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What is Wrong With YWAM? (Youth With A Mission) Evangelism or Ecumenism - You Decide
People who desire to go to the mission field (short or long) should be commended; and preparation for such trips is key. It is vital to learn needed missionary skills. Youth with a Mission (YWAM) began by a literal vision, with the intent to train young Christians for short-term volunteer service in evangelism. Today, YWAM has 16,000 full-time volunteer workers and trains 25,000 short-term workers annually, operating in 180 countries, with over 1000 training centers. YWAM volunteers are active in working and helping people in physical ways by feeding and meeting the needs of those who experience the human disasters that often occur these days. These are not the efforts that concern us. Our concerns lie with YWAM teachings and associations with which they participate. And there is lot to be concerned about! One must understand that YWAM presents itself as a missionary organization, but, sadly, it is also an ecumenical organization. And the most dangerous kind of ecumenism the church has ever seen is being promoted in YWAM by top leaders. An article titled "YWAM Builds Bridges to Catholics" (August 1993 issue of Charisma) makes it clear that YWAM) works with Catholics. "Beginning in 1978, YWAM workers in Austria began to cooperate with Catholics there .... In 1984, YWAM adopted a policy allowing staff to work with Catholics ....1987 YWAM has installed a Catholic, Rob Clarke, as director of its discipleship training school in Dublin” .... Clarke has said: “We are trying to get away from the idea of simply 'converting' Catholics -- that is turning them into Protestants -- and towards a framework of ministry within the Catholic Church.” Charisma magazine reported that Al Akimoff, YWAM director for Slavic Ministries, said: "YWAM's missions are not aiming to lure Catholics out of their churches ... our philosophy is not to tear down but to build on what's there." YWAM will work with anyone to help their goals to be met. (see their own statement of working with the pope accessed:11.16.13) This policy has continued today in ways not imaginable then. Catholic charismatics are welcomed and work in YWAM as do a variety of others that equally hold to unbiblical teaching.Loren Cunningham is the founder and president of YWAM. At the University of the Nations (U of N), YWAM's global university whose headquarters is in Hawaii, a variety of teachers come from all over the world and teach for a week and leave. They offer modular courses without accreditation in the United States. Coupled with YWAM’s ecumenism is cultic tendencies of some leaders, which have been pointed out through numerous complaints received. People throughout different countries have seen the same things in YWAM training. Stories by ex-members of YWAM are numerous so this is not an occasional problem nor isolated. Many have spoken up on the authoritarian leadership, where intimidation and shaming can be used, and I have seen it personally. I have come across enough people who come home after being on the YWAM mission field who were worn out and ruined when it comes to being in ministry. Many are concerned that so much wrong finds its resting place there. Because of its structure, there is little protection from false doctrine for the young people who join YWAM. There are regional directors but no main overseeing of each of their bases. These directors can be in error, and it will be passed on unchallenged. Because of children’s naïveté, parents need to watch carefully what their children are being taught and the changes that occur in their personalities and faith. YWAM is known for its theological diversity, and each base may vary as to what it believes. However, there are certain teachings and methods that are consistently taught throughout. They pride themselves on being creative and implementing the newest ways to reach the different cultures. So what is there to be concerned with? False spiritual warfare by George Otis Jr. taught to young adults The Sentinel Group is led by George Otis, Jr., an apostle in Wagner/ Pierces NAR (New Apostolic Reformation). Otis Jr. promotes a latter rain message in his spiritual warfare videos, the same found in the teaching of the new prophetic and apostolic movements. It is important to know what some of these men believe when it comes to the gospel, Jesus Christ, and the last days. In Otis’ Jr.’s book “The God They Never Knew,” sin is a sickness false concept; he speaks against sin present in mankind as our nature. “Thus we concur that though a sinful nature is present, it originates by choice.” So we make ourselves sinners. “The assertion that Jesus paid for our sins has caused immeasurable damage to the Body