The founder of the Christian youth organization Youth With a Mission has died from cancer. He was 88.
Loren Cunningham, an author and founder of the youth organization, died in his sleep in Kona, Hawaii, on Friday, Oct. 6, according to The Christian Post.
Cunningham was born in 1935 in California and came to Christianity at 13 at a revival. In 1956, he reportedly had a vision.
“Suddenly, I was looking at a map of the world, only the map was alive and moving! I could see all the continents, and waves were crashing onto their shores. Each wave went onto a continent, then receded, then came up further until it covered the continent completely,” Cunningham recounted, as quoted in the obituary.
“The waves became young people — kids my age and even younger — covering all the continents of the globe. They were talking to people on street corners and outside bars. They were going from house to house and preaching the Gospel. They came from everywhere and went everywhere, caring for people. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the scene was gone.”
Cunningham founded YWAM in 1960, and today the organization has some 2,000 chapters around the world.
“Millions have served in YWAM programs as students, short-term volunteers and full-time staff,” his obituary said. “Many have credited YWAM as among the world’s largest and most significant mission movements.”
Loren is also the author of several books, including Is That Really You, God?, Making Jesus Lord, Daring to Live on the Edge, Why Not Women?, The Book that Transforms Nations: The Power of the Bible to Change Any Country, and We Can End Bible Poverty Now.
His family announced earlier this year in March that Cunningham had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. His wife told CBN that he would not be undergoing clinical treatments.
“We have already decided as a family to prioritize Loren’s QUALITY of life over trying to extend the length of time, through chemo or other treatments that could reduce his energy and productiveness,” she said, as reported by CBN.
“He has Jesus, family, friends, and vision. Who could ask for more?”
Cunningham is survived by his wife, Darlene, children David, Karen, and Judy, and three grandchildren.
Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Alessandro Biascioli
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.