Planet YWAM.net

Violence against Christians in Orissa prompts action

Future Media is a promotional video for a new training program that helps to orient people to the coming mobile devise technologies that will enable them to create dynamic communication tools from the palm of their hands. This is very cool and is in my opinion the "cutting edge" of New Media creativity! Check it out! Stay subscribed because we will continue to upload new and exciting episodes. We don't take vacations here at the Gospel Gadget Podcast!Stay subscribed!Digg our podcast Please stay tuned and remember to vote for our podcast at: and Also, support this podcast by buying your domain names from: Subscribe to this podcast: View with

Here is a very revealing short video that I made of an animated graph demonstrating the rise and fall of all of the religions of the world. You will need to look at this one several times to see all that is going on since 1800 AD. Google has used the growth rates to estimate the population of adherents of these religions into the future, 2025 AD. Let us know what you think about this tool. Surf to our homepage and check it out! Please support GNN and get 10% off domain names and other Internet resources at: When making a purchase use our promo code "cjcsave10" to receive your discount. Please remember to vote for our podcast at: , and Visit our Odeo ChannelSubscribe to this podcast:

My passion for missions started when I was young. It was the church slide shows that got me. The starving children, the hurting people. Was it really possible that someone didn't know who Jesus was? My young and protected mind found that hard to fathom... and desperately heartbreaking. I remember listening to the stories of these people we called "Missionaries." They had old fashioned and often unattractive clothing, but that didn't matter. They had real stories. They didn't talk about what was on sale at the shops that week. They talked about how when they had no money at all and the car was in the middle of the jungle running of out of gas in the one car they had to race away from guerillas and to a village to tell people about Christ, they prayed and God filled the tank with petrol. My mind boggled at the possibility and I remember praying and asking God if I could some day have stories like that too... My passion for communications followed a short time later and really blossomed when I was 12 years old and a home schooler. I remember "hibernating" (as my family disapprovingly yet jokingly called it) in my bedroom. Instead of working on my school work (shh... don't tell mom! It eventually got finished), I would write. Poems... short stories... songs... (no, you cannot hear them. Some are quite pathetic, looking back.) The point is, it birthed in me a love and desire to communicate. In high school I discovered journalism. The "Press Passes" to get into free movies to do reviews and to get out of class for an interview were certainly incentive. But what struck me the most was how much I loved to tell peoples' stories. I went to college with a foggy understanding of how my two passions might merge and decided to go for a degree in Communications. I enjoyed my classes and met some amazing people, but something was still missing... ...until I did a Discipleship Training School with YWAM. It was there that picture began to clear. My two passions were utterly complimentary of one another. Within missions, I could have the opportunity to communicate stories on behalf of others - to be a voice, to share truth. And I find myself here today. A missionary communicator. Its not an official title; just two words that articulate what I love to do. And its out of this passion that I share with you a bit more about the heart of Reef to Outback. We've always been called to use communications to overcome isolation. If you're reading that phrase for the first time, it might sound noble... or might make no sense at all. To us, it is so familiar to the point that it can become cliche. But in those moments when you quiet your heart before the Lord, when life becomes so clear, it becomes a mission that is limitless and one that stirs