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This month we hear how YWAM is serving in Lebanon during the current conflict with Israel, check out YWAM in Santa Cruz, see how YWAM Ships is delivering water tanks to Tuvalu, Pacific Island Leaders gather in Honolulu for three days, YWAM Philadelphia continues with their prayer station ministry, YWAM Paris and YWAM Berlin engage in street outreach, YWAM Ashville continues to provide free meals after Hurricane Helene, YWAM Haiti runs training programs at a few of their locations, we find out about a YWAM community in Maytown, Washington, we take a tour of YWAM Adelaide, and more …
Thank you for downloading this, the 159th episode of the Youth With A Mission News Show Podcast, I’m your host, Bill Hutchison.
You can contact us, subscribe to future episodes, leave comments, and find links to all the stories we talk about on the show notes for this podcast at ywampodcast.com/159 …
Stories:
YWAM in Lebanon
When Ben and Shannon Soh first heard the call for their family to serve in Lebanon there was no way that they could anticipate the rocket attacks, bomb blasts, economic crises, and political turmoil that they were entering into.
The Sohs arrived in Beirut in 2021, a year after the YWAM Centre in Beirut was established, and only shortly after a massive explosion had hit Beirut, killing 135 and injuring thousands. In fact, when they arrived, the debris at the YWAM location was still uncleared.
The team in Beirut runs a Discipleship Training School, and a School of Missions in English and Arabic. They will also be pioneering a Bible School and Community Counselling Training School within the next year to equip local and international believers. In addition to the schools, they also participate in a Skate Ministry, and a Soccer Ministry.
In October of last year war broke out in Lebanon after nearly 12 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While the Sohs’ used to look out to the mountains, they now saw a land it by air strikes. Fighter jets hurtled past their apartment building breaking the sound barrier. They had to leave a gap in their windows, of the sonic boom would shatter the glass.
One of the huge bombs dropped to take out a Hezbollah leader was just 10 minutes from where the Sohs lived.
Because of the international makeup of the YWAM Team, finding flights out of Lebanon proved difficult to find after the decision to evacuate was finally made. Since finding a flight was proving to be so difficult, the team left for an ulu (remote) mountain shelter and hour and half drive from the city.
For the next two weeks the group stayed in the mountain shelter by night, but then by day they drove back to the city to help the displaced by working at a food kitchen and distributing aid.
When one entire neighourhood was bombed because one man may have been tied to Hezbollah, the YWAM team took the difficult and possibly dangerous decision to allow others to take shelter at their location. Despite the possible risk, the team took people in and served them food and welcomed them.
One of the people given shelter was an Imam, who was “visibly shaken” after having his whole world fall apart around them. This proved to be an amazing witness as when He asked why would “you Christians” do this for us, they responded by saying “We just felt it was what Jesus would have done”.
With the continued conflict in Lebanon, and with Israel continuing to occupy parts of Southern Lebanon, we are asked to pay for the volatility in the Middle East. This is a message from Ben Soh:
How to pray for the volatile Middle East, by Ben Soh
With a total population today of about 300 million (up from 38 million in 1955), the Middle East is one of the youngest and fastest growing regions of the world. Yet, it is also a region of persistent conflict and political strife as wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Israel/Palestine in the past two decades have devastated many cities and its people. For many in the Middle East, and particularly in Gaza, life is a daily struggle of survival and against hopelessness.
Here’s how the Church can pray.
- Pray for a ceasefire in Gaza
- Pray for effective international peacemakers
- Pray for those displaced by ware
- Pray for the Church and Christians serving in the region.
(source)
You can actually read the full story, get more detailed information about the previously mentionsed prayer points, and find out more information about the Sohs and the ministry in Lebanon over at the Salt & Light web-site, saltandlight.sg.
YWAM Santa Cruz
Now we are going to take a chance to check out YWAM Santa Cruz:
Check out their web-site, ywamsantacruz.com, to find out more.
YWAM Ships Water Tank Delivery
YWAM Ships Aorearoa last month visited Tuvalu in July. Tuvalu is one of the smallest on earth with a landmass of 26 square km, a tiny population of only 11,656, and is one of the most isolated nations on earth.
During their visit they partnered with Engineers Without Borders New Zealand to deliver 126 water tanks to remote communities across the islands of Tuvalu.
During their time in Tuvalu they are also operating medical clinics in partnership with the Tuvaluan Ministry of Health.
Follow their outreach on their Facebook page.
YWAM Ships Kona Outreach in PNG
While the YWAM Koha is in Tuvalu, YWAM Ship’s Koha is outreaching in Papua New Guinea:
During the recent outreach the YWAM Liberty teams visited 6 villages to bring primary medical care, health education, the Jesus Film, and the hope of Jesus!
They were able to see 835 patients! Some pregnant moms got check-ups and an ultrasound at their community!
- 634 Primary Health Care patients
- 11 Maternal consults/ultrasounds
- 90 malaria tests with 27 positives who received treatment right away!
- 82 physiotherapy consults
- 108 patients received reading glasses
More than medical care, the team encouraged the communities, engaging 1750 people with community outreach activities. Bringing joy and hope through Bible stories, worship, praying for 250 people, and showing the Jesus Film at Dylup community with 200 attendees.
Dylup is one of the communities where God’s word has flourished in amazing ways! The pastor and his wife are national missionaries from a different area. The church has grown since the YWAM Ships teams started to partner with the local church. It is always a sweet time to visit this village and the people who were impacted by the previous visits. What a blessing to see them growing strong in their faith and walking with Jesus!
You can continue to follow their outreach on their Facebook Page.
Global and Community Health Seminar
In September YWAM Ships Kona is also running the Global and Community Health Seminar.
