Over the past several years, prophetic leaders and intercessors in Open Bible have been calling for and praying that our movement would return to the historic roots of faith, evangelism, and church planting (nationally and internationally) that birthed us. Specifically, intercessors have been praying for an increase of faith in our leaders, an infusion of the spirit of evangelism into our churches, and openness to apostolic leaders and church planters.
In October 2002, a small group of Open Bible leaders were invited to dialogue with leaders from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) about how the local church could partner with the mobile church to complete the Great
Commission. This meeting birthed ongoing discussion, relationships, and an emerging
partnership.YWAM is an international faith mission of 15,000 plus full-time workers in over 150 nations around the world. Loren Cunningham founded the mission in the late 1950s after he had a vision of waves of young people crashing onto the shores of all the continents and spreading the gospel to all the nations of the earth.
YWAM has a strong ministry track record of innovative outreaches, effective evangelism, and discipleship training for young people. Its leadership tends to be apostolic and evangelistic.
During the October 2002 meeting, Darlene Cunningham, wife of the founder of YWAM, shared that in the difficult early days of YWAM, Open Bible Churches supported and encouraged them in significant ways. She added that they have “never forgotten” this early connection with OBC. They believed God was initiating a new type of partnership between YWAM and the local church and OBC may have a significant role to play in this emerging partnership.
Pilot programs and an emerging partnership are beginning to connect the apostolic and evangelistic strengths of YWAM with the pastoral and teaching strengths of OBC.
The ongoing dialogue between OBC and YWAM and the pilots and partnerships that are emerging seem to be one sign that OBC is returning to our historical roots and that renewal is coming in preparation for the harvest God will bring to North America. If you are interested in learning more or participating
in
this emerging partnership between OBC and YWAM, please feel free to contact
me.