incredible excitement in my heart. Our history of communication started with a website. Oh, how familiar the website is to us. But 10 years ago, Reef to Outback - located in a tiny regional place called Townsville - was one of the first YWAM bases to have a website at all. Today, you practically don't exist if you don't have a website. So where does that leave us? How do we communicate a message in the midst of so much noise? The vision is actually quite in depth and I'd love to sit down with a cup of coffee with those of you that are connecting with me to share and dream together. For now, I'll just share two main points and why I think they're critical to where we are going: Social Networking If you're reading this article, you are probably either on... or have been... to our website: www.reeftooutback.com. Several months ago, we jumped off of what feels like a very high platform into a sky of just about nothingness. We went from a traditional (and quite complimented) website to a fully integrated social network. It was questioned and sometimes criticized. Can you merge your website with a social network? If so, how? The questions are still being answered. But here's what I do know. I was sick a few weeks ago. I missed my first day of work in nearly 4 years (except when I had glandular fever for a week... but that is another story.) I'm a bit of a workaholic at times and as I was laying in bed, I couldn't help but get onto our website and see who had joined the social network. It was there that I met a sweet young lady, who I'll keep private. I began to correspond with her about missions and what it meant to my life. She began to open up as we corresponded and I realised - I am helping a young woman from the other side of the world find her destiny in God while I am laying sick in bed. Technology is an incredible ministry gift to us and despite the challenges and questions of being on the cutting edge, if I can maximize the number of people I can disciple by having some extra information on my front page, then I say, "Yes, please!" Maximizing Resources Did you know that EVERY WEEK we have a team of people coming up with a dynamic multimedia presentation with interactive activities, video roll-ins, live bands, and a message? We package it up and call it Youth Street Live and every week we get nearly 80-100 kids coming along. The quality amazes me. Sometimes I feel so privileged by the people I get to work with. The thing that upsets me, however, is that each week it makes an impact on those 100 or so kids who are there and then all those resources are finished. Its like this huge treasure that we have and it just sits in our archived folders. So how do we maximize that? How do we extend our influence? These days "Reality Internet" is nearly as popular as "Reality TV." Aside from some of the perversion that is out there, I am boggled by how someone can stick a cheap web cam in a room and attract an audience. We as people seem to be fascinated with one another. If we call ourselves good role models, let's fascinate people with us, right!? Each week we have begun to Live Stream Youth Street Live over the internet. This means that people around the globe can log in to Yahoo! and be a part of what happens at our warehouse. I love this! We can chat, and interact and answer questions. What a tool! What about an online database of our video resources for youth pastors and chaplains to utilise? Its in the works! The possibilities are limitless and that passion that bubbles, which I mentioned? Its welling up and overflowing as I write. But its already too long anyhow so that cup of coffee to share more will probably be the only option. As I conclude, however, I will say this... this is a day in age when communicating has never been easier. And the Story has never needed to be heard more. We are a team of communicators in missions who are going somewhere. And I, for one, would like to invite you to join us. Whether its IT, web, video, print, writing, marketing or the NEXT great undiscovered thing... we need more communicators in missions. And who knows! You might just have a story or two of your own to tell...