of Christ.” (p. 93) “Jesus literally purchased our salvation with His blood, it not only portrays God as vindictive and bloodthirsty and totally incompatible with biblical forgiveness” (p.109). George Otis Jr. lectured on this, called Moral Government Theology at the Youth With A Mission base in Tacoma, Washington, 1981.To read more, see the review of the Transformation video http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain66.htmOtis Jr. researched and published a book called Strongholds of the 10/40 Window through YWAM Publishing: “served as a guide for targeting prayers. When we began we wondered if we might be able to help 1 million Christians to pray in one accord for the same nation on the same day during the month. However, when we finished, we found that 21 million had joined to fight the air war with powerful prayer!"("Praying Through The 10/40 Window IV: A Message from Peter Wagner" http://www.ad2000.org/ptw4wag.htm 07/21/99). Now we find George Otis Jr. involved with the NAR of Peter Wagner who invented the New apostolic reformation, restoring prophets and apostles in the church.There has been a long time symbiotic relationship between the apostolic/ prophet movement of Wagner and YWAM. And this is a major problem. John Dawson was formerly the International Director for Urban Ministries of YWAM (he later became president of YWAM). His Gnostic "spiritual warfare" concepts were adopted in the New Apostolic program of Peter Wagner; "strategic-level spiritual warfare movement.” In his book Taking Our Cities for God: How to Break Spiritual Strongholds (Creation House:1989) and Defeating Territorial Spirits” Dawson claims, "battles against evil spiritual forces controlling our cities can be waged and won.” Wagner attributes his understanding of spiritual warfare to Dawson. In fact, they wrote a book together in 2012 “Territorial Spirits: Practical Strategies for How to Crush the Enemy through Spiritual Warfare.”Wagner has a long time relationship with Dawson since he taught at Fuller, "Fortunately, we now have a textbook on the subject, namely John Dawson's remarkable book, Healing America's Wounds” “I require my students at Fuller Theological Seminary to read Healing America's Wounds and I invite John Dawson himself to come in and help me teach my classes.” (The Power to Heal the Past, C. Peter Wagner, http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/journal8/8d-wagnr.htmlSee- http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain33.htmIn fact, when it comes to spiritual warfare or certain other certain practices, one has a hard time distinguishing YWAM from the New Apostolic / prophetic movement as they both are involved with each other. C. Peter Wagner was on the YWAM "Board of Reference" for the 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus and for the 30 Days Hindu Prayer Focus. ( http://www.ywam.org/prayer/board.html)Peter Wagner, in National School of the Prophets conference on Friday May 12, 2000 11:00 am session, introduces Bickle saying, “God called Mike Bickle to turn over his church in Kansas City to Floyd McClung Jr., who you might know from YWAM (former International Executive Director), because he felt God calling him to start a prayer unit, a prayer house for the whole city of Kansas City, not just for one church, called The International House of Prayer, which for short means the Kansas City IHOP. Bickle’s books are a favorite read in YWAM. Bickle claims that God is restoring contemplative prayer to the church, that this is a God ordained means of entering into the fullness of God. ( http://mywordlikefire.com/2011/07/29/mike-bickle-of-ihop-wants-book-about-catholic-mystics-to-be-manual-for-ihop-kc)Bickle was formerly with the Kansas City Prophets who had Paul
Cain as their senior prophet. They came into the Vineyard by invitation of John
Wimber and brought the heretical “latter rain” teachings. Bickle who is now
heading up IHOP has a teaching of Bridal Intimacy is directly linked to
dominionism that was founded in the Latter Rain, the endtime taking of the
nations. Besides Mike Bickle, there are others to be concerned with: Cindy
Jacobs, Otis Jr., Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce and Bill Hamon, all part of the
NAR. There are other connected people endorsed by Bickle: George Otis, Jr., and
John Dawson of YWAM. Rhonda Hughey is the Director of Fusion Ministries, which serves as a gathering, equipping, and mobilizing ministry to connect intercessors to cities that are pursuing revival and transformation. She is described as a city transformation facilitator and prayer strategist based in Kansas City. Rhonda has been involved in the international prayer movement for over 10 years. She has worked with Ed Silvoso as a city transformation missionary for 5 years.
