JULY 2017
WEST COAST NEWS
BUILDING A PLACE OF WORSHIP Worship as a Lifestyle Glorifying God in every aspect of your life
Expanding God’s Kingdom in Manila Momentum continues in our 2017 focus city
ywamperth.org.au
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Worship as a Lifestyle Glorifying God in every aspect of your life Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila Momentum continues in our 2017 focus city What are you Reading? Find out what our staff are reading to grow spiritually God's Dreams Coming to Life Pioneering works to come out of our leadership seminar More than Bricks and Concrete Developing properties set aside for God's purposes Happenings at YWAM Perth How we're influencing the seven spheres of society
It’s a joy to be able to send this West-
strong. We also know that He is not
coast News to you. The focus is on
responsible for the brokenness in the
building a temple of praise, wherever
world and we believe that Jesus, His
we are. The scriptures tell us that God
son, is the only one who can bring the
inhabits the praises of His people and
freedom from out of that brokenness.
that He makes a response to us as
A rapid spread of the gospel can only
we reach out to Him. I feel so incred-
come if we, the church, are prepared
ibly privileged to know our marvellous
to be brave; and this bravery, strength,
and personal God.
and courage can only be found in His presence.
Recently, we had a day of prayer here at YWAM Perth. All of our staff and
One of my favourite passages of
students gathered to worship Him
scripture is found in Joshua 1, where
and to wait on Him. God spoke about
Joshua receives the task of leading
the many things that concerned Him
the children of Israel. It was a big and
in the nations and in the releasing of
daunting task, of crossing a river in
new vision for the task set before us.
the flood, a task he may not have felt equipped to do but God came and
Throughout the day we were so
met with Joshua. God said to him,
aware of God’s big heart; of love and
“Be strong and courageous…. Be very
compassion for all peoples and we
strong and very courageous because
were all personally renewed by this
I will be with you wherever you go….”
love for us. We saw, yet again, waves
(Joshua 1:9). That is what counts; it’s
of young people growing and being
His presence. May you find Him and
equipped with the gospel, the gospel
His presence in the circumstances
that can break through the darkness,
of your life!
and bring the light and love of Jesus to the nations. Faith was built as we
Thank you for all your love and
were heard by God.
support. We love and value your friendship, and find strength in your
Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine for your
prayers for us as a mission.
light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you… ." And our prayer, in response, is: “Lord, let us carry your glory to those who have never heard.” We all know and believe that God is
by Shirley Brownhill Director of Youth With A Mission Perth
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Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship as a Lifestyle Through this life of worship, God is welcome in all aspects of our lives. But what does that actually look like?
God’s deep and powerful love for us compels us to find an appropriate way to respond. Worship can be one of those ways as we respond to our knowledge of who God is. But worship is more than just an allotted time to sing songs of praise. We have been called to a lifestyle: Living in a way that glorifies our heavenly Father, worshipping Him at all times and in many ways. Through this life of worship, God is welcome in all aspects of our lives. But what does that actually look like? How do we worship a God that is so worthy of all that we are? Richard is one of the worship leaders here at YWAM Perth. We sat down to talk about the worthiness of God, personal and community worship, and how we might build our lives as places of praise.
Interview with Richard Blake
Worship as a Lifestyle
"GOD ISN'T ON THE THRONE BECAUSE WE WORSHIP HIM; WE WORSHIP GOD BECAUSE HE IS ON THE THRONE."
WORTHY OF WORSHIP
above all else, meaning He is superior
– plants, animals, land. “He speaks
In order to live a life of worship, we
than anything and everything. God isn’t
all these things, but when it comes to
must know who we are worshipping.
on the throne because we worship
making us, He gets down in the earth
And even through the act of worship,
Him; we worship God because He is
and He gets his hands dirty and then…
we come to know God more. There
on the throne. When we worship, we
beyond comprehension, God breathed
are so many amazing things about
are affirming that He is the King.
into man, into his nostrils, a living
God that lead us to want to worship
spirit.”, Richard commented. That re-
Him: He is good, holy, faithful, and lov-
God is sacrificing. Jesus gave up
quires a physical closeness, showing
ing, among so many other qualities.
