reverence and holiness, but until that day comes I will continue to expose the absurdity of Christmas as currently celebrated in America. If you dare view a first rate example of this tradition, click here and be prepared for some of the ugliest sweaters in our nation!

Benefit for African Orphans

At 3$ a brick, and 1k bricks, we changed an African child´s life Monday night! We raised $3,000!

Thank you to all of you who came out monday night! It was a really awesome concert. Thanks to Sleeping At Last, Jeremy Larson and Taylor Maxwell for playing an awesome show.

Rob Interview GCT 2009 Audio Only

Here in Harpenden England at the Global Communication Team meetings, I had a chance to interview the director of YWAM's International Communications Network (ICN) Rob Abraham. He, like myself, is very excited how communications can allow exponential growth in world wide mission. Thank you for letting me contribute to this amazing week of cooperation.

Facebook Interview with the International Chairman of YWAM, Lynn Green - Video

This week has been one of the most visionary of my life. One of concepts we were struggling with was how to link the questions of the average person involved in YWAM with the answers of senior leaders. I made a suggestion that we should do live interviews with some of these leaders on Facebook. Instead of just accepting my idea the team jumped into action and suggested we try one out the very next day. This afternoon we tried this new concept in social media. This may be the first or sadly only time some of our extended YWAM family gets direct access to our Int. Chariman. What an amazing opportunity for communication with in this massive mission called YWAM.

Here is a transcript of the Q and A session 10:30 AM EST 10/9/09
Lynn Green, the International Chairman of Youth With A Mission, was a part of a live interview on the YWAM International Facebook page. He took the time to answer quite a few questions that had been sent in previously and were asked during the interview.

Here is a sample of some of the questions, and Lynn's answers:

1. Lynn, here is the first questions, who are you?
   
   
   
   • A kid from Colorado who joined YWAM in 1969, got a wife, then four kids, then 6+ grandkids and became Chairman of YWAM along the way.
   
   
   
   


2. What would you say to the challenge busy YWAMers in this area – rest vs driven-ness?
   
   
   
   • That is something God has been saying to me. But, to some extend it is related to seasons of life. I am now in my 60s and God is saying I must "fight to enter into rest". I have been an activist for all these years and now the passage of scripture that means so much to me is Ruth lying at the feet of Boaz and then going back to Naomi and asking "what do I do now?" She said Rest! This man will not rest until he has done all he needs to. That is what Jesus will do for me if I spend time with him.
     
     But even in the midst of a very busy life, I have developed the habit of a good long time each morning spent in the scriptures and prayer and then prayer with my wife then with my kids around the breakfast table.
   
   
   
   


3. Do you think YWAM is focussing enough in the area of assisting ministries associated with New Technology, media, Gospel presentation?
   
   
   
   • Well, we never think we are doing enough. But Create International are fantastic in this area. I am sitting right now in a global communication team meeting and we have spent three days looking at our web presence, IT tools, where communication is likely to go in the future etc.....
   
   
   
   


4. When will YWAM return to its original call to evangelize?
   
   
   
   • You must be talking about YWAM somewhere in particular - there is an incredible amount of evangelism happening around the world! We have planted over 600 churches in 100 of the least-reached people groups. Reef to Outback in Australia is doing innovative outreach online and Impact World Tours have led tens of thousands to the Lord in the last few years!
   
   
   
   


5. What advice would you give to current DTS student to encourage them? Do you even remember your DTS, Lynn?
   
   
   
   • No I didn't do a DTS, so I can't remember it. But I have led a few. I didn't do a DTS because they didn't exist until around 1975. When I joined there was only a School of Evangelism.
     
     The most encouraging thing I can say is keep obeying Jesus. There is no greater adventure!
   
   
   
   


6. Lynn, perhaps a big struggle for me is understanding wisdom in Loren's philosophy of easy on, easy off. Balance of helping people step up to commitment vs just letting them go. Your thoughts?
   
   
   
   • Well, commitment has to be freely given. We really cannot put pressure on people to commit. It has to come from deep inner convictions. In addition, we want to bless the whole Body of Christ, so we are training people for other movements, denominations etc.
     