It was reported that Loren Cunningham spoke at the Onething'09 conference joining Mike Bickle and the IHOP–KC leadership team. YWAM director in Hawaii, Danny Lehmann, recently spoke at Calvary Chapel Komo Mai promoting Mike Bickle’s International house of Prayer (9.22.13 pm. service). Bickle is deeply connected to YWAM (see- http://ywammendocino.org/?page_id=702).Consider Mendocino YWAM statements like, “We want the entire Lord’s Land to be soaked in the presence of God” or “We are developing prayer stations along the trail for contemplation, meditation and intercession” as an example of their unbiblical worldview taught from YWAM. They state they are: “experiencing what God is doing in this region and receiving impartation. In 2010, we visited Bethel Church in Redding, The Mission in Vacaville, The Healing Rooms of Spokane, and heard from people like Graham Cooke, Lou Engle, Bill Johnson, Che Ahn, Kris Vallotton and other great speakers. Our 2013 New Wine Tasting Tour included a historic ‘Open Heavens Conference’ at Bethel Church and a YWAM conference in Chico Ca. We’re looking forward to what God has in store for the 2014 Tour.” (Accessed Nov.8, 2013) http://ywammendocino.org/?pagename=DTSThe young impressionable adults who are involved have no idea they are being introduced to some of the worst false teachers in the church today. Loren Cunningham’s vision: “I saw in my mind’s eye young people going out in waves across the continents of the world preaching the gospel.” This may have been the original intent, but this is certainly not what they are doing today with redeeming cultures and an endless stream of non-biblical ideas that change the way to evangelize. The purpose of YWAM training programs is to raise up men and women who will "disciple nations and transform cultures." The spiritual warfare concepts of John Dawson are used to transform cities and nations, which is not about gospel preaching to disciple individuals (as the Scripture actually reads). Transforming cultures is mainstay of their evangelization program. It has been reported that YWAM's founder Loren Cunningham, along with Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, developed a strategy in 1975 for influencing seven main segments or spheres of society and culture; "spheres of influence," such as education, government, arts and entertainment, media and communication, business and commerce, family, and church, which some have seen as the Seven Mountains promoted in the NAR: Family, Church, Business, Government, Education, Arts and Media. A dominionist concept that will only be seen when the Messiah rules over the earth. (good article on the 7 mountains http://unsettledchristianity.com/2008/11/seven-mountains-dr-lance-wallnau/ )When one refers to the Bible, there are also 7 mountains mentioned. This may be their answer to Rev. 17:9: “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Or it may be their participation. http://mkayla.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/finally-found-the-roots-of-the-seven-mountains-mandate/ http://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/06/neo-kuyperian-spheres.html Loren Cunningham on How Christians Can “Take Back World Culture” full transcript http://www.7culturalmountains.org/apps/articles/Default.asp?columnid=4347&articleid=40087 http://www.generals.org/fileadmin/documents/prayer_reformation_network/seven_mountains_of_influence.pdfOne of the main practices is reconciliation repentance through reconciliation walks. YWAM with those from A.D. 2000 & Beyond, organized "A Walk of Reconciliation" in order to "promote better understanding between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. ... They believe in building bridges with Muslims and Jews. These Reconciliation Walks operate by apologizing for the harm done to other people groups, even in former generations. Identificational Repentance proposes that iniquity passes from generation to generation, nations sin are corporately done and only a corporate group confessing that nation’s sins can stop the cycle of hereditary iniquity. The result - God can “heal the land” (2 Chron. 7:14). This is not individual repentance by the preaching of the gospel but repentance on behalf of those who have not repented. Identificational repentance was called for in order to "purge the corporate sin of Christians during the Crusades." The project had the intent to "result in substantial reconciliation between the major monotheistic faiths." The project had the intent to "result in substantial reconciliation between the major monotheistic faiths (Lynn Green, YWAM, Peter Wagner and AD2000 conducted various 'Reconciliation Walks' around the Middle East.) We have NO examples in the Scripture of Reconciliation Walks to apologize to various religious groups for creating peace or bring an openness for the Gospel? Did the Romans apologize to the Jews to heal the land? The