Welcome to the Latest News from YWAM England
Holmsted Manor
With much reluctance and sadness, Holmsted Manor, the original YWAM property near Staplefield, West Sussex is listed for sale. The Board of YWAM Limited and senior YWAM leaders made the difficult decision to sell the property after recent and increasing concerns over a period of several years. Although YWAM was growing elsewhere in England, the general trend at Holmsted Manor showed declining numbers of staff and trainees.
YWAM has been reticent to sell Holmsted Manor because it represented God’s provision for accommodating the early growth of YWAM in England, especially during the 1970s and 80s. We are very grateful for the many YWAM staff and leaders who took responsibility for training and sending young people out from Holmsted all over the world. It has been a fruitful centre of missionary activity; thousands of young people have experienced life-changing and joyful growth as Christians whilst at that property. The beautiful main house and peaceful grounds have provided a great setting for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of trainees and visitors for camps, weekly worship and teaching, and many seminars and retreats.
When the property was home to full-staff and trainee numbers, stewarding it well was not difficult. As numbers dwindled that became more of a challenge, but we prayed and hoped the trend would change, increasing numbers and effectiveness. Recently we have been prayerfully alert for the possibility of another ministry within YWAM taking on Holmsted and growing. There have been some possibilities, but none have become a reality. During that time, members of YWAM and some Trustees began to think a sale was becoming unavoidable, knowing that maintaining an underused property was not good stewardship.
Even when we started the process of preparing Holmsted for sale, we continued to hope that another Christian ministry could steward the property. When no suitable ministries came to our attention, we prayerfully continued preparing it for sale.
The original donations enabled us to purchase Holmsted to accommodate YWAM's growth, and the funds gained from the sale can be used for the same purpose. We have contacted the families of those early supporters who enabled us to buy Holmsted in 1975, and they are comfortable with the sale and reallocation of the monies that will be realised.
We are so grateful to the Lord for the wonderful work He has done at Holmsted Manor in and through the lives of thousands of YWAM volunteer staff, trainees and visitors over the last 50 years.
Statement Regarding Urban Key London
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) England confirms that Urban Key London and its locations are no longer affiliated with YWAM.
Following reports relating to leadership practices, discipleship culture, and board governance, and having regard to safeguarding guidance issued by the Charity Commission, YWAM England engaged extensively with the senior leaders and trustees of Urban Key and set out the steps required to comply with policies and safeguarding protocols. These requirements were not met. As a result, the YWAM name and affiliation have been formally withdrawn.
Urban Key London is therefore no longer authorised to operate under the YWAM or Youth With A Mission name or to run any YWAM or University of the Nations (UofN) programmes or training, including Discipleship Training Schools (DTS).
This decision relates to organisational safeguarding and governance matters at a leadership level. It does not reflect on the character, faith, or intentions of the individuals who have been serving or training there. YWAM England continues to offer pastoral care and signposting to support and the next steps for those affected.
YWAM England remains committed to maintaining safe, healthy and accountable environments across all its locations and the communities we serve.
For enquiries, please contact: reporting@ywamengland.org
YWAM Holmsted Manor Announcement
After much prayer, discussion, and discernment, a final decision has been made to prepare Holmsted Manor for sale. Holmsted Manor has served as a wineskin for fruitful YWAM ministry for 50 years since 1975, and therefore we invited proposals so that it would not just be retained, but flourish. It was agreed that it would require a very large investment in time, money, and people for renewal and without the numbers, it will be incredibly hard to sustain successful ministries as well as restore the house and grounds.
This decision was not made lightly. It follows a season of careful review, including recommendations from the YWAM Holmsted Ministries CIO, and meetings between the trustees of YWAM England CIO and YWAM Limited. Together, we considered the future needs of the ministry, the significant investment required to renew the property, two proposals, and the importance of unity across all three boards for any forward direction.
This has been a difficult emotional process for many of us, as we have personal and spiritual history and connection with the property. At the same time, we reached a prayerful peace that this is the right next step.
We would ask for your continued prayers as the decisions and their implications require wisdom, expertise, and practical work.
We hope to gather together for a time of thanksgiving celebration, likely between late August and early October, to remember all that God has done amongst those who have served the Lord at Holmsted Manor and the many whose lives have been blessed.
YWAM England Statement
Please read this statement issued by YWAM England as a response to recent press coverage.
YWAM Derby
YWAM Derby has been hosting teams from several nations and running cooking club drop-ins for unchurched young people. On top of this, they regularly visit schools working through assemblies and supporting staff and pupils, and also provide mercy ministries locally to provide lunches, shelter, support and company. They have found time to pioneer new Bible courses in India and run their first 40-week Urban Discipleship Training School.
YWAM The Kings Lodge
YWAM The King’s Lodge had much to celebrate as this was their 40th Anniversary. It was a time of joyful reflection. In 1984, a small faithful group of YWAMers moved into the building on a cold day in January and dedicated the property to God’s service. To mark this milestone, they hosted a summer celebration, inviting friends and extended YWAM family to join the festivities, celebrating God for His faithfulness
throughout the years. They also just celebrated their Winter Wonderland event. It’s a cherished tradition where the local community is invited to experience the magic of the Narnia story, which, in turn, is a beautiful allegory of Christ’s sacrifice.
YWAM Harpenden
YWAM Harpenden hosted the annual Apple Festival too. Around 1,700 people came to the festivities, eating caramel apples and purchasing apple juice made from apples in our orchard. Harpenden has hosted over 150 trainees between three DTS, five second-level courses (communication training, the Bible and more), and three seminars which offered varied insight into trauma healing, hospitality and writing. Several of these courses and seminars were pioneered this year too. All of this, on top of helping to organise The Send Experience Nights.
YWAM Revive London
YWAM Revive London, along with helping The Send Experience Nights all around England, went as a team to the Paris Olympics, connecting with YWAM Paris Je T’Aime and YWAM Paris Connect where they saw many healings and salvations. Revive ran a successful Expedition through Europe and another in Dartmoor, giving many young people the opportunity to hear God’s voice as they trekked through wild country landscapes. They hosted several teams from Fire and Fragrance, Circuit Riders and Wild Hope, partnering with churches in the heart of London.
Mosaic
At Mosaic in Luton, they felt it was time to build and prepare the foundation. They hosted outreach teams from Kona and Urban Key, held a 72-hour prayer and worship event, and now hold monthly worship events. They continue to build stronger relationships with the local churches, charities and organisations in Luton.
Immerse
The Immerse team in Cornwall continues to grow. They ran a staff team outreach to the favelas in Rio de Janeiro supporting a homeless ministry. The leaders also visited and ministered to business leaders in Ecuador. Immerse perform many regular house visits to their local communities in Cornwall and you can find them serving at Creationfest every summer.
Newcastle, York, Leeds and Liverpool
There has been a range of new initiatives and outreaches per charity and plants. They pray, worship, socialise and share the different policies/forms that they need. Collaborating as small teams, they supported each other by hosting outreaches/outreach teams. It is encouraging for them all to come together and build relationships - there are currently only 11 staff members in the north of England. As small teams, they partner with local Christian charities and churches across the cities. For example, they partnered with a local Christian charity that goes into schools and with a church to present The Christmas Journey, a walk-through experience of the Christmas story told from Mary's perspective.