all to come to earth, and then gave
the intimacy that our Father desires to
Here are three aspects of God’s char-
up that life to die for our sins. His
have with His children.
acter Richard highlighted, that compel
sacrifice wasn’t only in His death,
us to respond to Him: God is exalted,
but in His life on Earth. Through that
He is sacrificing, and He is relational.
sacrifice, Jesus gave us an example
CREATING SPACE FOR GOD the
of a life lived with our heavenly Father.
appropriate response to knowing Him
God is exalted. “For by him all things
Through His sacrifice in death, He
“To think that the creator of the uni-
were created, in heaven and on earth,
gave us a way to that relationship with
verse, the one who spoke the stars into
visible and invisible … all things were
Him. We worship God through taking
being, that dreamed of me in eternity,
created through him and for him. And
the opportunity He has given us to be
that created me, and made me – my
he is before all things, and in him all
in relationship with the Father.
creator would actually give me the
things hold together. And he is the head
opportunity to create a space for him.” ,
of the body, the church. He is the begin-
God is relational. From the beginning
Richard emphasised that the ap-
ning, the firstborn from the dead, that
of Genesis, we see how much God
propriate response to knowing God’s
in everything he might be preeminent.”
loves us through the intimate act of
character is worship, and in that, He
(1 Colossians 1:16-18) God is exalted
creation. First, He creates the world
shows us more of Himself.
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Worship as a Lifestyle
By praising God through all areas
intimacy with God. When we choose
of our lives, He is truly Lord of all.
not to live in holiness, it means we are
We can be the dwelling space of the
putting something else higher than
living God. How amazing! It is such
God, and we cease to worship Him.
an overwhelming thought to remind ourselves of: God inhabits the praises
Love for others. Jesus said in John
of His people. This space created
13:35, “By this, all people will know
is not just for a particular place or
that you are my disciples if you have
time, but for all areas of life. When
love for one another.” God’s love for us
we integrate worship into our lives, it
and our love for Him are our motiva-
transforms our perspective, choices,
tion to live a holy life, worthy of who
and relationships.
He is. From this intimacy with our heavenly Father, we have all confi-
Here are a few practical ways that
dence to be able to give of ourselves
worship can manifest in our daily lives
in love for others. This is what makes
as we live a lifestyle responding to
it possible for us to love even the
God’s character.
hardest of people. It is said of love that it hopes and believes all things (1
Love for God. Our knowledge of God’s
Corinthians 13:7); as we love people
love should bring us to love Him
that God created in His likeness, we
in return. The foundational reason
honour Him.
why we worship needs to be out of understanding His love for us. If it comes from somewhere else, say,
WORSHIPPING IN COMMUNITY
power or fear, our response would
Individuals represent God. The Isra-
not be to live a life worthy of the love
elites, though individuals, were also
we have received. God’s love for us is
called to represent God through their
active, so our love for Him will inspire
lives as a nation. Their individual and
action as well. God’s love for us is
corporate identity were found in God,
overwhelming! It is a love that breeds
becoming a country defined by the
confidence. As Richard said, “Never
One they worshipped. “That’s what
have I been so confident as when I
makes God’s people, God’s people –
have heard ‘I love you’ from the Lord.”
that they worship Him.”, said Richard And every nation around them knew
Purity. As we develop a close relation-
it – not just from the way they spent
ship with God, we learn more and
time in worship, but the way they
grow in our desire to live in holiness.
were called to live differently
The way we choose to live is based
as a nation.
on what we value. When we worship as a lifestyle, we are giving God value
Psalm 133 says, “Behold, how good
above all else in our life. As we value
and pleasant it is when brothers
God and our relationship with Him,
dwell together in unity … for there the
we value holiness as it is our way to
Lord has commanded the blessing,
Worship as a Lifestyle
life forevermore.” God has called us to unity, and worshipping together in agreement of His character is an effective way to reach unity. A unity that would honour God is one that extends beyond the “time” of worship into how we relate to one another.