Statement of Faith of Youth With A Mission “affirms the Bible as the authoritative word of God,” but they have ignored and gone beyond what the Word specifically teaches on these matters. Throughout the history of YWAM, they have believed and taught numerous practices not found from Scripture. On the DVD Fingerprints of God, we see Daniel Kikawa in Japan apologizing to them which exemplifies the YWAM practice of this non biblical teaching. Kikawa:“We have told you that your culture is not honorable, and not good enough for God. As an American Christian I want to ask you for forgiveness for that. And tell you that God has left so much beauty in your culture. Please, I want to do this, to say please forgive me.” NARRATOR: “As a member of the International Reconciliation Coalition board, Daniel believes that its important to let the Japanese people know that God loves them just the way they are.”Culture is the mainstay object in YWAM and is part of Kikawa’s “universal God theory” where he believes God made everyone’s culture through history. YWAM believes we should redeem the culture. A YWAM training manual states: “Appreciating one’s culture is appreciating the creation of God in a unique and beautiful manner. As disciples of Jesus Christ we are also called to redeem our culture as we grow in God (YWAM, Island Breeze Training, “What is a Discipleship Training”) Island Breeze Training is part of YWAM. Where is this taught in the Bible? On the contrary, the Bible talks about other cultures which followed pagan false gods. What YWAM is teaching is an objective under “dominionist teaching.” Christianize the nations, which is done by demon chasing, spiritual warfare, and Christianizing the culture, i.e. Sanitize the cultures’ former god[s]. John Dawson, who at the time was president of YWAM, commented on the video “Fingerprints of God”: “We would like to use this video as a central part of our missionary work in Japan and to use it as an example for our missionaries around the world, of how to present the gospel to indigenous peoples.” YWAM has always been open to new ideas for mission work before knowing or confirming the validity of these new ideas. Don Richardson and Daniel Kikawa’s teaching of the gods of the nations can be the true God is just one example (Richardson is on Kikawa’s Aloha ke Akua board.) In Kikawa’s book “Perpetuated in Righteousness,” he teaches the cult concept that Jesus is Hindu: “He is the Indian Prajapati, the Supreme God who sacrificed Himself (p.166, Perpetuated in Righteousness). To force Jesus into other religions, which reject Him, is not evangelism - it is inclusivism. Watch how this will develop even further from these men who are already reinterpreting Scripture in this manner. YWAM used new concepts such as Muslims who accept Christ as their Savior (calling them Messianic Muslims), who continue to visit the mosques, say their daily prayers, and read the Koran. This strategy has been tried in several countries and was expanded to other religions as well. Kikawa’s method that has been favored in YWAM is to take the ancient gods of cultures (the supreme gods) and use them as the true god - this is the beginning of redeeming their culture. Aloha ke Akua’s mission statement on their website explains his methodology: This is part of him leaving: “many treasures and worthy traditions within their culture.” ‘The Creator God of the Bible is not a foreign God. He loves indigenous people and has been a part of their history and culture from the beginning.” Again, the Bible does not say this, it actually says the opposite. The Bible says he is a foreign god, but the evangelism tactic, the new methodology they employ removes this. Kikawa’s method that YWAM has accepted is to “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.” This is reviving the ancient gods of the nations, Jesus is now the son of all gods, instead of Him being the Son of David, the God of Israel! This is the inclusivism that YWAM has adopted, and lets be honest, it is Anti - Semitic. This has been taught in Hawaii by the director of Honolulu YWAM for many years and even as recent as this year he has said: “When the missionaries first went into Korea they didn’t know what name to call God, they knew that if they would have went in with the name Jehovah or Yahweh right off the bat, these people in the way they understood these type of things they would have thought they were talking about some Jewish tribal ethnic God that was limited to the Jewish people. So the missionaries tried to find the best AKA also as name for God they could find. They found one but it was very much linked in with a Chinese word for God and it just didn’t seem to go over very well and it was the one the Catholic missionaries had used for years. So as they began to do a little bit more research they found that they were going to take a shot at the name Hananim. If you ask any Korean anywhere