     Recently God has convicted me that I must also be happy when people seem to use the YWAM platform to develop their personal ministry. That is the attitude Paul conveyed when he said he rejoiced when people preached the gospel, no matter what the motive.
   
   
   
   


7. Where is the University of the Nations is at with accreditation...?
   
   
   
   • We are seeking to be a force for transformation in higher education. The current accreditation system is part of what keeps it static. so we are pursuing accreditation by two means: from one institution to another. Many colleges and Universities accept U of N credits. And we are developing a new global accrediting association.
   
   
   
   


8. How should YWAM prepare itself spiritually and practically for the growth towards 200.000 staff?
   
   
   
   • We must deepen our relationship with Jesus first!
     
     Then we have to transition from a more rigid organizational structure to a more thoroughly relational leadership network on a global basis. that is a big subject, so keep your eyes open for prayer days on the subject. I will do some leadership letters on that too.
   
   
   
   


9. People are asking questions about the restructuring of YWAM after the last GLT. What can you say about that...?
   
   
   
   • We are thinking less organizationally and more relationally. We are not in a rush, but know that God is giving us more insight about eldership and how it works within our body. The upcoming International YWAMer (www.internationalywamer.org) will have articles on that.
   
   
   
   


10. What's your favourite running shoes?
    
    
    
    • I highly recommend that you have your running style analyzed by some outfit that knows what they are doing. I was giving up on running due to knee pain, then had different shoes prescribed after a video of my gate and I have been fine ever since. Asics Nimbus for me!
    
    
    
    


11. What would you say to many many 'behind the scene' Ywam mothers who are depressed while the husbands are driven with works and meetings and are highly motivated to get the job done?
    
    
    
    • When my wife was feeling like that, she wrote me a letter that she left in my suitcase. Basically she said she was lonely. That tore my heart out. I went back home, went through my calendar with her and cut my schedule back. I now make all scheduling decisions in prayer with her. Have all husbands read this!!!
    
    
    
    


12. What are you most looking forward to in this last quarter of YWAM's first 50 years?
    
    
    
    • Deeper relationship with Jesus and much more evidence of the supernatural in YWAM. Deeper friendships too!

The emerald shores of Ireland

Goodmorning London Sun

After raceing the sun arround the oposite way of the earth we have
collided once again. This time only after a few hrs of sleep and
somewhere over the cold North Atlantic by Iceland.

Today I fly Orlando to London. Tomorrow ="Having Tea" in Harpenden England at a communicatios conf. -Video:

How can we as Christians effectively communicate Good News to all people? As missionaries how can we involve a generation that has evolved so rapidly we hardly recognize them?



For example today we see:
-450,000 words, in the English language = 5x the amount in Shakespeare's day.
-The total population of the USA is less than the amount of people using Facebook
-31 billion Google searches per month
-China will soon become the the number one english speaking county in the world.

I look forward to working with representatives from Australia, Asia, South America, and Europe to discover ways to use the speed of communications and technology to Gods glory. I have been invited by YWAM's international chairman to make a presentation to this group about how to inspire this radical generation into God's plans for their lives. I believe many millions will realize that they too can spend their life sharing the love of Christ in the next few years because of the discoveries and decisions God will lead us to this week. As always I could never do this alone and your prayers and support allows us to do this a team, Thank You! (To find out how you can help click here)

My new housemates at YWAM!

A young couple has moved in at my YWAM doorm. They have brought their two boys Seppe and Florian from Holland to do the DTS at YWAM Orlando. Pillow fights and soccer appear to be the best way to cross the language divide.

Introducing Matt and Kaitlin Sieber

I spent the past week helping prepare for my little sisters wedding. Now she is Kaitlin Sieber! They are an awsome couple that God already has amazing plans for.

How Can Stories Inspire and Unlock God's "Hidden" Treasures?