"From the overflow of worship, a community flourishes in its relationships." As we hear God speak to us in unity, we grow in our ability to see the needs around us, loving and caring for one another in a way that God would. Worship is to reflect Jesus. As we take that into our everyday relationships, work, and choices, the whole world will benefit from that reflection. We worship out of God’s character, which causes us to love Him, live in holiness, and extend our love to the communities and people around us.
TIME TO REFLECT: by Samantha McQueen Staff at YWAM Perth
»» What do I know to be true about God that inspires me to worship Him? »» How can I expand my worship beyond set times each week? »» Have I created a space in my life where God can inhabit my thoughts, emotions, and difficulties? »» Is there anything that would hinder my worship of God as a lifestyle? »» How do I grow in my love for the Lord so that my worship would increase?
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Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila
Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila
Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila Megacities always partners, in every city we focus on, with the local body of Christ. Together, we invite the presence of God into the very streets of the city, looking for Him to move through miracles, discipleship, and salvation. This results in people inspired to know God and get to know Him in full. Here is a small glimpse into many stories of how God is revealing Himself, drawing people near, and inspiring them to carry His message on. Our teams have experienced the power of God
together once a month. After working with Meg-
as they share the gospel throughout Manila. As
acities teams for the last five months, they can
we invite God to make Himself known, He shows
no longer fit all of their people in the auditorium.
up. A pastor from Navotas, a low-income harbour
They have to find a new venue to fit everyone who
region, shared with beaming joy how his church
has been saved! Another pastor has shared that
had seen God do incredible miracles while going
before teams came, his church was very empty,
out with a Megacities team that who specialised
but since Megacities teams have come alongside
in health care. The team was treating illnesses
him, the church is full.
with hands-on medical care while also praying for patients and sharing the gospel. While the
As over 9,000 people have given their life to
church members had a history of reaching out
Christ, church members have been inspired to
through evangelism, this time they prayed for the
continue preaching the gospel even after teams
sick, together with the Megacities team. As they
go home. In the northeast part of Metro Manila
prayed, God healed. The pastor reports that they
Plus, in an area called Montalban, local Christian
saw blind people receive their sight, a miracle that
youth joined Megacities teams on the streets of
has now filled these church members with a new
their community. The teams aimed to mobilise
fire and passion for sharing about Jesus.
the youth to lead people to the Lord, pray for the sick and live like Jesus. Together, they saw God
In another report, a pastor in the northern area of Quezon leads a church network that meets
do incredible things.
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Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila
A pastor told how a local man who was para-
Over 70 teams have come in the first 6 months
lysed received prayer, and the man rose and
of Megacities Manila. Thousands of people have
walked, much to the awe of the local Chris-
been saved and there have been over 600 recorded
tians. The youth from his church were energised
healings, but there are still so many stories yet to be
for evangelism. After the most recent Megacities
told. Six months are left of Megacities in Manila. We
team left, the Filipino youth didn’t want to stop
need more teams to increase the momentum and
praying for people and sharing the gospel. They
help continue the transformation to fill every corner
organised their own outreach and have been
of this huge, influential city of Asia. Would you like to
going out to share the love of Jesus like never
join us? Please follow the links on the right to learn
before, recently leading another 11 people to the
more about how you can share your love for God
Lord in one day.
with the people of Manila.
by Rod Lobaugh Leader of Megacities Ministry
Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila
1,416 12,268 14,586 37,887 50,619 47,076 10,218 5,556 5,176 917
HRS OF TEACHING MERCY MINISTRY & HEALTH CARE EVANGELISTIC MATERIAL GIVEN OUT PEOPLE TAUGHT PEOPLE HEARD THE GOSPEL
PRAYERS FOR NEED SALVATIONS
HRS OF PRAYER
BIBLES GIVEN
INSTANT HEALINGS
MEGACITIES MANILA
We have sent 70 teams to Manila this year. Here are the statistics from January to July so far. For more information as to how you can be involved with Megacities in Manila, please contact: info@megacities.org.au www.megacities.org.au
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Expanding God's Kingdom in Manila
QUOTES FROM CHURCH LEADERS IN MANILA
"
“We have seen more people come to our church, and
“These young people are doing what we’re sup-
more children as well. The best thing that Megacities
posed to be doing in the community. So now we as
has done is to inspire our youth to do street evange-
a church will be doing some realigning!”
