YWAM Nelson

We may be the new kids on the block, but we are the YWAM dream team with over 150 combined years worth of YWAM experience between the staff and leadership. Don’t take our word for it, come check us out for yourself!

About Us

In 2019, God birthed a dynamic new YWAM work here in the Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough region of New Zealand. We have a passion and zeal to see God’s presence, love and power spread throughout this region. In Maori lore, the South Island of NZ is considered the Waka (large canoe) and the Nelson area is the front or tip of the Waka. We are breaking ground physically and spiritually to see God’s Kingdom move forward in NZ and the nations of the world.

Our hearts are to see you encounter the amazing Love of God , discovering God’s purpose for your lives. The vision of this base is to carry out the YWAM mandate “to know God and make Him known”.  We want to see you equipped to take the gospel to those who have not heard.  In the process we want to be innovative, pioneering and releasing in the lives of all those who join us on this great adventure. We desire to see all generations from many regions and nations raised up to reach the world through Training, Evangelism and Mercy Ministries.

Our vision is to see people encounter God, engage cultures from all over the world, and meet other like-minded individuals who are seeking to know Him in a deeper way. Our desire is to be a powerful force championing the next wave of young and old alike to impact the globe. To see God’s power at work around the world, and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth .

Visit YWAM.org for more information about Youth with a Mission.

The Base

Our amazing God provided the perfect place for this to happen. Our new base, known as the Garindale Estate, is a home on a hill overlooking the ocean.  A number of prayer warriors saw this location in visions. In 2017 it was for sale, but sold quickly.  As the team prayed for two years, there has been a sense that it was to be a YWAM base.  Others in the community have also felt that God had a purpose for Garindale for His glory.

On 5th August 2019, the team felt to fast and pray for 3 days. On the first day of fasting, we read Joshua 1:11. “Pass through the camp and command the people, prepare your provisions, for within three days you shall pass over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.”  The second day was Ephesians 3:20.  “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”  On the third day, a woman of God unknown to our pioneering team heard from the Lord that she is to enable YWAM Nelson to own Garindale.  On the fourth day, she contacted our team and together we put in a bid for the property with the purpose of enabling YWAM Nelson to own it for a base (we had $125 in the bank!). The offer was accepted even though another bid had been made.  We took possession on 29th November 2019. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

We believe the Lord is at work in a mighty way in this region and New Zealand, and are excited for you to be a part of it!  Come and join us as we partner with the Lord to see His desire for the nations to know Him and experience His incredible Love and Presence.