No... Reef to Outback was not viciously attacked by warriors! The Cape York Tour brought a mix of cultures and talents including one of the treasures of the Pacific... the Haka. Here its performed by members of Team Xtreme and the Cultural Dance Team at Youth Street Live.

Performers from the Cape York Tour landed back from the north and immediately went into Townsville high schools with positive messages for youth. Here, a busting open a soda can with bare hands illustrates how there are obstacles in life that need to be broken so we can succeed.

Never a dull moment. From the apparel, its hard to tell what decade it is, but this photo of our Youth Street Crew was definitely taken in August 2008.

Reef to Outback Staff Intern, Cory Prothero hanging out with some of the Youth Street Crew.

No, no anti-war protest here. Just the Youth Street Art Team spicing things up with a tribute to the 70s! Are there things you'd like featured in September's Reef to Outback Month in Pictures? Why not email us at rto@reeftooutback.com!

At first read, you may be wondering if this month's featured staff has been to one too many science fairs in his time. However, with delightful inserts from his adoring and vivacious wife, you'll discover that this techie guy actually has a huge level of depth, quite a love for people... and a bit of a cheeky edge as well! Join with us as we get to know Nick Verwymeren... RTO: Where are you from Nick? NV: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. RTO: What's interesting about Winnipeg? NV: Actually, its a pretty ordinary place. Well, they shoot lots of movies there. Brad Pitt was just there for the movie about Jesse James. RTO: See! Its an exciting place! NV: (Laughs and says sarcastically) Yeah! its awesome RTO: Favourite Colour: NV: Probably blue. RTO: Music? NV: Pretty much anything but country. RTO: What do you do in your spare time? NV: Camping. We don’t get to do much of that these days. I really like gardening too. RTO: What are you harvesting right now? NV: Carrots and tomatoes, thyme, basil… doing poorly. Rosemary oregano strawberries and sage… RTO: So, what’s unique about you? NV: (sarcastically) I'm unusually good looking and smart. Nick's wife Sara pipes in with the aforementioned adoration: He's so SMART! And, he can speak a language fluently and its called HTML. RTO: True. Nick, where did your passion for technology, creativity, and media start? NV: When I was young. My dad is an appliance repairman. (Sara pipes in again from the background – NICK CAN FIX ANYTHING!) I started being interested in taking things apart. When I was young my parents would buy me toys and I could take them apart. It all started from there. I liked finding complicated things and learning how they work. RTO: Did you have any unsuccessful attempts? NV: You know this little viewer toys that you can click through with pictures. I had one that played those disks and projected to the wall. I took it apart but it never went back together. There were too many springs. It was very sad. My dad would bring home old microwaves all the time and I with one, I took the entire thing apart and put screws into different buckets to save the parts. It had strong magnets and I saved those. My room like someone chucked a bomb in a mircowave! RTO: What's your giggest techie accomplishment NV: I built a robot in grade 10 & 11. It was basically these 9” x9” square sumo wrestlers who had to push each other out of the ring but you controlled it yourself. The next year I wanted to build something that does everything on its own. I built one of those. It took me 2 years to make. I had to teach myself everything. It totally worked and everything but then the group took it to Calgary without me. It didn’t work in the competition because a sensor was broken. RTO: Okay... your "group?" Be honest. Were you in science club? NV: (Laughing) No. We had an electronic class as an elective and we could enter the contest. RTO: So why did you come to Reef to Outback for a DTS? NV: I did a DTS because I went travelling after high school for six months in South east Asia & Nepal. From there, I had a desire to travel and had a desire to grow in my relationship with God because I wasn’t the strongest at that time. My uncle is Alan Lim [an Intl YWAM leader] who was living in Singapore at the time. Because RTO had the technical schools like the School of Design and School of Digital Communication, I decided it might be good to go there… and because of the camping! RTO: Did you have a funny or embarassing DTS moment? NV: Well, my friend Cliff & I pretended like we were really good at singing. We entered a talent show and put the same CD on in our headphones and sang out loud for everyone. It was horrible. A few people in the back were snickering but everyone else was really stunned, not knowing if we were serious or not. It was more embarrassing for everyone else than for us! RTO: Did you break any rules on your DTS? NV: Well, I told Sara I liked her. During DTS you're asked to not necessarily start relationships. We decided not to do anything about it until afterward though, which was really good for us. RTO: So you and Sara ended up getting married & you’ve been married for a year now. What’s your favourite thing about her? NV: She’s just the best wife you could ask for. There are so many things. I wrote them all down once. I can always tell when she’s coming to the door because of the way she shuffles her feet. I love that. I would listen for the sound coming up to my flat before we were married. RTO: Why are you here at RTO now? What are you passionate about? Why do you do what you do? NV: I love learning and growing in what I enjoy. I enjoy computers, technology and coding. I definitely have a platform to grow in that here. But also, being able to see that what I do makes a difference. I like the fact that I get to help market something that is a worthy cause. Its for God. Its not just doing it for the sake of it. I love using our gifts to get people involved in something that has the potential to change their lives. Also, I get to be involved in Youth Street as well. Even though its only one evening a week, its totally different but at the same time its accomplishing the same thing. Its very tangible and direct. In the office, we have a large impact but its less tangible. At Youth Street we are directly talking to kids and inputting into their lives and seeing them changed. RTO: Okay. Last question. What are you reading? NV: Online manuals! (laughing) And I’m reading through Acts with Sara. We’re up to Acts 16 today. We were reading Jeremiah but maybe it’s a bit doom and gloom for morning reading so we switched! Read more about Nick on his website or at www.reeftooutback.com... (which is just one of the websites that he helped to create!)