lism and to have a heart to win souls. The word of God is being preached to people. When our young
“We were able to plant a church in a Muslim com-
people joined the Megacities teams they have been
munity. The team went to this area a lot, doing a
compelled to share the gospel. The teams have trig-
feeding program with the kids and sharing with
gered their heart for evangelism.”
them about Jesus. The parents came up to me and asked me – “Why do you only share with the kids,
“We have new people coming to church. We’ve also
not with us?” I was surprised as it was my first time
planted new cell groups where the team has been
going to this area. So we continued to visit this area
doing clinics. We want to be able to disciple those
again and again, and through our regular visits we
that have been saved. The first Megacities team
have been able to lead people to Jesus and start a
prayed for a paralysed man who was healed. He now
small house church of 15 adults and many children.
attends church.”
This area is close to a mosque, and the local imams
"
have come to welcome us and to tell us we could “We are so inspired by the teams that have come. We
have church whenever we wanted as long as it
appreciate the partnership with the local churches
wasn’t on Friday. The teams have an anointing to
and young people. These young people are very
see breakthrough!”
young but they have a passion for our people. We are so touched by that.”
What are you reading?
WHAT ARE YOU READING? GROWING IN WISDOM “HEARING GOD” BY DALLAS WILLARD "It’s about having a continual conversation with God, the different ways we can hear God’s voice, and not limiting how God speaks today. There’s a lot of theological things he brings into it, looking at different theological streams like the Pentecostal movement and Protestant movement, but it also has some really simple truths in it. God speaks through whatever means – He speaks to you! You can have a continual conversation with Him throughout the day. You can cultivate that through a number of different means: through meditations, through your time with God in the morning, through listening to the inner voice of God, or through dreams and visions."
“MERE CHRISTIANITY” BY C.S. LEWIS
“WITH” BY SKYE JETHANI
“SURPRISED BY HOPE” BY N. T. WRIGHT
"Morals are not just a culturally learnt
"The whole point of the book is that
"The gospel is bigger than we think
behaviour, they have to have some sort
we have different views of God and
and it’s not just about our future
of centre and standard. This book talks
we see ourselves in different pos-
in heaven. The Good News is also
about moral issues, and about how
tures, in relation to Him. The reality is
about redemption. This book talks
people believe that morals are just good
that God just wants to be with us. The
about our views on what happens af-
behaviour; that good deeds are just good
book is all about relationship and inti-
ter death and how it affects the way
morals. I really like C.S Lewis and how he
macy with God. God is not a means to
that we live today. Though a heavy
chooses not to use Christian language.
our happiness but He is the goal; He
read, Wright presents it in clear ways.
As a philosopher, he unpacks the fact that
is everything. And so the whole push
It’s expanded what the gospel is for
God is that standard."
of the book is “with-ness” with God
me and the way I read the Bible, and
and about how we can experience
has definitely moved onto my list of
“with-ness” with Him."
very pivotal books, changing the way that I think."
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God's dreams coming to Life
God's Dreams coming to Life
"True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders." – I am not sure who said this but I would say it is true of Peter Brownhill. Pete has been in missions for almost 40 years. During that time, he has himself pioneered a number of projects and ministries – YWAM Perth being just one of these. More recently he has led two, 9 months Leadership and Pioneering schools and two, 6 week Leadership and Pioneering seminars. Through these schools and seminars, he has been multiplying leaders who are now multiplying more leaders in various nations around the world. Pete is not just someone who leads out in the "get out there and do it" part of leadership but also the character a leader needs to do these things. He is incredibly humble, yet fierce in perseverance; gentle, kind and gracious, yet bold in speaking truth and calling people to walk in God's truth and holiness. He stands up for God's character and is loyal and obedient despite his own frailties and struggles. He is someone who is real and gives hope to others who want to lead and aspire to follow God wholeheartedly in pioneering new things and going to the hard places. Led by Pete and inspired by his journey in leadership, you can read below about some of the projects that students from this year's Leadership and Pioneering Seminar (LAPS)are launching into. by Colleen Noblet Elder at YWAM Perth Accommodation, Personnel & Ministry Development School Leader
God's dreams coming to Life
The students of the LAPS this year
Many of the students could relate to
God’s direction to see her vision
came from all corners of the globe,
God’s process in preparing Moses to
come to life.
