Loren Cunningham – Loren Cunningham and his wife Darlene, are the founders of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an ever-expanding global ‘movement of ministry organizations’, born in 1960, which has reached into every nation.
Loren is also the founder and former President of the University of the Nations (UofN), YWAM’s global university. Loren has personally gone to every sovereign nation on the earth, all dependent countries, and more than 150 territories and islands for the sake of the Gospel. This has given him valuable insights into global trends and uniquely prepares him to share God’s strategies for world evangelism. His wisdom, experience, leadership understanding and call to build bridges of unity within the body of Christ have caused him to be sought out by leaders of nations and organizations worldwide.
Born in Taft, California, Loren’s family heritage is rich with generations of Christian ministers. His educational background includes three Bachelor degrees, a Master of Science in Administration of Education, and two Honorary Doctorates. Loren is the author of five books, translated into nearly sixty languages: ‘Is That Really You God?’, ‘Making Jesus Lord’,'Daring to Live on The Edge’, ‘Why Not Women?’ and his latest book ‘The Book That Transforms Nations’. Loren and his wife Darlene are also the directors of the YWAM/UofN Kona and live in Kona, Hawaii.
Paul Hawkins – Paul Hawkins is by gifting and training, an educator. He has served with YWAM since 1971 pioneering the first training Center for YWAM in Scandinavia. In 1974, he and his family moved to Hawaii where he played a vital role in the foundation of International Christian Schools and the University of the Nations for seventeen years.
Paul’s expertise and prophetic teaching ministry has made him a teacher and lecturer in demand around the world. His well-researched yet down-to-earth, practical and sincere teaching style has had particular impact in many nations. He has been the main speaker at over fifty educational seminars on every continent covering over twenty nations, emphasizing foundational presuppositional truths from God’s Word to Christian educators. He has affected the lives of many students through his ministry to teachers and leaders worldwide, and he also has some of the finest teaching available on intercessory prayer and the character of God. Beginning in 1990 Paul pioneered the School of Intercession, Worship and Spiritual Warfare worldwide which have now been offered over 200 times in twenty-one nations. He was the director of the International Prayer Centre as part of the University of the Nations for five years and currently resides with his wife, Peggy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
David Hamilton – The son of United Methodist missionaries in South America, David has served God for more than twenty-seven years in YWAM. He and his wife, Christine, pioneered the work of YWAM in Santiago, Chile, and the first School of Biblical Studies in Spanish in South America. He currently serves as one of the three Vice Presidents of the University of the Nations, as well as being on the International Leadership Forum of the UofN and the Global Leadership Forum of YWAM. He is also currently serving on the YWAM/UofN Kona campus. David and Christine have four children and currently live in Kona, Hawaii.
Maureen Menard – Maureen was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, into a predominantly Irish Catholic context. She came to know Jesus as a person in 1974 through the reading of the Word, which was sparked by the rock opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. The next year, she transferred from the University of Massachusetts to Wheaton College from which she received a BA in Biblical Studies and an MA in New Testament Studies. Maureen first joined YWAM in 1982 in ‘The Ark’ discipling ministry of Amsterdam. In 1985, she staffed her first DTS and has been working with DTSs since that time. Whilst in Amsterdam, Maureen served as the Training Director as well as a member of the Base Leadership Council under the leadership of Floyd McClung. From 1988, Maureen steadily became more involved with the mission internationally. She served as a member of the International Committee for the UofN’s College of Christian Ministries from 1989 to 1992, was appointed the International Associate Director of the DTS Centre in 1993, was confirmed the International Director of the DTS Centre in September of 1999 and is YWAM’s first female Vice President. Throughout the years of increased international responsibilities, Maureen has stayed involved with DTSs at the grassroots level, leading DTS schools in the Balkans and in Lausanne, teaching in DTSs worldwide and leading workshops for DTS staff and leaders internationally. She currently serves as one of the three vice presidents of the University of the Nations and lives in Capetown, South Africa.
Tom Bloomer – Tom and his wife Cynthia have ministered in Switzerland since 1974, where they received a missionary call to the French-speaking nations. After doing a BA in Archeology at the University of Illinois and later an MA in Missiology at Wheaton College Graduate School, Tom completed his PhD in 1999 in Theology of Education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Tom Bloomer is currently the Provost of the University of the Nations and one of the three Vice Presidents of the University of the Nations. He lives in Burtigny, Switzerland, with his wife Cynthia.
