Sep. 2023 Update

September 15th, 2023 | Vol. 4 No. 9

OUR HEART

Leadership Expansion

Dear Friends,

Today we stand on the shoulders of those who faithfully prayed and trusted God for the ministry we see today at YWAM Lausanne. Together, with the whole community, we are deeply thankful and give God all the glory. During the last years, we have seen God miraculously at work with the expansion of the facilities and pioneering of missional ministries locally and internationally.

With great joy, we announce the expansion of the leadership at YWAM Lausanne. From Markus and Anita Steffen to an innovative Base Leader Team carrying the responsibility together with Emeline Soto from France, Daniel Esmeraldo from Brazil, and Jordan Weatherson from Canada. The three of them have served at YWAM Lausanne for many years and are pillars in our ministry. With the Base Leader Team, we strengthen the future of YWAM Lausanne. Serve and care for our growing number of staff and students effectively. Innovate fresh missional initiatives. Underpin the legacy of the ministry and implement the vision as a multi-generational Base Leader Team together with our staff and community. Thank you for your trust and support. We value your prayers and generosity.

Greetings from YWAM Lausanne

Markus and Anita, Emeline, Daniel, and Jordan

OUTREACH

Stories from Mexico

During our second week in Mexico, God opened the door for us to go and serve in a very isolated group in the prison. These people were going through an addiction rehab program and didn't receive many visits from outsiders. Being this early in our outreach journey and considering the crime rates of this country, the team was quite scared about this ministry time. Then again, this didn't stop us, God had opened a door and we were going to go through it.

After passing through all the different security checks we waited for them in the dining hall. We were not able to get in with a guitar so our plan was to share stories and have conversations with the prisoners. However, two christian prisoners showed up with a guitar and we started our time together singing worship songs in Spanish (the team had learned some songs despite not knowing the language very well). We shared some testimonies about repentance and freedom and out of the 30 people in the group around 26 gave their lives to Jesus.

As our time together was coming to an end one of the prisoners who had just given his life to Jesus stood up to say grace before having dinner together. He said "I don't really know how to pray but.. God I thank you for these people... even our families have given up on us and are not visiting us anymore, but you have sent these people who not only came and spent time with us but have treated us with dignity and respect, they are making us feel like people again, not prisoners". It was evident in his voice that God had deeply touched his heart.

For security reasons, our team couldn't take pictures inside the prison. This picture is from another ministry they did in a church in Mexico City.

A few days before we finished outreach (almost two moths later) we got to visit the prison again. Our team was expectant but also scared that what had happened on the first visit had stayed in the past. But once we saw them all these fears were swept away. It was so heartwarming to see them kneeling and worshiping God as we led worship. They shared with us how they had started reading the Bible and were asking questions to get to know God better. As we were leaving we stopped to make a circle and pray for them and we were surprised when they turned around and did the same for us.

Before outreach we received an image as we intercede for the country and our ministry there. This image was two concentric circles that were switching places. as the prisoners turned around from the circle we had created and created one around us to bless us as well we understood. God prepares our way, and our hearts. This is not about us, but about God and how He can transform realities through our obedience.

Mexico Outreach Team, Spring DTS

Life with the Lord Podcast

In this episode we sit down to talk to Diane Vermooten. She's a great film director and has been the director of Media Village in South Africa for decades. Come join us for a deep conversation in the power of stories and the need of storytellers that bring a prophetic vision for the world.

FORGING THE FUTURE

Upcoming Schools

IN CLOSING

Thank you

Our ministry's foundation and ongoing journey are rooted in complete reliance upon God. Our mission stems directly from the heart of God, bringing about transformative changes in the lives of young individuals. We equip them to be ambassadors sent to nations, fulfilling the great commission.

The full body of Christ and the generosity of many have consistently been key in fostering the fruitfulness and success of YWAM's journey with God. We extend a heartfelt invitation to you, asking you to contemplate partnering with us and our ministry. Just as God's blessings have enriched each of us, let us in turn bless one another. Thank you for considering to be a part of what God wants to do through YWAM Lausanne. To make a donation click here.