Loren Cunningham was a pioneer in global missions. While many were looking for long-term career missionaries, Loren felt that there was a place for youth to serve in short-term capacities around the world, both unsalaried and interdenominationally. With that belief in mind, he founded Youth With a Mission (YWAM).

Tens of thousands of full-time staff participate from more than 200 countries and various denominations and Christian traditions, serving at over 2,000 YWAM locations in nearly 200 nations. Millions have served in YWAM programs as students, short-term volunteers and full-time staff.

The goal to see all people have access to Scripture has been part of YWAM’s DNA from the beginning. In 2003 Loren issued a compelling challenge to put a Bible in every home by the year 2020. As time went by, he learned more and more about the number of languages without Scripture. This led him to launch what ultimately became the End Bible Poverty Now movement where YWAM took the challenge to start oral Bible translation in 1,000 languages.

As a result of this global scale and impact, many have credited YWAM as being among the world’s largest mission movements. But Loren always pointed back to Jesus, saying, “Well, however large it is, it’s not large enough because Jesus’ last commandment to reach the whole world with the gospel has not been completed.”

Loren was an advocate for unity within the body of Christ, and believed that working in partnership with other missions and churches was key to advancing the Great Commission around the world.

In a tribute from YWAM, they wrote, “Loren was the first person in history to travel for the sake of Christ and the Great Commission to every sovereign nation on earth, all dependent countries, and more than 100 territories (Mark 16:15). Now he has added one more ‘stamp’ to his well-worn passport: HEAVEN!” (You can read more about Loren’s life in YWAM’s tribute.)

Loren’s life and ministry was founded on Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19-20, which says,

Well done, Loren. You dedicated your life to seeing the Great Commission advanced. I can only imagine the countless people you’re encountering in heaven because of your dedication to making disciples of all nations — for God’s glory and the good of His people everywhere!

Until all the nations worship,

Dr. John Chesnut
President/CEO
Wycliffe Bible Translators USA