in the world right now they’ll tell you God’s name is Hananim. And its the best AKA that they could find for the Jehovah or Yahweh of the Bible. El shaddai, el Elyon theres many names of God in the Bible, they found that this was a good strategy and it ended up being, if you talk to Korean historians about the church of Jesus Christ in Corinth, I mean Korea, it was because of that strategy that God had this incredible move of God in Korea which has now seen tens of millions of people come to Jesus Christ in Koreans that live in Korea as well as the overseas Koreans” (10/7/13 word to the world Danny Lehmann KLHT radio). Lehmann approves them taking the ancient Korean god instead of presenting the Hebrew God. Instead, they used the god of the Koreans to reach the Koreans, not to be confused with the God of Israel (whom the true God identifies himself). Then it was not the Hebrew God to whom they introduced the Koreans. There is so much wrong with this, and we and others have written copious amounts of biblical refutes to this “new” concept. Even unbelieving Koreans call Hananim God, which means their culture has known this as their God. So one is not introducing the god they don’t know but the one they do know. As we can see by this example YWAM allows pragmatism to be the measure of truth instead of the Bible when it suits there agenda. Their pragmatic implementation is political correctness, which is used to not offend; it is compromise in the worst manner.What wrong with the name of God in Hebrew or its
transliteration? The idea of using the former culture’s god is spoken against by
the true God. The God that will save IS foreign to the people. That is why we
send missionaries out to bring the gospel to them! (this concept is being used
in many cultures not limited to Korea) Does the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (tribal ethnic) approve of using a former god’s name transferred to Him? No He does not. He didn’t approve when Israel did it and certainly does not approve when YWAM does this. On top of approving of introducing a false former god, Lehmann also makes a false dichotomy of God having many names. These are describing His attributes, characteristics relating to Him. Lets not forget that Scripture also says God’s name is Jealous, Exod. 34:15 "lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods …” he says not to call Him by another god’s name. This is the mission strategy that YWAM claims is from God, even though it contradicts God’s own Word. This is not based on theology but confusion, trying to please men, make the message acceptable when the basis for the gospel is that it is an offense (1 Cor.1, 2). This way of PC evangelizing is watered down to the max.(consider the very scripture they use for reconciliation 2 Chron. 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name” not other gods names) How this method can be endorsed should disturb anyone who loves the word, but YWAM goes further and promotes this as a valid message to evangelize. Giving them the same god they knew before they were apparently introduced to the true God is not evangelism. Clearly, a culture that does not know god but has a god, this god can’t be the same God you come to know through the gospel. This is no longer evangelism when one uses a former god of a culture for the true God, for they did not know God until the gospel comes to them. Which means their god is not God (as Io used in Hawaii). We are to proclaim Jesus, not a culture’s god[s]. So whether its Korea, China, Japan, it does not matter. The word emphasizes the Gentiles did not know God. If they are using the god of their nation (before they knew the true God), then they are perpetuating it. This is not just a local YWAM problem though Hawaii has been the origin of it. When an organization uses these other gods instead of the Bible’s God, they forfeit being a true missionary organization. This is a passive gospel that can be reshaped into any culture’s god. Knowing him comes by the gospel but if you have another god IN the gospel then this is no longer evangelism but cultural syncretism (i.e., inclusivism). We should not call on God by another former God’s name and expect him to approve. It is the nations that have the foreign god[s] and false gods. Consider Acts 9:15 when Jesus chose Paul he commissioned him “to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” Or when Jesus said in John 14:13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Do we say the names of other gods as his name? This compounded with all the other teaching errors that have entered YWAM makes it an insecure place for children and young adults to learn. This is far more serious error than the others that have come along. My personal experience with YWAM False teaching and false teachers are not resisted by YWAM. Joy Dawson of YWAM has long been a supporter of Benny Hinn and appeared on his program