Youth With A Mission (YWAM)

Will You Trust YWAM With Your Children?

By Chris Lawson

11/05/2010 article revised 10/10/2025.

In 1993, I participated in a Surfers For Missions outreach project with Youth With A Mission. The journey began in California and continued to a YWAM Discipleship Training base on Maui, Hawaii, for one month. It was followed by a three-week outreach in Bali, Indonesia, conducted in accordance with YWAM guidelines. Little did I know at the time that I was in for a real ride. 

Youth With A Mission, Surfers For Missions (Paia, Maui, HI)

Unaware of the problematic teachings with YWAM and its drastic nose-dive into unbelievable compromises and affiliation with known false teachers and false prophets, I embarked on my journey.  Within one week, I was very sad to have gotten involved with Youth With A Mission. The first evening meeting I attended while at the Maui YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School) base was rife with Danny Lehman and a room full of immature Christians speaking and singing in gibberish tongues. The scene was totally unbiblical, fraught with false teaching on tongues speaking, and very sad to observe. Being engaged with YWAM was a solemn wake-up call to what was and is really going on in this very theologically compromised Christian movement.

Although this was a difficult trip, I was committed to it. For the rest of our time on Maui and then for three weeks in Bali, Indonesia, I patiently sought to help the other missionaries on the trip, to test all things in accordance with the Word of God. I made some good friends, reached out to many people with the gospel, and scored some amazing waves by connecting with local surfers and families, too. Sadly, however, there were continuous problems with the YWAM leaders due to immaturity of leadership, off-base theological issues, and a total lack of discernment about the occult beliefs and dangers of Indonesian spirituality.

Of further note, there was absolutely no training at the DTS base in Paia, Maui, on how to minister to and share the gospel with people thoroughly steeped in the Indonesian Muslim and Balinese occult belief systems. Our team got utterly pummeled with spiritual warfare while in Bali. I felt horrible for my mission team associates who were utterly clueless regarding Christians apologetics, discernment in evangelism, and the severe demonic oppression and attacks we were facing. The blame for this sits on the shoulders of the YWAM leaders.

YWAM Scotland, The Seamill Centre (West Kilbride, Scotland)

The next time I had to deal directly with major unbiblical YWAM theology issues was when I was living abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, as a long-term missionary (2003-2007). This time, I had to confront the YWAM Director of Scotland at the main YWAM base in Western Scotland. I did this at the personal request of a concerned overseas YWAM missionary who was also serving with his own family as a U.S.A. missionary to Scotland. Together, my friend and I drove from the East coast of Scotland to the West coast, where we met with the YWAM Director. Things did not go well when we addressed the issues kindly and biblically.

The issues at hand were: 1) Could the Director of YWAM Scotland produce a clear statement of faith on the Biblical Gospel, as opposed to the Roman Catholic gospel, and 2) What are YWAM missionaries to say to people who need to be saved? After two months, the YWAM Director of Scotland could not even produce an introductory statement of faith for the YWAM Scotland ministry that clarified how a person is saved, according to the Bible.  In fact, this was just too much for him; this YWAM Director of Scotland resigned his position, and we never heard from him again.

At that time, in 2005-2006, YWAM Scotland was introducing contemplative spirituality practices to its leaders.  A year earlier, new young missionaries at the Seamill Scotland YWAM Base were being led into occult-based guided imagery exercises to get into touch with "Jesus".

Although these are only two unrelated incidents about the theological and practical problems with Youth With A Mission, many similar stories are on the internet.

In a nutshell, we cannot, with a good conscience, refer anyone to YWAM or its related ministries.  Our reason lies simply in the sad fact that deeply problematic theological compromises have been made by YWAM over and over and over. Things are simply out of control with YWAM as a movement. The affiliation with and endorsement of false teachers and false prophets is just the beginning of the extensive issues that YWAM leadership has involved itself with.

Heeding the Warnings Before Committing to YWAM Ministry

We highly recommend that you spend some time researching and reading informative articles about the problems with YWAM before you send your children, relatives, or potential missionaries overseas.

It is very sad to have to put this in print, but YWAM's own leaders leave biblically based and uncompromising pastors, church leaders, and ministries with no other choice but to expose their unfaithfulness to God's Word.

There is much more that could be stated here; however, dozens of articles by different biblical ministries exposing YWAM's problems should suffice. This article was originally published in Scotland in November 2010. It has now been 15 years since publication, and the leaders of YWAM have persistently continued to embrace ecumenical affiliations, false teachers, false prophets, and counterfeit revivals.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

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"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18)

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"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

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May God give you wisdom and discernment as you test the doctrines and practices of all who have open arms to receive your children, both in the world, in Christian churches, and in Christian mission work.

Chris Lawson, Spiritual Research Network

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Suggested Reading

1) An Open Letter to Calvary Chapel Pastors of America Concerning YWAM by Steve Mitchell of Power To Stand Ministries, Feb/2002

2) YWAM: The Facts About Their Headlong Dive Into Apostasy by Sandy Simpson of Apologetics Coordination Team, 12/07/02

3) A "NewEvangelism" for the 21st Century by Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries

4) YWAM and Benny Hinn Agree To Work Together by Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries

5) More Than 50 Articles About the Problems with YWAM by the Lighthouse Trails Research website

6) More than 60 Articles Addressing YWAM Issues by Deception In The Church

7) Blog Discernment Archive for Articles on YWAM by Lighthouse Trails Blog

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You can also read these articles listed below, along with SIXTY more articles at the YWAM Exposed Article Archive. Articles on YWAM can be found on the Apologetics Coordination Team website, otherwise known as Deception In The Church.

