I came into YWAM in 1971; at that time I had been a student teacher in New Zealand. I served in various countries before moving to the United States in 1975 to establish a more permanent expression of YWAM in Los Angeles, eventually becoming the director of our international urban missions network. During these years I married Julie, an American, and we raised three sons, David, Paul and Matt who now serve in three countries. A late life baby was born to us in 1996, a little girl named Rachel Grace.Early in my life as a missionary, I became involved in the work of reconciliation between people groups, living as we did in the African-American community which you will recall has experienced many painful conflicts in Los Angeles. I also became involved with the roots of the story of New Zealand as a "Pakeha" or white New Zealander seeking reconciliation with the indigenous people of that land. That, in turn, led me into involvement with such issues worldwide. In 1990, I helped found the International Reconciliation Coalition. This network began to promote and multiply reconciliation initiatives around the world and is still expanding.
As I have served YWAM, usually as a speaker at citywide events dealing with the wounds of society, I've had the chance to visit many of our bases and ministries. I'm amazed at the anointing of the Holy Spirit that rests on YWAM. It's a priestly anointing; it's a prophetic anointing. That's why I'm encouraged when I look at the season that we are now entering. We have come into the world for such a time as this.
It was not too long ago that I found myself chosen by my peers to be our next president. On that very day in Nanning, China I clearly heard the Holy Spirit speak and I recorded it in my diary. "Healing grace, prophetic hope and the ministry of encouragement." That's my assignment. That's how I hope to serve you.
by John Dawson
YWAM President