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We are going through some significant changes, but are excited about  what God has planned for us. We have put our trust in God, who tells us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11 NIV) And so we are "confident of this, that he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6 NIV)
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In the past several months, YWAM Tyler has walked through a significant season of change. In May 2024, our Founder, 
Leland Paris (one of the founding fathers of YWAM), stepped away from the Board of Directors and from day-to-day 
involvement in the ministry. Since then, a new leadership team of capable and gifted men and women has been established, 
committed to guiding us forward and building strong teams and leaders for the future. As with any transition, there have been 
challenges. We have been grieved to see some of our staff members leave and choose to serve elsewhere. As a result of our 
regrettable losses, we sought counsel from leaders within the wider YWAM family and worked hard to address concerns that were 
raised. Despite these efforts, some important differences remained unresolved, and on May 8, 2025, we received formal 
notification that YWAM Tyler would no longer remain affiliated with the broader Youth With A Mission global community. 
Although this outcome was not what we had hoped for, we recognize that it represents a difference in how local governance 
and leadership are understood. For us, the ability to remain faithful to the values of local leadership and autonomy has been 
central to how we carry out the ministry God has entrusted to us. We believe this conviction aligns with the heart of YWAM’s 
pioneering spirit, and it continues to shape our identity today. We remain profoundly grateful for the many decades of fruitful 
partnership with YWAM International and the countless lives that have been touched through that collaboration. We hold deep 
respect for the broader YWAM family and will continue to pray for their ongoing work around the world.

Looking forward, we are filled with faith and hope. YWAM Tyler will continue to function as an independent YWAM location, actively 
supporting missionaries worldwide through our missions giving processing department and pursuing the ministry God has given us. 
Our leadership team is strengthening our foundation and clarifying vision, so that everything we do reflects the values and calling on 
which we were founded. Most importantly, our commitment remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in obedience 
to His command in Mark 16:15—“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” We move into this new season with 
gratitude for God’s faithfulness, with anticipation for the future, and with trust that His kingdom will continue to advance through this ministry.