a number of times over the years. Joy Dawson stood on stage with Hinn in his 2002 crusade with Hinn promising that YWAM would work with Him to evangelize the youth of the islands. Hinrich Kranzlin, former director of YWAM Oceania at the time, indicated that he has only minor problems with Hinn, but no real major problems with YWAM working with Hinn, and considers Hinn to be a good evangelist. (YWAM also helped organize the ecumenical World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People in Hawaii in October of 2002). I was at Hinn’s crusade when Joy Dawson was on stage with Hinn announcing that they would work together. Shortly after this, Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM, invited Benny Hinn to the Big Island at the main YWAM training base “Christ for the Nations,” where Hinn filmed his TV program. In the first hour of the week-long series, Hinn thanked Loren for YWAM’s influence on him as a young man. He said that many years ago he made his first public profession of faith at a service that Loren led, and later spent two weeks in a prayer retreat at the Lausanne, Switzerland, base (p.8, ONline Spring 2002). In their discussion, Hinn said, “I believe God has put us together for a divine purpose.” Cunningham responded, “Let’s do it.” Hinn then said, “Let’s, because I believe God would use this divine connection to bring disciples in. Because your organization is strong in discipleship, I will tell you, precious saints, more on what we are going to do together. Because they have materials that we can supply you that you can be disciples in the things of the spirit” He reached out and shook Cunningham’s hand, and Hinn gave YWAM’s phone number and web address. So now, it was not just Joy Dawson but Loren Cunningham uniting for ministry work. I was deeply concerned about this because the Calvary Chapels here in the Islands (that I attended) are friendly to YWAM. The director, Danny Lehmann, has a radio program on the Calvary Chapel station and teaches regularly at their churches. I brought this to the attention of the pastor whose church I attended at the time (Bill Stonebraker, who is the head of the Calvary Chapels in Hawaii). He was not a fan of Benny Hinn, and I voiced my concerns, as we had a YWAM leader as a pastor in his church who is known to be soft on Benny Hinn as well as others. We had a meeting, in which Danny Lehmann (the leader of YWAM) attended (today Lehmann is the Evangelism Representative of YWAM International and Dean of the College of Christian Ministries in the University of the Nations). Lehmann basically belittled me and dismissed my points (as he has been known to do to anyone who might go against what he or his organization is doing). He defended YWAM, stating unequivocally that it has nothing to do with Hinn, in which I then explained the details I heard at the crusade and what was on TV. I wondered why Pastor Stonebraker was not asking further questions as even the short explanation I gave was evidence that YWAM is FULLY involved. Lehmann used this as a wedge, making this as a personal attack on him, when it really exhibited a personal attack on me. All I have ever said to Stonebraker was the truth; and he endorsed my ministry; I had a radio program on the Calvary Chapel station for eight years. Yet as Danny Lehmann denounced me in no uncertain terms, the pastor I once knew who always stood against what was false sat there incredulous to what I said. Here I was presenting a blatantly clear example of Joy Dawson and Loren Cunningham of YWAM uniting with Benny Hinn, and nothing was being said? Lehmann responded that she has NOTHING to do with YWAM. My response was that Cunningham attributes her as a major influence in YWAM. This was emphatically denied by Lehmann pastor Stonebraker believed him; the evidence says otherwise and Lehmann knows it. [See my article written in 2002 http://www.letusreason.org/Curren29.htm where I state at the end, “YWAM needs to get back to the basics and return to what they once had done.” Unfortunately, they have continued on the ecumenical course they are on, and it has become quite serious.Does Joy Dawson have anything to do with YWAM? YES! Founder Loren Cunningham recognizes her as a cornerstone of the organization. “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 teaching in our first YWAM schools in Switzerland in the early 1970s laid the foundations for the whole of the mission. Our nearby neighbor from L’Abri, Dr. Francis Schaeffer challenged us: did we have a Biblical Christian worldview? If so, then our beliefs must include the foundation that our God is personal and He longs to communicate with the personal beings He created--us! Hearing his voice, listening to Him and obeying what He said needs to be a way of life. Joy Dawson was another gifted teacher God brought to us in those early, foundational days. ( http://www.ywam.org/articles/article.asp?AID=275) There