David Ross – David E. Ross has been a Presbyterian background missionary to the Korean people for over 45 years. He and his wife Ellen founded Youth With A Mission in Korea as well as the Antioch Institute for International Ministries. Their present ministries include international teaching, writing, providing pastoral care for long-term, cross-cultural missionaries, and ministry to North Korea / New Korea. David is the author of two books on North Korea as well as numerous Bible study manuals including ‘A Table Before Me’. David and Ellen are serving the YWAM-AIIM Pneuma Springs, YWAM Seattle base as Directors. He enjoys photography as well as listening to Rachmaninoff. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Christiane Keller – Hails from Baden-Baden, Germany, and her journey with God to the nations began during her YWAM DTS in South Africa. Involved for years in teaching and training within YWAM and other institutes, she is a very anointed worship leader and moves in the prophetic. In 2002, she moved to Berlin, having spent several years in the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii working with the school of worship there, as well as in Colorado Springs with the School of Spiritual Warfare. In Berlin, she has worked with the poor and the needy in the city, as well as with spiritual development. Christiane typically speaks on ‘The Power of the Cross’ when she comes to YWAM Lausanne.
Annerose Krebs – Annerose Krebs grew up in Southern Germany. In the 80′s she co-owned and ran a dance and fitness studio. After God clearly called her to another kind of life, she did a two-year Bible training course in Germany (Christ for the Nations), followed by studies at a Christian art school in St. Louis, USA. Since then shes been involved in various nations in the area of worship, prayer and the prophetic with the arts, movement and music, pioneering new ministries. She visually presents God’s heart and word and has coached and released many over the years in that area. After a season of living in Israel being full-time in a prayer-worship ministry there, Annerose moved to Berlin five years ago, where God linked her and Christiane Keller together in ministry. Her heart’s desire is to see the bride of Christ be prepared for her bridegroom and for His glory to be seen on earth.
Dan Sneed – For many years, Dan has pastored in the Los Angeles area, much of it under the mentorship of Jack Hayford. Over 20 years ago, Dan started teaching in YWAM schools and in 1976, along with his wife and three of their six children, attended a Crossroads DTS in Kona. In recent years, Dan has ministered to ministers of the Four Square Church all over Europe, and is currently an itinerant teacher. His clear and gentle prophetic gifting, along with an easy and excellent teaching style makes him a favorite everywhere he goes. He is the author of ‘Power of New Identity.’
Peter Warren – Peter joined Youth With A Mission in Canberra, Australia in 1977. He met his wife Linda while serving with YWAM Los Angeles. They were married in 1979, led Discipleship Training Schools for three years, and directed the ministry during their final year in California. In 1984, Peter and Linda moved to Colorado to pioneer the base in Denver. Peter continues to oversee YWAM Denver, and serves on the ministry’s leadership council. He is a regular speaker in YWAM training schools around the world, as well as in local churches, conferences and seminars. Peter and Linda are the directors of YWAM Denver and live in Denver, Colorado, with their three children Stephen, Rachel and Jessica.
SungGun Hong – Brother Sung Gun committed his life to God in his teenage years. Since he had an intensively vivid experience of the Holy Spirit in college, he has given his whole life to the Lord to fulfill the Great Commission. He personally believes in the fulfillment of this mission with obedient churches and Christian youth who joyfully commit their lives to Jesus. He has served youth by challenging them with the vision and the words of Christ and equipping them for mission. He graduated from Sogang University in Korea as well as Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He started college campus ministry, evangelism and discipleship training in 1979. From 1986 until 2003 he served YWAM Korea as a National Director, building up the foundation for international mission in local churches and mission organizations. He currently serves YWAM International as a Regional Director of East Asia and the Director of the University of Nations Jeju campus. He and his wife, Hyunjoo Lee, reside in Jeju.
John Bills – John Bills has been a missionary with YWAM for more than thirty-seven years. He is recognized among his peers as a man of tremendous compassion. John and his wife Jill have pioneered several ministries: relief ministries to the Vietnamese, Laos and Cambodian refugees in Thailand and in the US in the 1980′s, unwed mothers’ homes, homes for adults and children with AIDS in countries such as Brazil, India and Africa, and AIDS ministry worldwide for over twenty-five years. He is the YWAM International HIV / AIDS Chaplain providing pastoral care for AIDS ministries globally. John has directed training schools, YWAM centers and travels extensively training this generation on missions-related subjects. He is also on the leadership team for the YWAM International DTS Centre team. John and Jill reside in Sunland, CA. John is also the son-in-law of Jim and Joy Dawson. Joy has had a tremendous impact internationally through her understanding of the ways of God and has deeply influenced John through her teaching and mentoring. Their children are currently all involved in Christian ministry.
