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The Unbiblical Openness of YWAM p.2 My personal experience, YWAM's ecumenism and its founders view of Eschatology I need to bring up the past for us to fully understand what is taking place in the present. For several years after I became a believer I would go to Friday night service at the YWAM base in Honolulu, I enjoyed the teaching and fellowship and would go street witnessing with them afterwards. We would go from Waikiki to the more seedier places in Honolulu, like Hotel St. There were many adventures, our purpose was the same, to share the gospel, to explain who the Lord is and even feed and clothe the homeless at times. Somewhere in the early 90’s YWAM began to change and I noticed. I talked with many who were going through DTS questioning what was being introduced. Then came a turning point. I can vividly remember sitting down with the main pastor of Calvary Chapels in Hawaii whom I considered a friend, along with the head of YWAM here in Hawaii, whom I learned was not. I brought to the discussion my concern of what recently happened at Benny Hinn's crusade. YWAM’s open promotion led by Joy Dawson of their participation with Benny Hinn. Which the head of YWAM here at the meeting discounted it all. Saying that Joy Dawson is not important in YWAM. I pointed out she was crucial person from the beginning, which he denied, saying she has nothing to do with YWAM. So here she is openly speaking to all of Hawaii on behalf of YWAM to be working with Benny Hinn at the Blaisdell center and I’m told by the head of the YWAM base it’s meaningless! He knew very well the founder Loren Cunningham recognized her as the cornerstone of Youth With A Mission. In fact numerous books of hers are published by YWAM https://ywampublishing.com/ Why would YWAM do that? Here’s what Cunningham wrote of Joy, “I sent letters to pastors and talked to leaders recommending her ministry. She taught the principles of intercessory prayer and hearing the voice of God that changed my life and shaped YWAM for decades to come. I can't imagine what YWAM would be like today without the teaching of Joy Dawson during our formative years until now” (Why Not Women, Loren Cunningham, p. 62). The week after Hinn was here on Oahu both Joy Dawson and Loren Cunningham were on Hinn’s program filmed at the YWAM base (Christ for all Nations) on the big Island of Hawaii. Something was certainly going on that I knew was not healthy. In another meeting, a month later I also brought up about Hinn doing his show at the University of Nations with founder Loren Cunningham. Again we were told Cunningham filming with Hinn at Big Island YWAM base, this too supposedly meant nothing. The fact that Loren Cunningham filmed Hinn’s show the whole week at the YWAM base, and endorsed Hinn, as Hinn endorsed YWAM showed their unity. This too was dismissed by the YWAM official and the pastor accepted this. You can read what was partially said here (http://www.letusreason.org/curren29.htm). A small portion about their unity in spirit and purpose. This pastor and others have ignored what I said then out of concern and care for the church, as he’s been friends with this YWAMer for years. Clearly he wanted to maintain the friendship with the head of YWAM despite what was obviously taking place and have to correct the error. This often shows a major weakness when truth does not matter as much as friendship. Since then so much has transpired, interfaith/universalism, unity with Roman Catholicism, alliances with known false prophets, and new age practices. I use this to show how YWAM deals with those who challenge their alliances, they are dismissive, they are self- protective against any challenges and refuse to answer on what is taking place within. What exactly was this YWAM leader bringing into the Calvary church? The Transformation video, quoting of books from leaders in the prophetic movement, endorsement of the prayer of Jabez (which Wilkinson writes In the Preface of the book: “I want to teach you how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers.” (Which was not true). Linking his site to others that have extensive word faith teaching. Promoting the prayer movement of Mike Bickle, the International house of Prayer, and more can be said. But the worst and most offensive was bringing Daniel Kikawa on his radio program promoting his book and ecumenical/interfaith concepts, such as the brilliant heresy of syncretism, saying we should be introducing Jesus as the son of the God of their (any) culture and nation. In his book Perpetuated in Righteousness on p.27, “Christians should cease representing Jesus as the Son of the foreign God of a foreign people … We should instead introduce Jesus as the Son of their creator God”. Is their creator god, the gods of the nation the God of Israel? God did not think so, and He would know. The Bible was sacrificed on the altar of ecumenism with the nations. So on the program using the other gods