You know when you live in a good town when the aged 65+ know how to throw a good party! And while Reef to Outback is definitely a youth-focused organisation, its a bit of an annual tradition to party with Townsville's pioneers every spring! Our wonderful City Council threw an excellent party at Sheriff's Park. Three huge marquees with brightly coloured decor set the stage for a morning of entertainment, awards, gift bags, and a gourmet picnic lunch. And there to greet our town's seniors when they arrived? None other than your very own Reef to Outback staff. We were delighted to escort our honoured guests to their tables, invite them to tea and coffee, help serve lunch and yes even dance a jig or two! What a privilege to help love on the elderly of our community.

Watch the video and read the report from YWAM's annual Global Leadership meeting

YWAM MercyWorks reaches China's earthquake victims

Watch the daily video and read the report from YWAM's annual Global Leadership meeting

[caption id="attachment_160" align="alignright" width="182" caption="Mother & Daughter Team"][/caption] 79 years old, Mrs. Jey Jaloeytham, weathers many challenges still living in Klong Toey community. Even with a number of health issues, she and her daughter pictured here, take care of three young nieces and a nephew. An exemplar trustworthy client member since 2005, ...

[caption id="attachment_158" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Vimon and her husband"][/caption] Living in Khongtoey community for 35 years, Mrs.Vimon Romphum joined as a respected community member client since the beginning of Step Ahead. Her first loan, for just under $100 was to sell second hand merchandise in the community. Later, her son had an ...

In spite of damaged facilities, YWAM Haiti provides food and water to needy families

Let's be honest - today's youth don't particularly love listening to long lectures on life. So how do a group of young volunteers brings positive values and messages to high school students? Through a little thing called dancing! Yes its true... its amazing how much visual illustrations and music can make a perceivably boring message come alive and touch kids hearts. Several Reef to Outback staff along with dance group M3 hit up several Townsville high schools and reached close to 1,000 young people with messages on self-esteem, living right, and hope in Jesus. The outreach was a huge success and we'd love to see how we can get permanent dance outreaches happening. If you're interested, please email us at rto@reeftooutback.com!

YWAM Mexico campuses through the nation are collaborating together in order to offer an Associate of Arts Degree in Missions through the University of the Nations (U of N).  This means a student can receive

De School voor Bijbelse Studies heeft in het eerste semester meteen vier open weken. Ze staan open voor iedereen die belangstellend is en zich meer wil verdiepen in Gods Woord.

Darlene Cunningham, als ‘de vrouw van’ mede-oprichter van Jeugd met een Opdracht, spreekt op vrijdagavond 24 oktober in Epe.

De eerstvolgende ReLoaded is van vrijdag 17 tot en met zondag 19 oktober aanstaande.

  Click here for more conference details       SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT Bienvenidos En Espanol ENS Topics ENS Instructor Info

Well folks, it’s been an adventurous two weeks since our last newsletter. We spent a week in Santo Domingo, the capital, broadening our view of the DR. Then we just spent this week in Neyba, running a children’s bible school. Ok, so Santo Domingo, well we began with some sightseeing at Los Tres Ojos—”the three eyes”. They are underground lakes with beautiful turquoise water. One lake had a raft where a man pulled you across in the dark so you could view another lake. As for accommodation… We were told we were staying in a vacant house the church had bough, but it wasn’t a house it was a mansion with 24/7 armed guard and copious amounts of fruit trees. If this is missionary life, we’ll take it. Raul’s mum, Carmen, cooked for us for the week and really blessed us with delicious food! First job of the week was to clean sand and rubbish out of the second story of a house in a poor city suburb whilst trying to avoid biting ants and spiders. A pair of trousers was even turned into a rubble carrier. ‘Resourceful’ was the name of the game. We got to experience crazy Dominican driving…no lanes, (cars 4 wide in a 2 lane road) no rules! We returned to the neighborhood in the evening and ran a street service. The people there were so incredibly hospitable and friendly. Many of the youth from the church spoke English, and we had a great week socializing and working with them. A highlight day for us was when we went to La Virgen “the virgin”, a small village on the outskirts of the city. We ran a children’s program in this church building that was about 8m x 4m and packed full of kids. Britt debuted as Bartholomew, the little man and successfully made 3 kids cry with his expressions and machete handling. HILARIOUS! That evening we ran a street service .

