Drums. Dancing. Jumping. This is Africa. Shouting. Singing. Whistles. This is Africa. Revival. Redemption. Reconciliation. This is Africa. As over 500 gathered from all over southern Africa on May 24 for our YWAM 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration, we had so much to celebrate and thank God for over the past five decades.

When many of us first stepped out into missions, it seemed like we were stepping into nothing but the invisible arms of the Lord. We left our homes, said goodbye to our friends and family, and walked into what was totally unknown with only a vision or a dream beating strongly in our hearts. Many among us pioneered and it started out, as Loren Cunningham compared, “void and without form.” But I have taken note today that although we may feel that we are starting something new, we are actually building on a great legacy: the renown of the Lord and the great dream of His heart.

Darlene Cunningham recounted for us those that built into this dream centuries ago. The friends of the paralytic that couldn’t go through the door so they went through the roof. The woman with an issue of blood that pressed her way through the crowd that would have pushed her back. The persistent widow that refused to accept Jesus’ first answer but made His head turn to her out of admiration for her determination. The prostitute that wasn’t welcomed but came anyway to anoint Jesus, regardless of the criticism and harsh remarks that surrounded her. May we turn God’s head with our “I won’t quit” spirit in southern Africa and hear His voice say, “How great is your faith!”

In the lobby amidst information stalls and snacks for sale to support our ministries, a timeline is presented on the wall. It recounts from the first YWAM outreach team that came to Africa in 1961 to the new base in Mosselbaai, South Africa that started only months ago. In the afternoon, long-term staff narrated stories with smiles of familiarity in their eyes. Careen Grig encouraged us to put the people we disciple on our shoulders so they can go further. Rika Van Niekerk shared about her training school that had 54 students and 2 staff. Stefan Hugo informed us that we now have 35 bases in southern Africa. How many stories can be told from the past 50 years just from this one region!

Darlene also evoked us to remember those that are vital partners in our ministry. Businessmen, prayer partners, financial supporters, local pastors, countless teachers, mission builders, outside prophets. “None of us have done all this by ourselves,” she reminded us. We would not be where we are today without God bringing these partners in ministry alongside us.

In truth there has been assembled under our feet a large platform. It has been built through many prayers and tears and victories and heartaches. We hear it today as only stories, but they are the precious memories of our brothers and sisters in Christ that have labored hard here in southern Africa. We can all add our own personal experiences and life stories to the stockpile as well. It is what we stand firmly on as we look into the future.

And into the future Loren took us with visions of transformational inventions and Christian discipleship that treads deep into every sphere of society. He inspired us with “where YWAM is” and presented us with “where we are not.” As we were challenged to go out into the 3,435 omega zones that do not have a full-time YWAM presence yet, we took communion and committed ourselves to the Christian Magna Carta and the Jubilee Covenant. And then we danced in celebration.

But we didn’t stop there. Although Loren and Darlene moved on to the next gathering, we invited our local pastors to join us the next night and we celebrated all over again. We took these precious partners in the Gospel with us through the journey of our history. Ministries such a Justice ACTs and YWAM Kickoff were prayed over in unity. Training schools and YWAM children performed dances and songs. We showcased the best we knew how what God has done among us, giving Him all the glory. After Etienne Pieterse shared his heart for the nations, we joined together to pray fervently for our region.

Here in southern Africa, we anxiously await the coming explosion of growth in our mission. Our spirits are in awe of the new bases and ministries that are springing up quickly. Nothing will encourage our hearts more about the future than remembering what God has already done. This is where we grasp tighter to our “I won’t quit” spirit. As Darlene told us, there are no negotiations. This great platform of the last 50 years of YWAM and thousands of years of God’s faithfulness in completing His dream is the springboard that propels us into the future.

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Reporter: Ashley Davis; Photographers: Jazelle du Plooy, Cindy Speirs and Tracy Hindes.

Go to www.ywam50.com for up-to-date reports and photos about the YWAM Founders' 50th Anniversary Celebrations.