YWAM Virginia
Passionately Follow God & Champion Young People.
Our Vision
Committed to a lifestyle of spiritual disciplines,
YWAM Virginia equips young people to disciple the nations through holistic initiatives.
Our vision statement is a process. We begin by seeking the face of God each and every day. All the while, we are mentoring youth to lead new mission strategies throughout the world.
Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are things we do that lead us toward the face of God each and every day. Whether you are a staff, student, intern or volunteer; each YWAMer commits to seek God with all of heart, soul, mind and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves (Luke 10:27). Each year our community sets practical spiritual disciplines goals. These goals include outreach, intercession, worship, Bible Study, hospitality, service, physical stewardship, financial stewardship, accountability and transparency.
Champion Young People
YWAM VA is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young people to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to value them, trust them, train them, support them, make space for them and release them. They are not only the Church of the future; they are the Church of today. We commit to follow where they lead, in the will of God. Over the next 5 years we will be sending 300 young missionaries to work in Richmond, sister cities & within unreached people groups around the world.Are you asking yourself, What will this year bring? Join us and make history.
Since 1982, YWAM Virginia has been helping youth and teens from around the world deepen their walk with God.
With a variety of University of the Nations courses and ministry programs that start in the city of Richmond and reach throughout the world, YWAM Virginia is truly global in scope.
Thanks to our unique urban campus and the diverse nature of Richmond itself, YWAM Virginia has become a favorite destination of students from Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe & Asia and many states throughout the USA.
Our staff, volunteers and students also reach into the city of Richmond and the world through our eight community ministries: AFRONetwork (reconciliation), Campus Ministry, Impact Teams (construction ministry), Jewish World Office, KKI (family ministry), NIKO wilderness challenge experiences, Richmond Ropes Challenge Course & Urban ministry (for at-risk youth).
History
The YWAM presence in Virginia-Washington D.C. began in 1980 with a mobile team under the leadership of Ron Boehme. After serving the Washington For Jesus project they developed a more permanent ministry center at 133 C St. in Washington. Under Ron’s visionary leadership the need for a rural training center was perceived. So it was then that the Rock Castle Training Center was established in Powhatan county at the St. Frances de Sales Catholic Girls School.
Greg and Ramona Musch were invited from Texas to head up “Rock Castle” in 1982. The training center was located at Rock Castle until 1989 when it was moved into inner city Richmond.
One year prior to the relocation to Richmond, a small team led by David and Sharon Swarr moved to Church Hill. The initial goal was to plant an interracial church under the auspices of the Mennonite Church (Jubilee Christian Fellowship). The vision soon grew to include a broader urban ministry. The result of the team’s studies, prayer and outreach led them to begin a community outreach center called The Neighbors Place. The Urban Kings Kids program was pioneered there along with a computer learning center, and an after school program.
In 1991-94 office and classroom space was leased next to Virginia Commonwealth University. It was felt that this was just a foreshadowing of a future time when there would be a ministry focused on university students.
In late 1994 the 11 acre Fulton Hill property which is known as “The Campus” was purchased. In mid 1995, the 240 acre Rose River Retreat Center facility in Madison County was also opened to serve as a University of the Nations training center. In 1997, David Swarr invited Jaime Araujo from Brazil to succeed him as Director.
In 2002 new offices were opened in Fulton Hill on Carlise Avenue. At this time, the Rose River Retreat Center was deemed no longer necessary and sold. After six more years of ministry to the city of Richmond, and the nations of Israel, Ukraine, Brazil, and Turkey, among others, Jaime passed the leadership to Chris Zinchuck.
In April of 2008 the Richmond Ropes Challenge Course opened on the Fulton Hill property serving all spheres of society within Richmond. Seventeen years after the vision was initially cast, Campus Ministries to VCU is officially being pioneered.
Today with a dedicated focus on Community Development, YWAM Virginia operates five University of the Nations Schools and eight ministries. We regularly send missionaries and outreaches to India, Brazil, Bakina Faso, Chile, Israel, and other nations.
What will this year bring? Join us and make history.