Over 400 came to attend the 50th anniversary Jubilee celebration in Chennai, India.  Not only did people come from different parts of South India, but also from north India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South America, Australia, North America, and even Africa.  Present and former YWAMers were there and on the 2nd day some special guests such as local pastors and Christian workers attended as well.

Memories were recalled from YWAM India’s past.  Ian Liu, who was a student in the very first DTS ever to be held in India, shared stories such as when they were trusting God for their very first computer, which would cost 65,000 rupees (approximately USD $2,000 at the time), a fortune!  God provided for that and many other computers since then!  At one of the prayer meetings years ago someone saw a vision of a large map of India with a huge snake on it.  But then lights came up in certain areas of the map.  As more lights came up, the snake grew more uncomfortable.  Looking at a map of India later on, it could be seen that those point of light had become places where YWAM had started ministries.  This map was later displayed at the celebration.  Others shared also, such as Anil Kumar who talked about how he started his YWAM ministry to lepers.

A poll was taken at the conference and it was found that among those attending, about 10 joined YWAM in the 1980s, 60 joined YWAM in the 1990s, and 300 had joined since then.  These different generations blessed one another, praying for such things as double anointing, apostolic anointing, creativity in training, for more “Calebs”--for more to go to new places and to more impact the seven spheres of influence.

This was the first YWAM 50th anniversary gathering in India for Loren and Darlene Cunningham.   As they arrived and stepped out of their car they were welcomed with a traditional uniformed Indian brass band and a cheering crowd with flags, confetti, and plenty of cameras. Loren and Darlene told some stories from the past and talked about the future, and the need to more impact the seven spheres of influence.  Loren emphasized that not only is evangelism important but also discipleship.  He said that we need to be going out as missionaries (regardless of what our vocation is).  He had learned, for example, that some Christians who attend university just to learn to make money (and not to learn how to reach out to others) very often lose their faith by being there.

We had a commissioning ceremony in which Loren and Darlene had a torch with which they lit two sets of seven candles, each representing the seven spheres of influence.  Each participant then came and lit their own candle with one of those seven.

Darlene led us in signing the YWAM Jubilee Covenant and affirming the Christian Magna Carta (affirming that all have the right to hear the gospel, etc., and that we will commit to help bring that about) which we did as we had Communion.  There were great times of worship as well, and of course Indian cultural dances.   There were many pleasant reunions between various YWAMers who had not seen each other for a while.  The whole group had a photo taken together with the Cunninghams, who were presented with Indian shawls and a love offering.

All enjoyed this jubilee reunion, took many photos to remember the experience and look forward to our 60th!