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Cunningham

Posted on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by Pam

I can’t keep every book I like or even love. I’m breaking from YWAM study notes to a few notes on a book by Darlene Cunningham. She and Loren, recently deceased, founded the movement birthing short-term ministry trips. Youth With A Mission or YWAM has thousands of well-trained people. This missions movement has effectively grown God’s kingdom. Loren had the vision when he was 20 and inspired the mobilization of millions of young people. Darlene’s book is titled, “Values Matter”. Here are some teachings that stood out. She answered the question of YWAM’s secret – 1) we listen to God, 2) We obey Him, and 3) we persevere. 12 points to remember about hearing God’s voice: don’t make guidance complicated, allow God to speak in the way He chooses, confess unforgiven sin, if you feel lost return to the last thing you clearly heard, follow others following God, keep confidence’s and avoid pride and presumption, allow people to confirm God’s leading, beware of counterfeits, how to deal with opposition, each ministry is unique, keep practicing hearing God’s voice, and remember that relationship is the most important reason for hearing the voice of the Lord. Jesus was practical. He was a carpenter, chief, caterer, event organizer, creative problem solver, and an expert fisherman. On pg 76 Darlene writes, “In YWAM we have come to understand that Christians will never disciple nations and transform society by becoming separationists. Rather, Jesus calls us to influence society by living godly lives amid a godless society, seeking the Lord for ways to impart His principles into business, government, education, etc.”. Chapter 12 is titled, ‘Do First, Then Teach’. Everyone on earth has the right to: Hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have a Bible available in his/her own language, have Christian fellowship, have Biblical education, necessities, and hope for a productive life. YWAM started accepting people who you could call YOU with a mission (not youth). Darlene said, “God First; God Second; God Third…God over everything”. Pg 141, “If people are only given rules, they often can conform to them for a season of time. But if they are not taught the beliefs and values behind the rules or policies, they can easily relapse into old patterns, habits or sins when they are no longer in that defined environment”. Gather face to face. You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression (we have heard that before). The three Cs: circles or relational influence, cycles or seasons of time in which to fulfill own assignments in God, and circuits or geography – places he calls us. When asked a question about casting off an old culture and embracing a new, Darlene answered, “I believe the Bible is our only textbook for defining what is godly or holy. It helps us to see what parts of culture came from God and can be redeemed by God”. Read Ps 133. Communicate with integrity. Concerning integrity, Darlene quotes C.S. Lewis – doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching, and John Maxwell – image is what people think we are; integrity is what we really are. Ps 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer”.

As a Christian missions movement since 1960, the wave of testimonies for Jesus continues. Darlene’s book, Values Matter, is an inspiring read. My comments are really limited but I hope we read it for yourself.

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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