Prepare to serve in global settings with continuing education focused on cross-cultural clinical and community care. This course covers tropical diseases in a case-based format and highlights the provision of quality care through the application of global health guidelines while considering cultural context. This seminar will take place at the YWAM Ships Kona missionary base. If you have been interested in medical missions and how to use your skills for the gospel, this is for you! We will be offering an optional medical outreach following the seminar.
You can find out more about the course at ywamshipskona.org.
Three Days of Meetings for Pacific Islanders
In July Pacific Islanders from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia came together in Honolulu to gather together for three days to be aligned and unified as family for the next wave of missions from the Pacific into the nations.
They heard powerful stories from islanders about their journey into missions, the culture shock, and the refining process that shaped them. They were reminded: Don’t raise leaders, raise sons. Sons and daughters who know the Father and carry His heart.
They also looked back – honoring the generation who found the pearls hidden in the past. And looked forward – asking God to show what to look for now. Together, Gen Z and the generations before are uniting to advance the Kingdom.
At the end of the three days they closed with the cost of discipleship – not a man-made platform but a God-breathed calling. Jesus doesn’t call the volunteers. He calls disciples.
You can read the stories of this gathering on the YWAM Honolulu’s Facebook Page.
YWAM Samoa Annual Gathering
Also in the Pacific, YWAM Samoa had their annual general meeting. It was a time to reflect on the year that passed, celebrate what God has done, and look forward with faith and unity.
It was also a special day where they selected their new YWAM Samoa Board officials. A heart of gratitude was shared by their former base director, Usufono Fepuleai, as he gave thanks to the staff and leadership of YWAM Samoa for their dedication, service, and unity through the years.
Check out their Facebook Page to find out more about their ministry.
Prayer Station – YWAM Philadelphia
YWAM Philadelphia continues to run their prayer station …
You can visit ywamphiladelphia.org to find out more, including how you might be able to join them at their prayer station.
YWAM Paris Connect Street Sharing
Meanwhile, YWAM Connect continues to share Christ in the streets of Paris.
They are busy with public worship, testimonies, sharing the gospel, and praying with people on the streets.
Head on over to ywamparisconnect.com to find out more.
YWAM Berlin City Outreach
Also over in Europe, YWAM Berlin headed out for a City Outreach Day.
City outreach day is an opportunity for the YWAM Berlin staff to love on their city!
While all their staff have their own ministries and focuses that the Lord has called them to, there is something beautiful about coming together for an intentional time of outreach for Berlin, and getting to partner with others.
Visit ywamberlin.org to find out more.
YWAM Ashville Free Food Delivery
Since November when Hurricane Helene destroyed towns and lives in the South-eastern United States, YWAM Ashville has been helping with the disaster response and recovery.
Every week, weather permitting, YWAM Ashville is out serving people in Ashville with free food from their food truck.
The dates and menus change depending on the week, but you can check out the latest update on the YWAM Ashville Facebook page.
YWAM Sunshine Coast Uganda Outreach
Last month YWAM Sunshine Coast complete their outreach to Uganda.
You can watch the full report from their outreach in the show notes, at ywampodcast.com/159.
YWAM Saint Marc Trade Schools
In July YWAM Saint Marc in Haiti is finishing up up their latest trade school sessions. For the last three years they have been operating the Liberty Academy Professional School.
In 2024 they had over 550 students enrolled in 16 different classes, and the participation has only grown in 2025. They offer classes in Electrician, Plumbing, Culinary Arts, Computer Science, Backhoe Loader, Driving School, English, Spanish, Cosmetology, Decoration, Makeup, Sewing, Tile Setting and Welding.
Right now the students are in the midst of their exams, and they ask that we would be praying for the students and staff at this time.
You can find out more about the Liberty Academy Trade School on the YWAM St Marc web-site, ywamstmarchaiti.org.
YWAM Les Cayes Electrical School
Also in Haiti, YWAM Les Cayes is in the middle of their electrical school. There are 24 students enrolled, and they are growing in knowledge and integrity at the school.
Check out ywamlescayes.com to find out more.
YWAM Faith Harvest Helpers
Now I thought we could find out about a YWAM community in Maytown, Washington …
You can visit ywamfhh.com to find out more about their community and ministry.
YWAM Kona Latest Podcast Episode
YWAM Kona just released a fantastic podcast episode about Intercession.
I’ve embedded the full podcast episode over at ywampodcast.com/159, and if you follow the link there, you can subscribe to future episodes of their podcast.
Community Development Seminar
YWAM Marseille is running a Community Development Seminar in October this year.
During the seminar participants get a taste of what it means to partner with communities to see them move towards the fullness of life that God intends. Participants learn how to be an agent of Kingdom change in communities around the world, bringing God’s love to those in need.
Topics include:
- Worldview: truth that transforms
- Community Development Principles
- Biblical basis for relief and development
The seminar is a part of the full Community Development School that runs from September 28 – December 20.
You can find out more about their courses on their web-site, ywammarseille.com.
Bible School for the Nations Seminar.
YWAM Wylie’s Bible School for the Nations recently finished their latest outreach …
Head on over to ywamwylie.org to find out more about their upcoming courses and ministry opportunities.
Nanny Opportunity at YWAM Chico
Serving in missions can look many different ways. Right now YWAM Chico is on the lookout for a nanny this September!
In September YWAM Chico is running a Crossroads and a Marriage and Family Discipleship Training School. During the school they are looking for someone to serve one of our families as a nanny for 3 months.
You can email them at familydts@ywamchico.org to get more information.
YWAM Adelaide Gen Z Base Tour
Instead of a meme this month I thought that we could enjoy a “Gen Z” tour of YWAM Adelaide …
YWAM Adelaide is starting their latest Discipleship Training School this week, and you can find out more about their ministry at ywamadelaide.com.au.
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