Focus Articles

A Message from the Founder

Kurt Hurst — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Written: September 2009

Dear Friend,
About 50 years ago, Fran and I began our ministry together pastoring churches. Ten years later, we joined a young organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Over the last 40 years we have had the wonderful privilege of leading a part of this ministry and of experiencing the Lord’s faithfulness to make it grow and multiply in so many ways. A few years ago, Fran and I began to pray about handing over the leadership at some point in the future. We sensed that this role should be passed down to a younger generation. In praying carefully about this over a significant period of time, we sensed the Lord speak clearly that we were to appoint Chris and Debbie Lascelles to this role. When we approached our council and asked them to pray about Chris and Debbie taking on the leadership of YWAM Tyler, there was great enthusiasm; they all sensed that this decision was from the Lord.

Anniversay Celebrations

Kurt Hurst — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Written: September 2009

Forty years ago the Lord directed Leland and Fran Paris, founders and chairpersons of Youth With A Mission Tyler, to leave the pastorate and begin a YWAM ministry in Hammonton, New Jersey – YWAM’s first training facility in the United States. Afterward they journeyed westward and began a YWAM ministry in Solvang, California, eventually relocating to Tyler, Texas, where the ministry continues today. Throughout the years, thousands of us responded to the invitation

When Words Won't Work

Tammy Evans — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:28:00 +0000

Written: June 2009
While I was preparing to take a team to an Asian nation for outreach, I was told that it is closed to the gospel of God. I was told that we can’t preach, we can’t do dramas about Jesus, and we can’t sing songs about God’s love. So as a team we prayed, and we asked God the following questions: “How do you share the freedom of Christ in a nation that has no freedom?” “How do you preach the gospel without words?” “How do you convince a person that Jesus died just for him, when he’s one amongst millions?”

Well, we didn’t really have the answers when we left, but in faith we knew that God would provide a way to share His love with the people in that nation. There are many stories about this trip, many salvations and wonderfully amazing moments, but to me the following story is a story of how God wants us to live our lives, every day.

Rodger and Katrina Kistler

Kurt Hurst — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Rodger and Katrina met in the fall of 2002 at their home church in Wichita, Kansas. They were both surprised to meet somebody there who had a heart for missions and for YWAM. Rodger had traveled for a year with Impact World Tour, riding a freestyle BMX bicycle during ministry campaigns. Katrina had just returned from her Teachers for the Nations outreach to Kenya. After seven short months of dating and serving their home church, they got married. In 2004 they came to YWAM Tyler so Rodger could attend DTS and SOE training schools, and Katrina joined staff at Fatherheart maternity home.

Reaching the Haitian Outback

Patty Beck — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:46:00 +0000

The long winding road took us deeper and deeper into the Haitian outback. Baking in the morning sun and choking back the dust, we carefully scanned the horizon, wondering where our final destination would be. The barren landscape showed no sign of life.

Just as our restlessness peaked, we saw it: A narrow path emerged to our right, carved out of the abandoned rice fields. Our truckload of people and supplies jostled about as we turned off the main road and made our way across the wilderness, only to find life at the other end. “There it is!” yelled someone to my left, “See the mud huts!” This would be our resting place, and our home, for the next seven days.

Taking His Kingdom to the Seven Spheres

Katherine Ewing — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:20:00 +0000

There is an amazing remnant everywhere. In fact, it is bigger than a remnant. The nation is full of godly, practical, common sense people who are hungry for the things of God. Welcome to the normal: Police officers, school secretaries, moms, plumbers, students, maids, and lawmakers—normal people who lighten the world. Like a mighty army, this holy remnant is hidden and quiet but the season is changing. God has given His people a voice and He has opened doors to influence the world in the seven spheres of society: church, family, government, education, arts and entertainment, media, and business and economics.

Meeting God

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:39:00 +0000

It was the third week of our outreach in South Korea, and it was a grueling one! Every morning we played with kindergartners before heading off to teach English in a middle school. After lunch we continued teaching English at two high schools all afternoon. Then, for four hours every evening we ran a kids camp, where we taught the kids dances, skits, songs, and Bible stories.

Starvation and Cholera Run Rampant in Zimbabwe

MercyWorks staff — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Here are a few realities:
Thousands of people are dead from a widespread cholera epidemic

Millions are living under the daily threat of starvation and violence

Unemployment is a staggering 94%

Inflation is unbelievably high. For the few who have work, the average monthly salary is only enough to pay for one loaf of bread.

What can you do to help?
Pray.The people of Zimbabwe are suffering unspeakably, and their government needs divine guidance. The greatest need the people have is to put their hope in Jesus.

Give. Funds will go toward medicine, food distribution, orphan care, and transportation.

Starvation and Cholera Run Rampant in Zimbabwe

Urgent Help is Needed

Once the richest nation in Africa, Zimbabwe now lies in ruins while its people are starving. According to a MercyWorks colleague in Zimbabwe, there is no food for people in the government hospitals. One church has "adopted" a hospital and takes meals there three times a day.

In addition to widespread starvation, thousands have died from a severe cholera outbreak. This disease is not a random mishap. It is a product of state failure, a direct consequence of decaying municipal infrastructure and a health system that can no longer offer basic services. Sadly, the under-nourishment of many people makes the risk of death from cholera a life-threatening certainty.

"Funerals of people dying of cholera are a common feature of our daily lives," said Tapiwa Hove, who lives in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. "But it seems no one cares. Sewage is flowing all over. It's like living in hell." Harare's Parirenyatwa Hospital, which was once one of the finest in Africa, is now closed with burst pipes leaking into its darkened operating rooms. One doctor said, "We've gone from some of the best healthcare in Africa to people dying because they are living in their own sewage."

MercyWorks is responding to this urgent crisis by raising prayer support and financial assistance for the people of Zimbabwe. They also plan to send a medical team as soon as possible. Initial departure was planned for early March; however, conditions on the ground made it too great a security risk. The team is prepared to go in on short notice when safety concerns have been sufficiently addressed.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.mercyworks.org, call MercyWorks at 1-866-77-MERCY, or email mercy@ywamtyler.org.

Josh and Marsha Langer

Kurt Hurst — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Whoever expects to meet their future spouse halfway around the world? Well, Josh and Marsha Langer never did, but that’s exactly what happened. Josh is from Germany, and he came to YWAM Tyler to do his DTS in 2002. Marsha, who is from Ohio, was in the same school. They began dating at the end of their second level school, School of Evangelism. Marsha then returned home to finish university, and Josh joined the YWAM Tyler staff in 2003.

Take Action 2009

Brett Franke — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:43:00 +0000

For the past 23 years, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Tyler has annually hosted Take Action, a multimedia event aimed at encouraging young people in their walk with God and exposing them to world missions. The event includes a multimedia production (drama, music, video, and dance), worship, small groups, workshops, and times of prayer and interaction with the participants.