(more…)

After the summer break it is back to business here at Eintroa. After five days at the GoFest in "sunny" Stavern, southern Norway, we spent twelve hours in our antique VW Caravel to get home to our beloved Eintroa.

Since then we have spent our waking hours shining up the base, as well as building our staff unity (= eating, playing games, hanging out etc.).

Below are some pictures from these last three weeks. We intend to update this blog regularly with pictures and stories – so if you want to stay informed about the fascinating events at Eintroa these coming months, please visit our website once in a while! (If you are using an RSS news reader you can subscribe to our blog in order to receive any updates automatically)

What you have missed out on so far:

You can now keep up to date with YWAM Mercy news, or have your dos of YWAM Mercy Daily Prayers right on your facebook page!

Announcing...DTS in Tijuana! Come to one of the most strategic cities in Mexico and we'll take you to some of the most unreached places in the world. Your three months of training in Tijuana will change your heart

The lasting impact of a new home often goes further than the home itself, rippling out to touch not just families but entire communities. Take Bigtha de Rubi. Bigtha lived in a one room shack with 10 people —

YWAM Georgia reaches out to refugees, one family at a time

A Week Seven report from a Discipleship Training School student

This is a "must see" video reporting on the struggles and passion of modern Muslims to use the vehicle of comics to make themselves relevant to a new generation. This offers us a key inside look at the difficulties that muslims face in calling their followers around the world to become relevant to a new generation using the technology and arts of western comic style. Stay subscribed because we will continue to upload new and exciting episodes. We don't take vacations here at the Gospel Gadget Podcast!Stay subscribed!Digg our podcast Please stay tuned and remember to vote for our podcast at: and Also, support this podcast by buying your domain names from: Subscribe to this podcast: View with

Chapter 6 of There's a sheep in my bathtub is read by the author of this new book, Brian Hogan. Get your own copy of this dynamic new book. It s a great read! Surf to our homepage and check it out! Please support GNN and get 10% off domain names and other Internet resources at: When making a purchase use our promo code "cjcsave10" to receive your discount. Please remember to vote for our podcast at: , and Visit our Odeo ChannelSubscribe to this podcast:

In scorching hot temperatures in the Mexican desert town of Tecate, two teams of Mexican youth are building new homes for the Martinez Velazquez and the Ruiz Sanchez families. As a part of their five day Mission Adventures

John Ray This September YWAM GoTeam Support Development ministry is partnering with YWAM San Diego/Baja to offer a comprehensive, cutting edge series of workshops focused on turning the obstacles associated with raising

One Border, Two Nations, Gateway to the World You can now get an Associate of Arts degree in Missions thorugh the University of the Nations. Find out more.

International YWAMer e-zine is launched

Well once again we have had a busy two weeks. Last week we held a street service in another part of town with the AOG church and had quite a different vibe to the area we have been working in and a slightly nicer area. It was also a lot cooler which was a nice reprieve. The laughing point for us was that a
group of women were sitting on chairs in the road all ready for the service complete with sound system
and everything. Then this big bus come down the road and can’t get past….well these ladies refuse to move and just wave him off and tell him to reverse and go another way. There continued to be a number of vehicles pass through, until Raul said “time to get aggressive” and proceeded to move the van to completely block the road so that no-one could get through. We couldn’t believe it, but then had to remind ourselves –welcome to the DR. The Summer Bible School was the big event of the week. It had never been done before so we got to pioneer it. We had a couple of workshops beforehand where we teamed up with the youth to organize it. This was an experience not only in communication but
learning about how they do things and how to work with them. The theme was Sailing With Jesus so
the church got decorated with seaweed, fish etc. Tash’s artistic flare definitely got put to good use.
The fishing boat complete with sail and anchor was a feature and 400 name tags were a consuming task.
Meanwhile, the guys were out the back, working like mad to get the roof finished and the floor concreted so that we could hold a class out there. The church guys manually shoveled and mixed concrete in the intense heat, impressing us all. So Thursday afternoon, 3pm we turned up thinking we might have 400 kids……the entire church was packed like sardines—550 kids!! Over the 4 days the entertainment team brought out the little man, (more…)