Day 1, Annual Africa Leadership Team Meeting in Pretoria, South Africa
Throughout Sunday YWAM leaders were arriving in South Africa from many different parts of the continent. They flew into Johannesburg from as far away as Mali, Senegal and Nigeria in the west; from Rwanda and Mozambique in the east; and from the southern countries of Zambia and South Africa. The sense of anticipation at being together could be seen in the smiles and hugs exchanged, as fellow-leaders who had not seen one another for months shared stories from different parts of Africa.

Another guest, from even further away, was Jim Stier, Regional Director of the Americas. On his way to teach at a School of Frontier Missions in northern Mozambique, Jim joined the Africa leaders for their first evening gathering. He spoke to them of how he has been led over recent weeks to pray for YWAM generally, and for Africa in particular.

Starting in 1 Samuel with the story of Eli, Jim reminded leaders of the need to rebuke and restrain wrong-doing, rather than drawing judgment upon themselves and the mission by permitting it to continue: “Iniquity that we know and permit by failing to address it results in judgment.” Our decisions should be the balanced result of a concern for the good name of our YWAM community, and a concern for the well-being of individuals.


Next, Jim addressed our common anxiety about finances. He said that though this concern can be dressed up as ‘being realistic’ in fact it could be an indication that in our hearts we are serving both God and Mammon. We must come to the point of being willing to face financial impossibility and still move ahead in obedience to God’s direction. Jim reminisced about YWAM’s humble beginnings in Brazil and reminded us that “great difficulties can lead to great spiritual progress.”

Moving to Romans chapter 13, Jim held up love as our highest calling. We are all to be committed in heart to the wellbeing of others, motivated by a desire to bless others no matter what their role, or family, or race and without vested personal interest. As Jim said, “Emotions make good servants but poor masters.” As we line our lives up with God’s will, healthy emotions can flow.

Finally, Jim gave a call for us to feed our own souls. In order to minister out of personal spiritual fullness, rather than out of need, we must allow time for our own need for intimacy with God to be met. Jim ended with the exhortation: “Our highest obligation is to be euphoric in the Lord before anything else.”