This fall I am coaching 25 new missionaries how to raise their financial support. I try to help them realize the amazing works God has done through them and how important it is inspire others with the testimony of these stories. I have seen these stories used by God to involve His entire Church in reaching those who don't know Him. Below is one of my favorite examples of such a story by one of the new missionaries I coach named Chad. Through a letter including this story and many face to face meetings, Chad has seen an overwhelming response and a team of people choose to fully support his first financial goal.

It was late one evening and the street artist had just finished his painting presentation of the Gospel. I quickly struck up a conversation with an older man who I had spotted watching intently as the picture was painted. At first, he seemed hesitant to speak to me, a total stranger. But as I allowed him to share his faith with me and his Lebanese origin, he started to warm up to the conversation.

The man made it clear that he was a Muslim. As a Muslim, he believed that Jesus did exist, but not that he died and rose again. I continued to listen and ask probing questions meant to make him think about what he believed.

During the conversation, God prompted me to ask the gentleman if he believed dreams were from God. He responded, “Sure, about ninety percent come from God.” I immediately followed that question by asking him if I could pray with him and ask Jesus to appear and reveal the truth to him in a dream.

I did this, knowing that many Muslims around the world come to salvation after a dream. This dream consists of Jesus appearing and revealing that He is indeed the Son of God who died and rose again for their sins. This would be an awesome opportunity!

The Lebanese man agreed to pray with me. So right there, in the middle of the busy Montreal sidewalk, I prayed with him and asked Jesus to appear to him in a dream!

Has God Hidden His Treasures?

Each year I am amazed by the batch of new youth who join YWAM Orlando staff and are willing to give up an American Dream of financial prosperity. They willingly replace this dream with a life of financial dependence on God's provision through the generosity of His people. My passion and job is to teach and coach them how to find this provision through my personal experiences. But, I must share the correct motivations, not only methods, as valuable as they may be. If you have ever wished to sit in on a class on this topic here is your chance. Below I have condensed some of the main ideas I present for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

God wants to use me to connect a portion His CHURCH to World Missions. My job is to find the team that is to be connected through me. Not everyone in His CHURCH is to be part of my team and I won't assume I know who they are. Many who know of me are most likely to be part of my team as God prefers to work through relationships.

By telling stories of what God has done, and is dreaming to do through me, I give Him the Glory due Him, and build credibility as a minister of the Gospel. Simply stating my need only gives information, and is not an actionable request. Unless I humble my self and request my need specifically many will not be willing to take the risk of offending me by giving "charity". By directly asking I overcome my pride of self sufficiency and allow God to provide through His people. By making a personal phone calls I reject the fear of man. Instead I personally connect with those who God has asked to join my team in completing the great commission. By accepting that more than half will not give financially I learn to trust God has already provided the ones He wants to be giving on my team. Those who reject my appeal are not rejecting me but simply the opportunity. I realize and trust they made this decision for reasons in complete obedience to the will of God in their life. God has hidden His treasure in His people and in doing so has motivated me to include many others in the vision He has given me for His Church.

Training new missionaries to receive God's provision

This week I have been teaching in the Full Support Workshop for a bunch new missionaries. They each have amazing callings and I look forward to seeing Gods dreams come true as they see provision to put dreams into action. If you want to join us for the next workshop click here.

Listen to an interview of one of the students below:

The altar was flooded!

Last Wednesday I was with the "Frontline" youth group of Trinity Chapel in Knoxville TN. Our team was invited to share our drama and dances as an example of how performing arts can be used to share the gospel around the world. I concluded the night with a challenge to for students to "dive into" into world missions. With the team behind me I invited the room full of 50+ teenagers to come forward and receive prayer if they wanted publicly make a decision to impact the needs people of around the globe with their faith. The alter was literally flooded! Even with a a team of 10 people willing to receive them, the crowd was waiting 2 and 3 deep for prayer. Thanks for your support as I have spent this summer challenging the next generation of missionaries.

How I will cook on the road- Video:

Recently I have spent lots of time on the road. Although I have not yet tried to cooking in my hotel room like the video I cant wait to try it, I'm sure the hotel wont mind..oops!

