In the midst of unprecedented uncertainty: the housing crisis, gasoline prices, politics, and catastrophic world events, we are not to fear nor be traumatized. It is God we are to fear. Let Him be our fear, let Him be our dread, and He will become our sanctuary. In Genesis, after Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they later came to him for food. He told them, “What you meant for evil, God has turned for good.” America is in a pivotal battle between the values our nation was established upon and the theory of relativism and humanism. The way we think and the laws of how we operate are at risk. That looks very alarming and it is alarming.

Jan and Brady Simmons have four children – two natural and two adopted. “We adopted Anna when she was four-and-a-half from the streets of the Montrose area in Houston where she lived with her homeless mom,” Jan said. They adopted Levy, Anna’s half brother, born prematurely with drugs in his system, three-and-a-half years ago.

Jan continued, “There was no hesitation for us to take Anna (nine) and Levy (three) back on the streets.” She and Brady, who have regularly taken children’s outreaches to Houston, both agreed it was not God’s desire to shield Anna from the truth about her life on the streets, but instead to help her process it in the context of the safety and security of His love. “God has walked us through step by step,” Jan explained. “When we first went to Street Church in Houston, Levy was too young to understand but Anna was terrified and kept holding me. I was able to tell her, “Yes, this is a scary place. And yes, this is a bad place to live, but you do not have to live here any more.” After several trips Anna began to feel safe.

In the last few years, a major theme has come into prominence among much of the body of Christ. Whether referred to as the Seven Spheres of Influence, the Seven Mountains of world culture, or variations of these titles, the common thread is that there are seven primary aspects of society through which a culture is influenced and shaped. These seven areas are the family, business and economics, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, and government.

While these ideas are not new to many people, there are nevertheless some questions emerging as this paradigm unfolds. It seems that one of the most frequently asked is, “How do I know to which sphere I am called?” In answering these questions, as always the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Romans 11:29 we learn that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In other words, there is an important, unchanging aspect of your life’s assignment for which God has both gifted you and called you, and He doesn’t revoke it or keep changing it along the way. The circumstances in which you fulfill your calling or the vehicle through which you express it may change many times, but the calling itself remains constant.

“Mr. Cunningham, you’re as pretty as a princess,” said three-year-old Brianna, during the video shown at the Thanksgiving Love Feast for Loren and Darlene. The preschool children stole the show with their heartfelt greetings to the Cunninghams. Dancers, along with Radiant Kids, the children’s ministry of YWAM Tyler, raised flags from around the world as they sang “We Speak to Nations.”

Right now there are approximately 3 billion people in the world who don't have Bibles. Of these 3 billion people, 2 billion belong to oral cultures. There are approximately 2,700 people groups on the planet that do not even have a written language.

YWAM, in partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and TWR, is doing something to change this. The partnership is called OneStory and the goal is to get sets of oral Bible stories translated into the languages of these unreached oral people groups. We are hard at work making sure that everyone has the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

If you would like more information on the OneStory Partnership, click here.

Bob Franke
Born October 17, 1948
Passed Away June 3, 2010

On June 3rd, 2010, a beloved member of our YWAM Tyler family went to be with the Lord. Bob Franke died after a short but courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind him a legacy that will endure for years to come.

Bob played a pivotal role on our maintenance crew, taking care of all manner of projects on the base. He was a larger-than-life character with a larger-than-life testimony, and his personality was one that attracted pretty much everyone. Decked out in his favourite work attire of shorts and sandals, he could be seen on a daily basis driving his white truck around the base, always waving at anyone he met. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him; indeed, many’s the time he was called upon to help some damsel in distress who had discovered a six-foot snake in her yard. Perhaps one of the funny things we will miss most is Bob’s trademark whoop of delight every time a Canadian was introduced at Family Night.

One of Bob’s passions was to raise up young people, especially those who had not had much of a chance in life. Bob was a champion of the underdog and took under his wing those whom no one else would. His vision was to run a Missions Trade School, teaching a multitude of trades to young people, taking them on outreach to do something constructive (literally), and seeing them empowered to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. The first of these schools was just held in 2008, but it is our hope that Bob’s vision will be built upon and that the leadership mantle can be passed on.

