As the YWAMers waited in anticipation for the Celebration to take place in our island city, Singapore, we prepared both on our knees and all the others ways to welcome family and friends to be amongst us. Deep within us, our desire was for this Jubilee Celebration to be a time of meeting with the LORD to declare to Him our praises and thanksgiving, and to encounter Him, praying that this is not just “another event”.

Finally the 31st of January arrived! We welcomed the LORD’s humble and obedient servants, Loren and Darlene to the Family Feast where more than 400 friends and associates gathered to fellowship with each other and enjoy the gastronomic spread. YWAM Malaysia, Myanmar, returning missionaries from China and other international associates were also represented, and we had a great time meeting up.

We even had the joy of re-living the exuberant dance moves of ladies who had grown up serving in Eternal Splashes (a former dance ministry). They opened the Celebration with a colourful Latin-inspired dance as we all entered into a time of worship unto the LORD because He has been so faithful.

YWAM Singapore’s base leader, Joseph Chean, exhorted the family to reflect and ponder upon the words of the song, ”I sing to You LORD, a hymn of love, for Your faithfulness to me.”  And to reflect upon the psalmist’s words, “Lets forget none of His benefits.” How marvellous are His ways that he would choose a small island, to be a channel of blessing unto the nations! Gifts were distributed cheerfully to our guests and we sang a birthday song to all the YWAM-ers! This year we turn 50! Happy birthday to us! Happy birthday to us… Hurray! God has taken us this far and beyond!

All of my life in every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

Loren and Darlene clarified that the purpose of the 50th celebration is to reflect on His faithfulness and to point towards the future: “Greater things you will do”.  Loren believes that the current digital generation is going to accomplish greater things than before! Joseph was so right when he said (as a mission) where we are today is due to faithful giants who toiled before us. Loren elaborated how the task of completing the Great Commission is possible through the tools provided by our Jehovah Jireh. He did this by taking us through the milestones to witness the multiplication that God has enabled us to have and the resulting fruitfulness in the last 50 years.

During the next two days of Celebration, the family shared stories of the past and present and looked with anticipation to the future. In reflecting upon the past, Darlene reminded us of the times of correction the mission had been through. Those formative years of the mission brought valuable lessons and we came to appreciate that we serve a forgiving and generous God. With a heart of encouragement and intercession, the family heard and saw God’s faithfulness as we were presented with reports from YWAM Singapore, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Moved to prayer, Loren led us to intercede for the present work being done in these nations. We prayed in faith to trust God not just for the salvation of the various people groups in China (Tibetans, Hui, Shui and Buyi tribes), Myanmar and Malaysia, but to stretch our faith that these nations would be a mission sending force!

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favour and providence flow

I know I’m filled to be emptied again

The seed I’ve received I will sow…

As the Celebration came to a close, everyone left convicted of the need to bring the Bible to every home in all the Omega Zones as Loren shared about the revelation of Jesus throughout the Bible and how it is God’s Word that would bring transformation to every sphere of influence throughout the world. With Darlene’s closing words from John 15:16, we were all reminded once again that we are not self-appointed or YWAM-appointed, but GOD-appointed. And challenged to say YES to God in everything, we had a sacred time of communing together at the Lord’s Table as we committed ourselves to the YWAM Jubilee Covenant and the Christian Magna Carta. This was truly one Family Reunion we will always remember as we charge forward in faith to finish the Great Commission!