COLORADO SPRINGS— Loren Cunningham, Founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), died at 88 on Saturday October 7 in his sleep at home in Kona, Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, daughter Karen, son David and Judy Cunningham, and three grandchildren, Madi, Kenna, and Liam.

This video looks back on his remarkable life.

An official obituary can be found on lorencunningham.com.

From 1960 on, Loren Cunningham called youth to travel the world as missionaries, telling everyone, everywhere, of Jesus. In new generations and new ways, youth at the mission volunteers continue sharing God’s love.

From their campus in Kona, Hawaii, and others in 180+ nations, the mission mobilizes 20,000 full-time volunteer missionaries and hundreds of thousands more short-term volunteers.

Loren founded YWAM to send missionaries from all nations to all nations. The mission and university share the gospel, teach, and help the needy worldwide.

Loren has inspired faith in the next generations.

Loren Cunningham:

Jesus is winning! Jesus is winning! As I’ve gone through the nations, I’m watching a rising tide.

He unlocked the world of missions for millions, calling young and old, women and men, from all denominations and ethnicities.

After several trips around the world and years spent mobilizing youth missions, Loren’s efforts grew into a movement called Youth at the Mission.

Loren:

You see, the Bible says in Mark 16 verse 15, “I want you to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Rallies and short-term outreaches grew into schools and long-term missions.

In 1977, Youth of the Mission bought and renovated a bankrupt, dilapidated former hotel to become YWAM’s first campus for the University of the Nations. Loren co-founded the university with renowned scientist, inventor, and professor Howard V. Malmstadt.

In 1984, Loren and his sister Janice Rogers wrote their first book. Now their books are in 150+ languages.

In 1963, he married his wife Darlene, who co-founded the mission with him. They immediately flew to Europe for a missions outreach. They shared the thrills and challenges as youth at the mission expanded.

The Cunninghams moved to Switzerland with their 7-month-old daughter, Karen. The son, David, was born there in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In 1974, the family moved to Hawaii and kept moving 18 times as the mission rented many places. He helped his family go together to all the world.

He’s remembered for being a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and a faithful follower of God’s call to go into all the world.

About YWAM Emerge

YWAM Emerge is a non-profit organization that aims to launch local food systems around the world that reduce poverty with dignity. They use aquaponics, a sustainable method of growing fish and plants together, to create commercial enterprises that provide food security, income and empowerment for communities in need. YWAM Emerge is based in Colorado Springs, US, but operates globally with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They offer training programs, internships and volunteer opportunities for anyone who wants to learn and serve with them.

Read more news on Non Profit / Faith Based Organizations, and World Missions.