from all generations, with different
be a leader. Moses left his country
experiences in leadership. They came
and family, sought wisdom and
Ethan Marana came with the desire to
with many different visions from God,
direction from God, and listened as
start up a cultural dance ministry, a
from café communities to French
God spoke in great detail. The result
ministry focused on redeeming Poly-
magazines, international surf move-
was that God had a place of dwelling
nesian and other cultural dances. He
ments to fashion designing, dance
among His people. As the students
did not expect that God would grow
schools to administration training,
have learned to invite God deeply into
his vision to include mission mobili-
church planting to production studios.
their visions, in turn God will create
sation tours, a Discipleship Training
Their dreams varied greatly, but all
places of dwelling as they influence
School, and potentially a course that
revolved around the same purpose.
society around them.
looks at the principles of cultural re-
What unified this group was their desire to see God’s word and ways lived out and His kingdom established in all the earth.
demption. Ethan recognises that the Kara Bowie came with a burden to
plan God has given him must begin in
see an end to gendercide in India.
a place of prayer, intimately seeking
As a 23 year old woman, she was
God for each step of the way.
quite overwhelmed with the greatness of this issue. After speaking
Charis and Zach Ifland are a part of
with God and the experienced lead-
the leadership team of Surfing the
ers surrounding her, she is taking
Nations, a non-profit organisation.
Many of the students commented
small steps to begin a ministry that
Though they are not new to working
that this season has challenged them
will use midwifery, counselling, train-
in ministry or leadership, they came
to walk intimately with their creator
ing and advocacy to reach women
with a desire to learn from seasoned
– to not only learn how to bring their
and families in all 627 omega zones
leaders and to better understand the
dreams into reality but to be living in a
of India. With a population of 1.3
foundation of their ministry. They
manner that is worthy of God’s calling
billion people, Kara, like Moses, will
are now planning to start five new
on their lives.
need to be dedicated to seeking
campuses in five different countries
"AS THE STUDENTS HAVE LEARNED TO INVITE GOD DEEPLY INTO THEIR VISIONS, IN TURN GOD WILL CREATE PLACES OF DWELLING AS THEY INFLUENCE SOCIETY AROUND THEM."
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God's dreams coming to Life
within the next five years, which is
disciples of Jesus – not numbers or
His home to be made in all areas
quite the endeavour with two young
buildings, but helping to shape people
of society and into all the ends of
boys to raise.
who love and obey God and love and
the earth.
respect others. Kellie Williams began with the desire to start a YWAM campus in the south
We are so excited about what God
of the USA focused on spiritual map-
is doing through these students, and
ping. Throughout the six weeks, God
excited about the process God has
has broadened her vision to forming
taken them on personally in preparing
a campus to train 200 people a year
to step out in faith. Please be praying
in biblical principles. God spoke to
with us for this group of pioneers, and
her through her time on the LAPS
the many others, as God continues to
that the fruit of her ministry should be
release them out into the nations for
by Chelsea Woolcott Staff at YWAM
For more informations on LAPS www.ywamperth.org.au/laps
More than Bricks & Concrete
MORE THAN BRICKS & CONCRETE As God increases the number of missionaries that serve with YWAM Perth we are busy making space for them to live lives of worship in training and ministry. We pray that this would be a place of worship where young people can come into the presence of Jesus, be transformed, and sent out into the nations. It’s more than just bricks and concrete, beds, desks and classrooms. It’s all about building a community of believers that testify to the goodness of God in the city of Perth. It was God who led us to this neighbourhood within the city of Perth. It is a place He has set aside for His divine purposes. We have been led to purchase and lease various warehouses and homes in this area in order to accommodate the growing number of missionaries. Currently, we are constructing housing at 159 Claisebrook Road. It will be home to thousands of missionaries over the lifetime of the building. Also, we have a long term lease on a warehouse at 142 Summers Street, which we will transform to house approximately 200 trainee missionaries every year. These facilities are more than just lodging for staff and students. They will be beautiful places that reveal the glory of God, and shine the light of His good news into the surrounding community. In the early stages of our property development,
we believed that God was speaking to us about His glory residing in our midst; that our accommodation would be places of worship, places of revelation where God meets with His people. It is our prayer and desire that all who stay here will meet with God on their beds, in their kitchens and in the community living throughout the properties. Many will be called to His beauty and holiness as the living God dwells with us. Our properties are more than bricks and concrete, they represent consecrated land. That means they are set apart for God. As we build and develop properties with joy in our hearts, worship on our lips, and excellence in our construction, we will be declaring the character of God to the city around us. Our desire is that people will acknowledge God and begin to worship Him as they enter our neighbourhood.
