Youth With a Mission, the largest global Christian missionary organization targeting youth, is being accused of employing abusive spiritual practices and authoritarian control, according to its young participants who claim to have been left “traumatized.” Following an Observer investigation, Youth With a Mission (YWAM) acknowledged the complaints but emphasized their commitment to their members’ safety.

Accusations span twenty years and reveal a culture where young missionaries were subjected to rituals aimed at curing their homosexuality, public shaming, and pressures to confess sins in group settings. Confessions of offenses like watching pornography or having rebellious thoughts could lead to public apologies, discipline, or removal from roles. Extreme rituals resembling exorcisms were reportedly used to “banish” demons from those who admitted to premarital sex.

Former missionaries from Britain, who joined YWAM for training or global mission trips, describe these confession sessions and the restrictive environments they endured. Some faced limits on relationships, attire, and family visits, with leaders frequently citing divine directives to manipulate and control behaviors.

YWAM, operating in about 180 countries and attracting 25,000 participants annually for short-term missions, claims to be dedicated to continuous improvement of safeguarding measures. Nonetheless, there are concerns over the decentralized structure of the organization, with local leaders wielding significant influence.

The organization’s values and training structures, which often incorporate topics like spiritual warfare and the reproofing of sin, emphasize moral conduct. YWAM’s code of conduct with the University of the Nations, the group’s unaccredited Christian university, lists various offenses, including sexual immorality, which could result in disciplinary actions.

A notable leader within YWAM, Lynn Green, authored a blog post in 2020 urging repentance from humanity for ignoring God’s laws, specifically mentioning abortion and the “homosexual agenda” as causes of destruction.

Multiple former YWAM members from various countries attest to the negative impacts of the so-called “purity culture,” including feelings of suffocation and psychological distress, raising concerns about the wellbeing of current participants. YWAM has taken steps to address the backlash, expressing regret for any harmful experiences.

The allegations have surfaced amid a campaign by YWAM called The Send UK & Ireland, which aims to recruit 100,000 young British adults for missionary work, signaling a broader cultural and structural examination of the organization’s practices.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/05/christian-missionary-group-accused-of-public-shaming-and-rituals-to-cure-sexual-sin