Foundational Values of Global Prayer House
Building the Vision Through Values
Since the beginning of Youth With A Mission in 1960, God has emphasized certain Biblical values which serve as spiritual foundations for the mission. The combined strength of these values has strongly influenced the nature and character of YWAM around the world. These shared values are the guiding principles for both the past and the future growth of our mission. They are beliefs we hold in high regard which determine how we live and make decisions.
God's Word is the final authority for conduct and faith in Global Prayer House , which is a ministry of Youth With A Mission. Our foundational values are not a list of rules to be adhered to; they were not even written down until YWAM was 25 years old. Rather, these values are recorded here in an attempt to pass on to successive generations that which God has emphasized to us as a mission. The following list has been reviewed by the YWAM International Executive Committee and approved by the International Council.
1. Global Prayer House is committed to know God, His character and His ways. We affirm the vital importance of hearing God's voice, seeking His counsel and obeying His instructions. (Numbers 23:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:3-4; John 5:30; 10:1-4; 16:13; Isaiah 6:8; Acts 16:6-10)
2. Global Prayer House is called to make God known, through Evangelism, Training and Mercy Ministries. All our activities should contribute towards the goal of discipling the nations. (Acts 13:2-3; Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-18; 15:18-21)
3. Global Prayer House recognizes the Bible to be God's inspired and authoritative Word and relies upon the Holy Scriptures as the standard for life and ministry. Obedience to the Word of God is an evidence of our commitment to Jesus' Lordship. (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 2:15)
4. Global Prayer House is visionary doing new things in new ways where new initiatives are required to accomplish the Great Commission. (Isaiah 42:8-9; John 4:35; Matthew 10:1-10; Hebrews 11:1-3; Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2)
5. Global Prayer House is international and interdenominational in its scope and constituency. We believe that cultural, racial and theological diversity are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the mission. (Matthew 24:14; Ephesians 4:1-16; Revelation 7:9)
6. Global Prayer House affirms the importance of the local church and seeks to promote unity among all God's people. We endeavour to work in partnership with other believers, building bridges among Christian leaders, churches and missions for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (Philippians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; Ephesians 3:8-10)
7. Global Prayer House is broad structured and linked together by relationship, shared values, accountability to international leadership and a commitment to world evangelization. (Mark 10:42-43; Exodus 18:17-26; John 8:36; 1 Corinthians 3:4-9; Hebrews 13:7,17)
8. Global Prayer House is called to praise and worship of the Lamb of God, intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare. We endeavour to resist the devil by moving in the opposite spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ. In all things, we desire to keep Jesus central to our lives and ministry. (Ephesians 5:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 32:6; Psalm 100; Psalm 150; John 17:15-21; Mark 11:24; Acts 1:14; Colossians 4:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; James 4:7; Matthew 12:23-29)
9. Global Prayer House affirms the importance of living holy and righteous lives. We believe that holiness is a fruit of God's grace, transforming the motives of the heart, and affecting our words, conduct, business dealings and relationships. (1 Samuel 15:10-28; Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 51:6-17; Matthew 5:8; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:7)
10. Global Prayer House is committed to doing, then teaching, according to Jesus' example. We affirm the importance of living a concept, theory or belief in personal experience as essential to passing it on to others. We believe that godly character and the fruit of the Spirit are more important than an individual's gifts, abilities and expertise. (Ezra 7:10; Acts 1:1; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:5-10; Micah 6:8)
11. Global Prayer House is dedicated to being relationship oriented in our living and working together. We desire to minimize the need for structures and rules by leading lives of transparency, humility and open communication. (1 John 1:7; Galatians 5:1)
12. Global Prayer House is called to value each individual. We believe all races, ages, cultures and individuals--male and female--have distinctive contributions and callings. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Acts 13:1-3; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:4-7)
13. Global Prayer House recognizes the values of the family. We affirm the importance of fathers, mothers and children all sharing a call to missions and contributing in unique, complementary and vital ways. We support the necessity for each individual family to be a strong and healthy unit. (Deuteronomy 4:9-10,40; 6:6-7; 32:46; Proverbs 31; 1 Timothy 3:4)
14. Global Prayer House is called to champion young people. We believe in their leadership and potential to change the world and are dedicated to equip them with the tools to do so. (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Samuel 2:18-19; 17:33-37; Daniel 1:4,8-9; Jeremiah 1:5-10)
15. Global Prayer House is committed to team ministry. We recognize that functioning in teams at all levels of the organization provides an opportunity for balance of spiritual gifts and insights. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 6:7; Ephesians 5:21; Proverbs 15:22; Acts 15:22; Acts 10:25-26)
16. Global Prayer House affirms personal responsibility and volunteerism, encouraging individuals to seek God for guidance and direction regarding ministry roles and methods of performing their work. we encourage personal initiative in these areas, making decisions together with their leaders, both YWAM and others. (Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Samuel 3:10; mark 1:17-18; Matthew 9:9; Acts 26:12-20)
17. Global Prayer House is called to servant leadership. A servant leader is one who honours the calling of his/her followers and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities in our mission serving those whom they lead. (Luke 17:7-10; John 13:12-17; Mark 10:42-45)
18. Global Prayer House makes no distinction between the sacred and the secular. We seek to honour all functions equally within the Kingdom of God. No rules or ministries are more important or spiritual than others. We seek to equip and mobilize men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every sphere of society. (Acts 11:9; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Zechariah 14:20-21; Romans 12:3-8; 13:1-10; Philemon 1-2; Titus 3:13; Colossians 4:14; Hebrews 13:16)
19. Global Prayer House is called to practice a life of dependance upon God and His people for financial provision, both corporately and individually. (Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians 4:6-7, 10-20; 3 John 5-8)
20. Global Prayer House is dedicated to hospitality. We believe it is important to serve and honour all fellow YWAMers, guests and the poor and needy through this ministry. (3 John 8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9)
21. Global Prayer House is called to practice generosity and to model and teach the spirit of generosity in all we do. (Romans 12:8-13; 1 Timothy 5:17; 6:18; Philippians 4:17-18; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; Psalm 112:5)
NOTE:
The three major "documents" of Youth With A Mission which communicate our ethos are: the Christian Magna Carta, the Manila Covenant and the Foundational Values. We also affirm the Lausanne Covenant.