Passionate about missions in Buffalo New York

We are meeting waves of potential missionaries near Buffalo New York. Jackie, the girl in the photo, told me how she was passionate about missions and simply looking for a chance to make a difference in this world. Some of her friends had done YWAM and now meeting me at the Kingdom Bound festival felt like confirmation that she should join us for a mission trip this fall. I love when God uses me to confirm His calling on the lives of others! We will be driving through the night tonight (Wed-Thurs morning) so we can get to Unity festival in Muskegon, MI tomorrow. If you are in the area come see us perform on the A-Stage. For tickets and more info see www.unitymusicfestival.com Thanks for your prayers!

New Hampshire missionary mobilization

I have been meeting the next generation of missionaries from New England. Many of them told me they have been looking for a way to have a global impact with their faith. Hundreds attended a demonstration of our performing arts team at SoulFest christian music festival. Thanks for your prayers for multiplication and safe travels as we travel to our next stop, Kingdom Bound Festival near Buffalo NY.

Local wildlife....Like the photo?

So when I moved to Orlando I guess I traded snow for snakes. Fair trade?

Four Festivals done and Three to go! With Photos:

For the past month I have met thousand of people face to face and gladly answered their questions like:
"Does YWAM do Mission trips to Africa? 'Cause God has called me to go there when I graduate high school."
"My child is really into missions, could she do a summer mission trip with YWAM?"
"Our youth group has been looking for something just like what you do at YWAM. What should we do to sign up?"

We handed out 4000+ pieces of YWAM Info.
We drove over 4,000 miles
We camped in 4 different states
(Only letting our tent blow away once!)
We only broke the van once!
(Had to replace the fuel pump)
All in 28 days!


Now I'm back in Orlando for a half-time breather (20 Days) before the second half starts. Three more festivals and thousands of young people who will realize they can be part of the solution to the spiritual and physical problems of their generation. Instead of traveling with only one other staff member, I am excited to have a larger team on this second half. I will be joined by a performing arts team of 12 students and staff to attract attention to world missions and prove the many creative ways Christ's love can be shared globally.

Come see our team at:
July 29- Aug 1 Soulfest Gilford, NH
Aug 2-5 Kingdom Bound Buffalo, NY
Aug 6-8 Unity Festival Muskegon, MI

What is Discipleship Training School? A student's review:

Each year my goal is to see hundreds of new missionaries jump into their first taste of missions. The Discipleship Training School is our 101 course and intro into a life of making a difference. I feel such gratification seeing, through their eyes, all that God has done! Here is what one student wrote about her recent experience.

A small Indian boy with a contagious smile climbed into my lap and began fiddling with my hands and touching my face. I could literally feel my heart melting as he stared into my eyes, smiling the whole time.

At about the age of 2, this boy, yet unnamed, was found strapped to a tree. His parents, victims of leprosy and rejected by society, wandered the streets begging for food or money. Rescued by Youth With a Mission (YWAM), this nameless boy was taken to a YWAM home where children of leprosy victims are housed. There, he was given clothes, food, love, the message of Christ, and a name—Joe. Now at the age of 4, Joe has special needs due to his lack of development at such a young age.
Over the last two months in India, I had the privilege of working with victims of leprosy and their families. Leprosy is totally curable, but it leaves victims with gaping wounds, deformities like missing fingers and toes, and a spirit of rejection in their hearts. There, I helped to package and distribute medical supplies to entire colonies of leprosy victims and pray with each of them.
I was also able to reach out to the children by teaching English and helping with their school work. By playing with them and simply touching them, God used me to show Joe and others like him that they are valuable to Him, that He loves them with his whole heart, and that He accepts them despite the lies of worthlessness, rejection, and hopelessness that have been spoken over them. These people have all left their permanent mark on my heart and in my life.
Being in Discipleship Training School (DTS) is more than just learning statistics about the suffering people of the world. It’s about gaining a heart for those people, children of God, who have faces and dreams and passions. If you are ready to get in the game and take action knowing that you have the power to change lives, the DTS is the place for you.
YWAM Orlando Discipleship Training School Graduate:
-Kelsey Bradley