NOTE: Please understand that we are not faulting the many young people involved in YWAM for the unbiblical policies and teachings of the YWAM leadership. We are hopeful that youth engaged in YWAM will find other avenues of ministry and that churches associated with and supporting YWAM will reexamine their relationship with this New Apostolic Reformation, ecumenical organization.

These articles can be found on the Internet Archive website and also on the YWAM articles page at Deception In The Church (See link 6, above).

 (1) Youth With A Mission Experiments With New, Unscriptural Missions Strategy by Watchman's Trumpet - 2000, Foundation Magazine, Dennis W. Costella, May - Jun 2000

Several international mission organizations, including Youth With a Mission (YWAM), are testing a new approach to missionary work in areas where Christianity is unwelcome.  A March 24, 2000, Charisma News Service report said some missionaries are now making converts but are allowing them to "hold on to many of their traditional religious beliefs and practices" so as to refrain from offending others within their culture."

(2) Radical Missionary Approach Produces 'Messianic Muslims' Retaining Islamic Identity by Andy Butcher, Charisma NewsService, March 24, 2000

“YWAM has not only been involved in many unscriptural activities. "Spiritual mapping", promotion of Third Wave materials like Rick Joyner's book THE FINAL QUEST (since taken off their Canada site as of 8/02) George Otis' exaggeration and fabrications in his TRANSFORMATIONS video (also taken off their Canada site as of 8/02) as well as his book STRONGHOLDS OF THE 10/40WINDOW (which YWAM publishes), as well as  PRAYING THROUGH THE 100 GATEWAY CITIES OF THE 10/40 WINDOW by C. Peter Wagner on the subject of "spiritual warfare" prayer (also published by YWAM). But some in YWAM have also adopted a new mission strategy that should cause churches everywhere to seriously consider disassociating themselves with this once-evangelical group. This new strategy goes directly against the Great Commission, which states not that we are to make "converts" but to make "disciples" of all nations (peoples). "Messianic Muslims" who continue to read the Koran, visit the mosque, and say their daily prayers but accept Christ as their Savior are the products of the strategy, which is being tried in several countries, according to Youth With a Mission (YWAM), one of the organizations involved. You can find the original article written by the YWAM Muslim missionary here.”

(3) The "Spiritual Mapping" Of Youth With A Mission by GLR,4/00

“A page with various articles examining some of the false doctrines that YWAM has incorporated into their program over the years, including Charles Finney's pragmatic pragmatic views of revival, Moral Government Theology, Abelard's Atonement, the spiritual mapping & warfare techniques of George Otis & C. PeterWagner, and other problems which have led to the YWAM being blown about by every wind of doctrine.  "There are certain cornerstones which have made the 'casting about by every wind of doctrine' and 'spiritual abuse' possible in YWAM. It is important to understand some of the things on this web page if you really want to understand present, confusing trends and movements in YWAM and other organizations."

(4) Messianic Muslims? by Orell Steinkamp, The Plumbline, Vol. 6, No. 2, March/April 2001

"Last year, it was reported that several international mission organizations, including Youth With A Mission (YWAM), are testing a new approach to missionary work in areas where Christianity is unwelcome."

(5) Is That Really You, God? Hearing the Voice of God - A Review by LorenCunningham with his sister, Janice Rogers, Chosen Books, 1984 - Evaluation, quotes, and comments by Rev. Greg Robertson, Jakarta, Indonesia.

"AlthoughRobertson had decided that his YWAM experience was something from the past, which must be left at the foot of the cross, he soon found that the same false doctrines and spiritual misgivings which had so negatively affected his life through his YWAM Daze, had progressed to new levels, moved further away from Scripture and had become a poisonous leaven for other groups and movements."

(6) Loren Cunningham, YWAM, and False Prophecy by B.B. in a letter dated June 4, 2001

"...Because the "prophecies" that had been given in England, the U.S.A., etc.. were sYWAM o definite that the "Maori" was God's ship for YWAM, when the ship was finally sent to the wrecking yard in Asia for scrap, not only were the Christians involved severely hurt, but the non-believers in N.Z. laughed at those who had been deceived to scorn.  The credibility of the Christian church in general was hurt severely among the unbelievers as well as many in the church."

(7) Joy Dawson of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Joins Forces With Benny Hinn by Sandy Simpson, 1/28/02

"In Benny Hinn's Honolulu, HI crusade at the Blaisdel Arena on 1/11/02, Joy Dawson of Youth With A Mission appeared on stage with Benny.  Prior to and subsequent to this appearance, she was also featured on his TV programs.  Onstage, Joy Dawson was highly complimentary of Benny Hinn and his ministries. They made plans to reach out to the youth of HI together officially that night."

(8) Open Letter To The Leadership Of YWAM by Sandy Simpson, 2/8/02

“This is an open letter that was sent out to all the leadership of YWAM, asking them why they are now endorsing and working with false prophet Benny Hinn.  We are waiting for a response from ANY of YWAM's leadership.”

(9) YWAM And Benny Hinn Agree To Work Together by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 3/17/02

"New developments in evangelism and discipleship."