by Cliff Wrener Project Manager for 159 Claisebrook
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Happenings at YWAM Perth
HAPPENINGS AT YWAM PERTH At YWAM Perth, we believe that God wants to make Himself known in all areas of society. Here is a glimpse at some of the ways God is influencing different areas of society through us!
FAMILY
EDUCATION
ECONOMICS
COMMUNICATION
GOVERNMENT
CELEBRATION
RELIGION
UNITED STATES
INDIA
AUSTRALIA
The Birth Attendant School has been
The sports ministry has been going
We took Judah and Johanna, both
able to build a relationship with a
to the same school to do after-school
aged twelve, on an evangelism walk
family in Zambia over the past few
soccer for about two years. We have
where we met and talked to some
years. We did a prenatal checkup on
seen so much transformation in the
ladies and their grandsons.
the mother in 2014 and were there
students since we started there!
Over the next few days, one of the
when she delivered the baby. We
Through simply sharing our stories
grandsons joined us for church
have checked up with her each year
and playing sport with them, we can
services. I asked him if he’d ever given
since then. On our most recent trip to
see now that they choose a different
his life to Jesus. He said no, but that
Zambia, we were able to minister to
lifestyle than the other students.
he’d like to. From there, we were able
the mother and she re-committed to following Jesus!
to walk him through prayer.
Happenings at YWAM Perth
SWITZERLAND
GERMANY
UNITED KINGDOM
The School of Frontier Media just got
The Megacities ministry has been
I did the YPDTS in January of 2010,
back from our outreach in Indonesia.
partnering with three churches in the
and I currently work as a Manage-
We created a documentary film to
Perth area to help them work togeth-
ment Consultant. In a business
inspire the local youth to follow God’s
er and develop a strategy to better
culture that celebrates the selfish pur-
call on their lives to other nations.
serve their community. Currently, we
suit of one’s career, I created a team
With the help of our great contacts,
are doing community surveys to get
where if one of us fails, we all fail, and
we’re excited to see this film spread to
an idea of what the residents would
if one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
churches throughout Indonesia!
like to see in their area. Through that
This led to my team being one of the
feedback, the churches partnered
most successful in the business, and
together and put on a sports clinic.
to many opportunities to pray with the
The reception by the community was
members of my team outside of the
great, and the church members are
9-to-5 context.
encouraged that God is moving in their neighbourhood!
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JULY 2017
WEST COAST NEWS
LEARN HOW – AND WHY – GOD CAN BE WORSHIPPED
beyond a set time of singing praise. (p.4)
AN UPDATE FROM MANILA:
God reveals Himself, draws people near, and inspires them to carry His message on. (p.8)
LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
Check out some of our staff’s top recommendations (p.13) “TRUE LEADERS DON’T CREATE MORE FOLLOWERS, THEY CREATE MORE LEADERS.”
Read about expansion of vision through the Leadership and Pioneering Seminar run by our base leader, Pete Brownhill (p.14) If you want to support the work of YWAM Perth financially, please visit secure.ywamperth.org.au/ payments or email partners@ywamperth.org.au
www.ywamperth.org.au Do you prefer email over print? please email partners@ywamperth.org.au