YWAM Tyler is all the poorer for Bob’s passing, but heaven is a richer place, having gained a saint who touched innumerable lives with God’s love. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He was also a friend to each one of us here. More than that, he was, and remains, a friend of God.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, sons and daughter, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren whom we all know and love. May you know the peace of God, which passes all understanding, in the days ahead.

Things are busy here around the YWAM Tyler campus. Our summer missions program for teenagers called SST is in full swing. Saturday we sent our SST A students off on their field assignment to Houston. Our second year SST students, who have been participating in the SST Phase 2 program, also left for their outreach to Chicago.

Our Urban DTS is a few weeks into their outreach and are currently ministering in the city of Washington, D.C. We have three School of Evangelism teams that are leaving for their foreign outreaches today. They will be ministering in the nations of Romania, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

Today is also the start of a new round of training schools on our Twin Oaks campus. We just started another Discipleship Training School and another School of Evangelism.

Next Sunday, SST B will begin. These teenagers will be on our campus for one week and then will head to Houston for their field assignment.

Please be in prayer for us as we seek to disciple a generation to take the Good News of God's kingdom to every nation and to influence every sphere of society for His glory.

Kurt and Logan are full-time missionaries who serve at YWAM Tyler's Twin Oaks campus. They have both completed YWAM's Discipleship Training School and School of Evangelism. Logan has also completed the School of the Bible.

While being on staff with YWAM, they have served in many different capacities and ministered in 9 countries spanning 5 continents. Both of them served on a mobile evangelism team that traveled throughout the United States and Canada to present the Gospel using a dramatic stage production. They worked with churches, youth groups, community centers, and college ministries to reach this generation with the power of the Gospel. They have also been a part of YWAM's training programs and have hands on experience discipling the next generation of Christian leaders.

Currently, Logan is an assistant to one of the DTS/SOE school leaders on our training campus. Her day to day responsibilities include one-on-one discipleship with the students, overseeing class and ministry times, planning and leading small groups and intercession groups, and planning and leading stateside and local outreaches.

Kurt is a man of many trades. He maintains the website for YWAM Tyler and various other ministries that are a part of YWAM Tyler. He works with many of the training schools that happen on the Twin Oaks campus. In the last year, he has worked with three Discipleship Training schools, two Schools of evangelism, one Crossroads Korean Bilingual Discipleship Training School and a School of Worship. In these schools he lead small groups, taught and lead worship and intercession times.

Kurt also leads the 24-7 Pumphouse ministry of YWAM Tyler. The 24-7 Pumphouse holds daily times of worship and prayer to help cultivate a culture of revival for our students and staff. He works along side many of the training school programs to help facilitate times in the prayer room. He also teaches in many of our schools on intercession, the New Testament priesthood, the end-time role of the praying church and other issues related to what the Holy Spirit is doing in this generation.

Kurt and Logan have a passion to see young people released and empowered into their destinies as sons and daughters of the King. You can find out more about them at their personal website.

It’s probably the closest thing I’ve experienced to a war zone, says Sharon Ambler, a staff member of Youth With A Mission, Tyler. Sharon, who is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, had lived in Haiti with her husband for seven years. She returned to the nation as part of a MercyWorks first response team, arriving only six days after the horrific earthquake devastated Haiti.

Soon after the earthquake, a group of Dominican pastors backed by Youth With A Mission set up a clinic in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Sharon says, “The best way to describe what we saw when we first reached the clinic, was controlled chaos. A few people overrun with tons of patients needing medical attention. When we got there with more medical staff and supplies they were thrilled.”

The clinic was housed in what used to be the National Police Headquarters, directly opposite the National Palace. Much of the building was destroyed when the earthquake hit, leaving just a few rooms. Paint was peeling off the walls and the team used what had been the police chief’s desk as a surgical table, while medical supplies were kept under a tarpaulin outside. However, as Sharon says, “It was a strategic place for the clinic to be located, as all the people were living right outside in a tent city.”

