YWAM Sydney was pioneered by Dean Sherman in 1968. After several years of fruitful ministry in the eastern suburbs Dean returned to America and the ministry closed down in 1974. In 1983 a team led by Brent and Kathy Williams established a YWAM ministry in Ryde concentrating on High School ministry, mobilising people for short-term missions and training. By 1993 the ministry had grown to include ministry houses in Manly, Cabramatta, Mt Druitt and Hurstville.
During that year the leased facilities used as a training campus were redeveloped and the ‘centre’ had to relocate. Land was acquired in West Sydney and the relocation was made.
Some very difficult years followed and most of the ministry houses finished their activities. The ‘Centre’ in West Sydney underwent several appraisals whilst ministry continued. At the same time Korean ministries commenced to serve the Korean community in Australia and run Korean languages DTS.
With the successful bid for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, YWAM Sydney flourished. On top of this YWAM Australia instigated a major project called ‘Australia 2000 Gateway to the Nations’. This was a two year project that involved YWAM nationally and internationally sending teams into Sydney, from there into Australia, and from there into the Asia Pacific region.
At that time, YWAM Sydney grew into eight locations and staff numbers grew as a major emphasis of prayer outreach saturated the city. YWAM Sydney Hills was one of the new locations. After the Olympics and at the completion of the Australia 2000 project, and over the following years, the number of bases settled to three locations – Sydney Hills, Island Breeze West Sydney and Sydney 318 Korean Ministries. There is also a YWAM presence in the Northern Beaches area.
What Others Say About Us
“I consider them [YWAM] to be the most effective mission organization.”
Dr. Jim Engel, Center for Organizational Excellence
“I am a big believer in the roaring lamb’s philosophy of showing our faith through our actions, not just our words. That’s what I admire about YWAM–they take this philosophy worldwide!”
Michael W. Smith, musician
“Loren Cunningham has been one of the most adventuresome visionaries of our time. What he has accomplished staggers the imagination. God gave him a dream and he lived it out–very few of us do that. Wherever I go I seem to run into people who have been discipled into radical discipleship by YWAM. Those who have been a part of their program prove to be a great gift to churches around the world. Their spirituality, their ability to witness, and their commitment to take seriously the teachings of Christ have impacted Christendom. I can safely say that YWAM is one of the most important and effective movements in Christendom today.”
Dr. Tony Campolo, Professor of Sociology, Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania
“Whenever I’m travelling and speaking internationally and meet high-committed, servant-oriented Christian leaders, I think to myself, ‘Another YWAMer!’ I’m rarely mistaken. I am so grateful for the work of YWAM and for the intensity with which you do it.”
Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church