Dean Sherman – Teacher throughout the Body of Christ worldwide for over thirty-five years. He presents the truth of God’s Word with simple clarity and an anointing of authority and practicality. His unique, exciting presentation style often brings new understanding about God and His ways. He makes truth both easy to listen to and challenging for life. Trust in God and our potential in life and ministry are increased, as we realize His love, power and grace within us. Dean has worked with Youth With a Mission since 1967. He helped to pioneer YWAM in Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. He has led mission teams in most areas of Asia and the Pacific. From the US, Dean is married to Michelle, who is Australian. They have two married children, Cherie and Troy, as well as four grandchildren. Currently Dean and Michelle live in Kona, Hawaii.
Pastor Dave Gibson – Pastor Dave Gibson is a native of North St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1989 he responded to a call from Grace Church Edina in Minneapolis (an evangelical church of approximately 4,800) and is presently serving as the Pastor of Missions and Outreach. Pastor Gibson also serves on the board of Sports Outreach America, a coalition of over 300 churches, ministries and agencies. He has given leadership to statewide outreach initiatives surrounding a number of major sporting events with a major focus on the 1992 Super Bowl. He has also been a Bible study leader and chapel speaker for numerous professional athletic teams, and is also an instructor for the Billy Graham School of Evangelism.
Troy Sherman – Troy and his wife, Alisa, were born into long-serving missionary families with Youth With a Mission. Troy and Alisa each received a missions calling and a desire to follow in their parents’ footsteps. Troy pursued a BA in Christian Ministries at YWAM’s University of the Nations. Most recently their passion for a new wave of abolitionists inspired them to help start The Freedom Project, a branch of Slavic Ministries that is dedicated to see the end of modern day sexual slavery. Together, Alisa and Troy have ministered in more than ninety countries. They are currently working with, The Women and Children’s Advocacy Center with YWAM. The WCAC brings people, resources, training and information together for the benefit of women and children at risk. Troy still continues to teach and infuse passion in others to GO! They also travel the globe and encourage students they have sent to the field, and serve internationally where needed. They currently reside in Portland, Oregon in the US with their two children, Kai Parker and Noe Leianna.
Al Akimoff – Born in Kuldja, China, his parents and grandparents fled from the persecution and famines in Ukraine and after a long journey that took them through the Urals and Central Asia, they escaped into China. They had become believers in a brief revival that swept through Ukraine in the late 1920s. After more years of traveling through China and living in refugee camps in Japan and The Philippines, they arrived in the US where Al grew up in a Slavic community in San Francisco.
Finding Jesus after a few rebellious years, Al was recruited by Loren Cunningham to join him in a summer outreach in the Caribbean Islands in 1964. Many years later an invitation by Brother Andrew to work with him, took Al and his wife, Carolyn, to Holland and Eastern Europe. Al’s first Bible smuggling trip was to Moscow in 1970. While busy smuggling and pioneering YWAM’s early efforts into Eastern Europe, Al and Carolyn joined together with Romkje DeGraf (Fountain) to help pioneer YWAM Holland and purchase a couple of river boats and establish the Ark ministry in Amsterdam.
In 1983 Al and Carolyn and their four children moved to Salem, Oregon to establish a training and co-coordinating center for Eastern Europe. Al currently serves as Regional Director for YWAM East Europe and the International Director of YWAM Slavic Ministries. He is also a member of the YWAM Global Leadership Forum and serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of the Nations.
Dan Shannon – Dan Shannon is originally from Denver, Colorado. At nineteen, Dan joined YWAM in 2001. He had such a radical worldview change during his DTS that he felt called to join staff and help other young people come to know God in the same way. Since that time, he has traveled to six of the seven continents and to over forty countries. Dan has a passion to open the eyes of the church to how alive and active God still is today. He also loves to be on the ground helping to reach the lost around the world. He has been a part of leading numerous short-term teams into countries such as Cambodia, Nepal, India, Sudan, Uganda, Israel, and China. He has both staffed and led DTSs in Kona, Hawaii and helped lead staff training there. Dan and his best friend Matt Hulst have also started a network of young missionaries that they call ‘AWAKEN’. Awaken is a movement focused on opening the eyes of the body of Christ around the world to the reality of God. Most recently, he has focused much of his time in Northern India with the Tibetan refugees there and speaking to various YWAM schools, college groups and churches.