In 1950, only 29% of the world was living in cities. Today over 50% of the world lives in cities, creating the first urban generation in history. At the current rate, the world will be 90% urban by the end of the century. North America has led the world in urbanization over the last 50 years, from 64% of its population living in cities in 1950 to an estimated 82% today. As significant as this is, it is dwarfed by the rate of urbanization taking place today in countries like China, India, and throughout the continent of Africa. The global rate of urbanization is twice that of global population growth, while in Asia it is occurring at three times the rate of its annual population growth. The human story has taken a remarkable shift away from a rural way of life to urban realities and is continuing at a phenomenal rate.

Over the last 17 years of talking to people on the streets of Chicago, I have observed some common trends of spiritual struggle as well as an increasing loss of faith in the institution of the Church. I believe it would be a mistake to conclude that this urban-connected generation lacks spirituality or the desire to commit to God. In actuality, I have experienced an increasing spiritual hunger and passion among believers and non-believers alike. I would like to suggest that an urban worldview has emerged that is influencing how this generation views God and processes truth in general.

Breaking News

YWAM Tyler's Response to Haitian Earthquake

YWAM Tyler’s MercyWorks is responding to the worst earthquake to strike Haiti since 1770. MercyWorks has several ER doctors who have already indicated their readiness and availability to go. Their initial job is to immediately take care of people affected by the 7.0 earthquake, then over time transition to primary care. The plan is to send waves of teams to the area to sustain ongoing restoration efforts. The first MercyWorks team is tentatively scheduled to depart tomorrow, and will focus on providing medicines, food, and help with rebuilding efforts.

The response effort will be immensely challenging. The earthquake occurred 45 minutes before the sun set and due to the loss of electricity, people were soon in total darkness. Phone service was lost, keeping people from getting in touch with family and friends. Dozens of aftershocks measuring up to 5.9 kept people awake throughout the night. Even before the earthquake, there were few, if any, emergency services in Haiti. Most of the people survive on less than $2 per day. Haiti’s envoy to the United States described the earthquake as a “catastrophe” and says the damage from the earthquake could run into billions of dollars.

Wes and Danielle Chapman have been full‑time YWAM missionaries for five years. In 2002 they each came from very different backgrounds to receive training at YWAM Tyler, where they met, fell in love, and married.

Written: December 2009
In the fall of 2006 we came to Asia with the OneStory Project* to bring the Word of God to the “Z” people. We didn’t know all that it would take but we jumped in with both feet. We began simply by observing and learning the culture of our people. We prayed fervently every day, “How can we make our wonderful God attractive to these people?” We discovered that the “Z” people are filled with fear. Demonic spirits, superstitions, and age-old traditions bring bondage in every village. We wondered, “Can God truly set these people free?”

Soon we learned enough language to begin crafting the Bible stories that would bring light into this darkness. From the very beginning we knew prayer was the key. God spoke to our hearts, “If you want Me to move in every village, then pray in every village.” So we did. Earlier this year, we prayed in village number 108. We had done it; we had prayed in every village!

Today, with the help of several “Z” friends, we have crafted 34 Bible stories and three Bible songs. We’ve trained over 40 “Z” people villagers to tell those stories and sing those songs and to teach others to do the same. These trainings alone have resulted in first, second, and third generation house churches. The “Z” people are hearing the word of God in their own language from their own people.

Written: June 2009
While I was preparing to take a team to an Asian nation for outreach, I was told that it is closed to the gospel of God. I was told that we can’t preach, we can’t do dramas about Jesus, and we can’t sing songs about God’s love. So as a team we prayed, and we asked God the following questions: “How do you share the freedom of Christ in a nation that has no freedom?” “How do you preach the gospel without words?” “How do you convince a person that Jesus died just for him, when he’s one amongst millions?”

Well, we didn’t really have the answers when we left, but in faith we knew that God would provide a way to share His love with the people in that nation. There are many stories about this trip, many salvations and wonderfully amazing moments, but to me the following story is a story of how God wants us to live our lives, every day.

