YWAM Under Fire For ‘Shaming’ Christians Who Confessed to Homosexuality, Other Sins
YWAM (Youth with a Mission) is facing allegations from secular papers that they’ve been traumatizing and shaming students over their sexual sins, with a new investigation by ‘The Observer’ detailing a laundry list of “spiritually abusive and controlling behavior” by the storied Christian organization.
Founded in 1960 by Loren Cunningham, YWAM’s mission is to “know God and make Him known.” It is an interdenominational and non-profit organization that operates in over 200 countries, pioneering short-term missions with a heavy charismatic emphasis. Ministry Watch notes:
“(It comprises of) some 20,000 workers in hundreds of independent ministries operating from some 1,000 bases in about 200 countries. Over the years, some four million people have been through YWAM’s 12-week Discipleship Training School, the first step in working with the organization, which pays no salaries.
But unlike other evangelical ministries and mission agencies, YWAM isn’t incorporated and lacks a central organization or headquarters. It has no president, board of directors, fundraising department, or annual reports. It has no communications team to gather and convey information to donors or the media, hence the frequent use of words like “some” in the paragraph above.”
According to the Observer, this is where many were “victmized.”
The allegations span two decades and include claims that young missionaries were publicly shamed, subjected to rituals to “cure” their homosexuality, and told that leaving was against God’s will.
Young British adults who signed up for training schools and overseas mission trips – many during their gap years – described regular confession sessions where they were pressured to admit their “sins” in a group.
These included perceived moral transgressions such as homosexual thoughts, sexual activity, abortions and watching pornography, as well as other “sins” such as disobeying a leader or having “rebellious thoughts”.
Those who confessed could be questioned and made to give public apologies, according to former missionaries. They could be prayed for or could face punishment, including being removed from volunteer roles. In some cases, interventions were more extreme. Former YWAM volunteers described the use of rituals similar to exorcisms to banish demons from people who acknowledged having sex outside marriage.
YWAM England has responded to the allegations, writing in a statement that they are “deeply sorry to anyone who has experienced harm while being part of YWAM. No one should suffer spiritual abuse, coercion, or psychological distress in a faith-based community.”
While noting that “YWAM England holds to traditional Christian views on marriage,” they also insist that they “affirm the dignity and worth of every individual” and that “We do not condone any practice that results in humiliation, exclusion, or internalized shame.”
They reveal that they are “grieved by reports of individuals who felt that their identity was treated as sinful or demonic, and we are reviewing how our teachings are expressed to ensure they reflect compassion, truth, and love.” Their statement further reads:
We unequivocally condemn any form of coercive or shaming group practices, including public confession sessions that have been reported at some YWAM locations. While personal confession is a part of Christian practice, it should always be voluntary and respectful. Any practice that pressures individuals to disclose trauma or shame them publicly is wrong. We do not condone so-called “healing rituals” that harm or stigmatize, and these have no place in YWAM England.”
YMAM England says that they have reviewed all their safeguarding practices and governance and have “strengthened” their polices and training in accordance with the Independent Safeguarding Service CIC.