are many more quotes that can be used to illustrate the connection between Joy Dawson and YWAM.YWAM founder Loren Cunningham said after Joy's message on Sept. 1, 2000: "This IS the foundation for our next 40 years, there's no question in my mind." But she has nothing to do with YWAM, says YWAM director Lehmann. I’m explaining these things to show that YWAM will deny their associations by cooperation. I cannot help but wonder if this denial is one of the ways to stay in good relationship with the churches they want to work in. In the case i just mentioned, it indeed was. John Dawson became the president of YWAM and is on the board of Daniel Kikawa's organization, Aloha Ke Akua, and he fully endorses Kikawa’s dangerous mythology presented in his book “Perpetuated in Righteousness.” Because of this acceptance, Kikawa was able to teach a false history of Hawaii to YWAM bases in Hawaii and elsewhere. Kikawa invented a theory, springboarding off Don Richardsons concepts of where the ancient gods are supreme and the same as the Bible’s God: “Christians should cease representing Jesus as the Son of the foreign God of a foreign people, especially if these foreigners had never shown concern for or had any involvement in the lives or culture of the natives. We should instead introduce Jesus as the Son of their creator God.” (Daniel Kikawa, Perpetuated in Righteousness, p.27) Kikawa’s unbiblical basis for this theory purposely ignores Gal. 4:8; 1 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 3:1;Rom. 1:28; 1 Thess. 4:5; Ephesians 2:12-13 stating the Gentiles and the nations did NOT KNOW GOD. In fact, everyone who promotes this unbiblical way to introduce the god of their culture never addresses what the Bible says - the Gentiles did not know God. John Dawson of YWAM said this approval about Kikawa’s book: “Marvelous!…This is what we need for every people group. If only [they} had the clear picture of the Lord’s redemptive destiny that the Hawaiians now possess.” “Daniel Kikawa and the Hawaiian’s are showing us the way.” “Daniel Kikawa’s memorable first book - Perpetuated in Righteousness - enabled us to behold early Hawaiian history as with new eyes.” At the end of Kikawa's video, “ God's Fingerprints in Japan,” Dawson gives a glowing endorsement of what Kikawa is teaching. On the back cover of the DVD, Dawson's endorsement states, “After seeking to communicate to Japanese people their beauty for so many years. I know that we have the key to open the correct door.” (See review on the video http://www.letusreason.org/ecumen8.htm)(I thought the gospel was the key to evangelize the nations given to us by Jesus - now we have a new key from YWAM, Kikawa?) Posted on the Aloha ke Akua website, John Dawson further comments, “…We would like to use this video as a central part of our missionary work in Japan and to use it as an example for our missionaries around the world, of how to present the gospel to indigenous peoples." Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, also said, “thank you for your in depth research that that is giving us keys that I believe will help us teach modern day youth in Japan.” For the sake of the Gospel, these things must be known. For YWAM to be involved in this is more than negligent - it is inexcusable and shows a lack of education and discernment in their own organization. It also illustrates that they adopt new trends without ever verifying the veracity of the sources (see the series of articles on the primary resources proving that Kikawa distorts history.) The first commandment to Moses for Israel was to have no other Gods before Him. Are Allah, Shang ti, Hananim, Io etc. the same as the Bible’s God?Should children and young adults become part of this experimentation with YWAM’s new evangelization methods? Why send young people to YWAM only to have them exposed to things that could ruin everything their parents have brought them up to believe? Why entrust them to those who have no discrimination of teachings and who do not exercise discernment? This is not wisdom. Afterword: To read what is taking place with those who formerly went through DTS and were involved: http://longehawaii.blogspot.com/2007/03/cult-of-ywam-honolulu.html http://www.seanp64.blogspot.com/#! http://chasingtruth.wordpress.com/http://www.thornstreetchronicles.com/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sKROuCl4J47zEJUDhslRJC1FJ611_MvI25Qf2bSHFUI/preview?pli=1One blogger wants to help and see the problems corrected. However, this has gone on far too long, ( http://exywam.blogspot.com/2010/03/keep-ywam-on-radar.html) and the comments by people who are aware are quite revealing. Those who excuse the wrong use the age-old excuse - but they do some good too. While we know that not every YWAM leader is bad, what is happening in YWAM is like a runaway train that cannot be stopped.
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