Rodger and Katrina met in the fall of 2002 at their home church in Wichita, Kansas. They were both surprised to meet somebody there who had a heart for missions and for YWAM. Rodger had traveled for a year with Impact World Tour, riding a freestyle BMX bicycle during ministry campaigns. Katrina had just returned from her Teachers for the Nations outreach to Kenya. After seven short months of dating and serving their home church, they got married. In 2004 they came to YWAM Tyler so Rodger could attend DTS and SOE training schools, and Katrina joined staff at Fatherheart maternity home.

The long winding road took us deeper and deeper into the Haitian outback. Baking in the morning sun and choking back the dust, we carefully scanned the horizon, wondering where our final destination would be. The barren landscape showed no sign of life.

Just as our restlessness peaked, we saw it: A narrow path emerged to our right, carved out of the abandoned rice fields. Our truckload of people and supplies jostled about as we turned off the main road and made our way across the wilderness, only to find life at the other end. “There it is!” yelled someone to my left, “See the mud huts!” This would be our resting place, and our home, for the next seven days.

There is an amazing remnant everywhere. In fact, it is bigger than a remnant. The nation is full of godly, practical, common sense people who are hungry for the things of God. Welcome to the normal: Police officers, school secretaries, moms, plumbers, students, maids, and lawmakers—normal people who lighten the world. Like a mighty army, this holy remnant is hidden and quiet but the season is changing. God has given His people a voice and He has opened doors to influence the world in the seven spheres of society: church, family, government, education, arts and entertainment, media, and business and economics.

It was the third week of our outreach in South Korea, and it was a grueling one! Every morning we played with kindergartners before heading off to teach English in a middle school. After lunch we continued teaching English at two high schools all afternoon. Then, for four hours every evening we ran a kids camp, where we taught the kids dances, skits, songs, and Bible stories.

Starvation and Cholera Run Rampant in Zimbabwe

Urgent Help is Needed

Once the richest nation in Africa, Zimbabwe now lies in ruins while its people are starving. According to a MercyWorks colleague in Zimbabwe, there is no food for people in the government hospitals. One church has "adopted" a hospital and takes meals there three times a day.

In addition to widespread starvation, thousands have died from a severe cholera outbreak. This disease is not a random mishap. It is a product of state failure, a direct consequence of decaying municipal infrastructure and a health system that can no longer offer basic services. Sadly, the under-nourishment of many people makes the risk of death from cholera a life-threatening certainty.

"Funerals of people dying of cholera are a common feature of our daily lives," said Tapiwa Hove, who lives in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. "But it seems no one cares. Sewage is flowing all over. It's like living in hell." Harare's Parirenyatwa Hospital, which was once one of the finest in Africa, is now closed with burst pipes leaking into its darkened operating rooms. One doctor said, "We've gone from some of the best healthcare in Africa to people dying because they are living in their own sewage."

MercyWorks is responding to this urgent crisis by raising prayer support and financial assistance for the people of Zimbabwe. They also plan to send a medical team as soon as possible. Initial departure was planned for early March; however, conditions on the ground made it too great a security risk. The team is prepared to go in on short notice when safety concerns have been sufficiently addressed.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.mercyworks.org, call MercyWorks at 1-866-77-MERCY, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Whoever expects to meet their future spouse halfway around the world? Well, Josh and Marsha Langer never did, but that’s exactly what happened. Josh is from Germany, and he came to YWAM Tyler to do his DTS in 2002. Marsha, who is from Ohio, was in the same school. They began dating at the end of their second level school, School of Evangelism. Marsha then returned home to finish university, and Josh joined the YWAM Tyler staff in 2003.

For the past 23 years, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Tyler has annually hosted Take Action, a multimedia event aimed at encouraging young people in their walk with God and exposing them to world missions. The event includes a multimedia production (drama, music, video, and dance), worship, small groups, workshops, and times of prayer and interaction with the participants.

One day our DTS outreach team split into two groups to minister to a couple of churches out in the bush. When my group got to its church, we were informed that plans had changed. Now, we needed someone to preach. One of our team leaders came to me before we started and asked if I would share a message with the people. I had preached a few days earlier on fear and happened to have my notes with me. I began the sermon, but within a few minutes the Holy Spirit took over.