of the cultures we have the exchange that was an incredible compromise of Biblical teachings. Daniel Kikawa: “when the protestant missionaries came in decades later and, and used the name of Hananim, all of a sudden there was great excitement, that our God sent his son for us, Y’know, and so its not a foreign God anymore - our God” (Danny Lehmann Word to the World interview with Daniel Kikawa, Feb.13, 2006, #6). But it is not their God who sent the Son, it was a foreign God to them. Kikawa: “…what did Jesus say is tell everybody that I came. y’know, Not that you don’t know God or that you don’t have no relationship with him and he’s a foreign God to you. But that, that, the son of your creator came who made himself known to us Romans 1:20 says.” (Danny Lehmann Word to the World interview with Daniel Kikawa, Feb.14, 2006, #7). So then other nations have the true God; not false gods according to the Bible. This went over the Calvary radio. Then bringing Leon Sui, (someone I have known for over 30 years) to teach and lead everyone to sing praise to IO. Sui who is with Kikawa’s ministry (Aloha ke akua) spoke at Calvary Chapel stating IO also the creator of all cultures and peoples (which is not true) that this God was involved in Hawaii from the very beginning of time. Referring to the book of Genesis, he said God gave them their language and gave his name in their language (which is not true). Sui introduces a Maori man’s song, a minister often with YWAM. He then led the people in worship to IO calling him the father of all things, father of heaven. ... the water of life. the creator of life. The maker of all things in all this world.” (Danny Lehmann, Calvary Chapel Komo Mai, 4/06) This was even more disturbing to me (and others) than the interview’s done over radio. That there was actual worship to IO in the church and had people believe the Hawaiians knew God before the missionaries came. So I wrote the pastor of Calvary to inform him and what had happened hoping something would take place to correct this. But instead I became persona non grata. This is what YWAM fully and wholeheartedly endorsed from their president to the leaders to the youth. And this was repugnant to me and others, so I spoke up. it clearly was not rooted or related to the Bible. From this I’m sorry to say I learned what Calvary Chapel is about. Their apologetics is concentrated strictly on cults and is dated. Anything that is ecumenical/interfaith that is infecting the church they care far less about, which happens to be far more of a danger. I took this to others. One Calvary pastor agreed I was right but didn’t care to do anything about it. Another Calvary pastor checked into my research and teachings on this particular matter because he heard my refutes. After a few months of looking deeper into this he came to me agreeing I was right but he also did nothing about it. I paid a dear price for my stand on this matter that clearly sided with the Bible from Old Testament to the New Testament. I’m not saying that all Calvaries are alike, even the ones in the Islands. After speaking to Chuck Smith’s brother I got a sense of the diminished overall condition that has taken place and that he was deeply affected and concerned by it. What I encountered was a compromising with friendships over what is the truth, it is hard to make sense to these men anymore. They do not want to see it for what it is. Exhibiting true Ecumenism YWAM has always been soft on Roman Catholicism, and it is seen in the DTS. Loren Cunningham went to meet the Pope, https://www.ywam.org/blog/2014/12/05/cunninghams-meet-the-pope/. Cunningham stated “Though these leaders represent many different Christian traditions we can all agree that the Bible is God’s Word and as such it needs to take a vibrant place in the life of the reader.” (BTW- all the cults believe the Bible is God’s word). Stating YWAM sought the Pope's blessing “because we’re going to urge every home on earth to have a Bible.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=FPXRk_wlXxE&feature=emb_logo They are fine having unity with Roman Catholicism, they consider it another denomination. However, traditions is the key word as Roman Catholicism teaches their traditions are equal with the Word. The founder of their missionary organization does not see it as significant? https://www.ywam.org/blog/2017/01/09/seeking-christian-unity/ With all evangelical churches and catholic churches Cunningham had started in 1960’s a missions movement that “would welcome Christians of all denominations.” But Roman Catholicism is not another denomination. Nonetheless there are numerous Roman Catholic youths working for YWAM. The Broad Road of acceptance is being used, as converting Catholics is not a main objective. True Ecumenism At “Together 2016” Loren Cunningham opened with the Pope addressing the gathered audience. YWAM has an international branch called Kerygma that works with a special focus on the Catholic world. http://kteams.org/ Members of these “KTeams” are from various church traditions. YWAM does not take a stand on distinctive doctrines of any church, including the Catholic Church. So we don't have a unique "Kerygma doctrinal statement". The goal in Kerygma is to allow “Catholics to participate in YWAM’s calling, and at the same time have these Catholics remain rooted in their church and be free to express their Catholic faith” (http://www.kteams.org/ In a question can Catholics join YWAM base or ministry? That would be the ideal and what we would love to see happen. Indeed it is beginning in some YWAM locations. Nevertheless, Protestants working side-by-side with Catholics in evangelisation and missions, is still fairly new for many of our international staff.” In answering about students converting to be catholic. “No we don't convert/proselytize other Christians to become Catholic or vice-versa! We have had staff and ex-students who have decided to become Catholic during or after their time with us. We've also had Catholics who've decided to join another church, during or after their time with us. In each case, it was their personal choice and not because of any pressure or persuasion from us.” This is an example of YWAM calling themselves interdenominational, as they are not evangelizing Catholics but working with them even to build the Catholic Church in some areas. In fact on their USA website Bridges of Unity Connecting the Body of Christ to Proclaim the Gospel to the Nations.”If they can be united with Roman Catholicism they can have unity with any other they call “a denomination.” For those who try to avoid this ecumenism of our day this must include this or any missionary organization that openly promotes it. Christians gave their lives to break from the Roman Catholic Church. This is why they were called Protestants. They separated from all the error they saw in this organization. YWAM has progressively made their alliances even deeper and more clear having unity with some of the worst false teachers of our era. Loren Cunningham had endorsed the Alpha Course which has been directly connected to the “Toronto blessing” "Alpha is a soul winning, discipling, multiplying, spiritually dynamic ministry that has already touched the lives of thousands. I believe this vision will continue to expand and truly become an international blessing." Understanding Loren Cunningham’s point of view Q: Loren, you know in Deuteronomy 28 it talks about us being the "head", not the "tail", and then in Matthew when Jesus prayed to bring "heaven on earth"; what has prevented us from moving over society at that level in these seven spheres and do you think that the focus of the evangelical church of the gospel of salvation vs. the gospel of the kingdom has hindered that at all? In his answer Cunningham responds that Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice, and they follow." And so it's in obedience that we find the true disciples. They're the ones that show up when Jesus tells them to. For example, He said the 500 of His disciples waited, "Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes…" but only 120 obeyed. They were the real disciples. And that's still true to this day. And in Deuteronomy 8 later on he says I'm gonna teach you how to make wealth. And he says in chapter 28, I've got blessings and cursings, and the blessings are wonderful, the cursings are terrible, and if you'll obey Me, these blessings will be yours." And we have seen those blessings. They have come in great, great amounts. In fact, the trillions of dollars that flow through the control of Christians every year is a part of that. But the problem is the obedience. When you arrive at that place, do you obey what God has told you to do? Or do you heap it upon yourself? Or do you obey God into the kingdom? He said to pray this prayer: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth." When? That's now! Where? That's around us, "as it is in heaven." And so the kingdom coming, where is the kingdom? Jesus says in Luke; it's in your heart, it's within you. Whenever Jesus is on the throne of your heart, the kingdom has come. And when you go into a sphere, the kingdom has come into that sphere. But, if you go into that sphere obeying Jesus, you're going to change that sphere.” “It's not just the pulpit on Sunday, that's one of the spheres. It's also all the other spheres together, and that's how we achieve advancing the kingdom of God.” (Transcript of Interview of Loren Cunningham on Original 7 Mountains Vision "Interview with Loren Cunningham Founder, Youth With a Mission (YWAM) "7 Spheres" with Os Hillman and Kelle Hughes in Atlanta November 19, 2007 https://elijahscryinternational.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html Full transcript is posted at https://churchwatchcentral.com/2017/03/05/the-7-spheres-exposing-the-nars-false-commission/) Ed. note: Jesus did not pray to bring heaven on earth as the interviewer says, and there are not two gospels, salvation- kingdom) This kind of teaching is not based on the text. Cunningham has brought incorrect reading on Scripture as his example of making his point on obedience. Paul lists the sequence of appearances 1 Cor. 15:5-7 “He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.’ The 500 mentioned in 1 Cor. 15:5-6 are not connected to those who were told to wait in Jerusalem. This 500 “at once” is related to Luke’s general recall of appearances of Christ found in Acts 1:3 “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days.” We are told in Matt. 28:16 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” Mk. 16:14 mentions the 11 again. Note in Lk.24:33-35 After meeting the two disciples on the Emmaus Rd. they invite Jesus at evening to sit at their table and broke bread (v.30). He then vanishes and they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together.” saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (Luke 24:33-35) These are a few others, as they were hiding out not knowing about his resurrection yet. It is not 500 he told. The point is who he spoke the command to go to Jerusalem and wait, it was directly to the 11 disciples. Then in Luke 24:49 he then tells them “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you. to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." This is the last time they see Jesus. The fact is when Jesus said to Acts 1:4 not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father.” He mentions who they are v.12, 11 disciples, and they watched him being taken up to heaven. The disciples waited ten days from his ascension, staying in Jerusalem as he instructed in the upper room until the holy Spirit came. In between this time there were the 120 gathered there as the 12th disciple was replaced (Acts 1:15-26) Acts 1:4-9 “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; …v. 8-9 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Matt 28:16-20 mentions 11 disciples when this was said and Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table.V.19-20 “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” It is those who were at his last appearance that watched him ascend. We read in Acts 1:12-15 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty). Cunningham saying that Jesus said Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes to 500 of His disciples …" but only 120 obeyed. They were the real disciples. And that's still true to this day.” underline mine We find that120 in the room is actually more than what this command was said to (not less). This is basic Bible teaching that anyone who teaches of these string of events should know. His bad interpretation is all about his wrong application of obedience that he applies to today also. What we get from this their underlining obedience factor. I can only assume from someone who gone to all the nations and spoken of the gospel that this is purposely spoken of incorrectly to make his point on obedience which is very important in the YWAM government (please read the full transcript as there is so much more to this answer). Furthermore the blessings and cursing’s mentioned are part of the Mosaic covenant that was conditional to Israel, we are not under that covenant given to Israel. In this manner we pray Matt. 6:10 your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.v.13 For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Many made the mistake of Jesus’ first coming being the fulfillment the kingdom. Luke 19:11: “they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” Which would be the case if it meant that it was inside believers as he says. Cunningham also shows us that his concept of advancing the kingdom is taking control of the worlds spheres today. He neglects making a distinction of the Spiritual kingdom in our heart (Rom.14:17) because of the indwelling of God’s Spirit and the kingdom of God that Jesus brings when He returns and He rules over the nations and establishes his governmental rule (which is where most of the Scriptures of the Old Testament that have not been fulfilled are focused on). Jesus spoke of the future kingdom Luke 21:31: “when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 22:18) again giving it a future fulfillment, Scriptures for the future (1 Cor. 6:9; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5). We are still to pray for his kingdom to come, not think it has arrived by being in our heart already. His statements do reveal a kingdom now teaching.
The Unbiblical Openness of YWAM p.3 The numerous influences and connections to the NAR While some have a good experience (determined on how you react and comply) others are damaged. https://culteducation.com/group/1245-youth-with-a-mission/22517-ywam-is-dangerousi-spent-12-yearsunder-the-influence.html https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/my-experience-in-ywam https://medium.com/@failedmissionary/is-ywam-a-cult-4ee763f74eb2
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