YWAM Support Raising Word

The last few months I have heard about a word from the Lord that was given to YWAM. Even though I have heard this second hand three or four times from established YWAM leaders, does not mean that I have the facts correctly. The word from the Lord was simply that YWAM had crossed the Jordan and was entering the promised land.

This language obviously is referring to the Biblical account of when the Israelites crossed the Jordan river to enter into the promised land after being delivered from Egypt and traveling in the desert for 40 years.

To whatever degree this word is true or accurate, for these purposes doesn't really matter, I would simply like to take the analogy and make an observation regarding that Bible story and how it could apply to those in YWAM who are raising support.

Shortly after the Israelites were in the promised land, they celebrated the passover, and then it says in the fifth chapter of Joshua:

"And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year."

This was a HUGE paradigm shift for God's people. For 40 years they had eaten manna that they collected, and now in regards to food, cooking, and in so many ways things overnight DRASTICALLY changed. Culturally it must have rocked the boat in a major way.

From my vantage point understanding YWAM's unofficial perspective and way of operations has been the "George Mueller*" approach to support raising. I will liken this to the manna. There is nothing wrong with it, and Mueller was an incredible man of God that we can learn much from. Having said that, this method of fundraising is no more "spiritual" than other methods. The important thing is to hear and obey God.

In this prophetic word for YWAM, could there be instruction that the way in which YWAM has done support raising will now drastically change as it enters the promised land?

We all need to be careful of spiritual pride. Personally, I love the "George Mueller" type stories of God bringing incredible deliverance when no man knew the need. But have we so exalted these type of support provisions that we deem it more spiritual or holy? Are we hiding behind spiritual pride, possible coupled with laziness or fear, that hinders us from working hard at support raising and ASKING for support - which from my point a view a more Biblical method anyway?

Like the Isrealites, God's hand has been mightily upon YWAM through the years. Truly as one of Gods' "tribes" we are a blessed people and community. If God is saying something to you as a YWAMer through this "Jordan crossing season," simply be open to a whole new way of food collection and "cooking!"

Your brother and fellow YWAMer,

Curt

*George Mueller would pray and not ask or let the ministy needs be known. George Mueller from Wikipedia: "George Müller (September 27, 1805 – March 10, 1898), a Christian evangelist and coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England, cared for 10,024 orphans in his life."