Jesus’ disciples came back to him raving about all of the ways they’d seen God move, they were excited. He told them that the fields were white and ready for harvest, and that they should pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers.

Across the Pacific, we’ve benefitted from generations of missionaries coming from across the globe to share the gospel of a dead and risen Jesus, a God-become-man who lived a faultless life and brought redemption to all through a brutal death.

We’ve seen missionaries give their lives to share this gospel across the liquid continent. John Williams was eaten for the gospel on Erromango. What followed was Samoan missionaries sharing the gospel on many of the islands of Vanuatu.

We’ve seen modern missionaries launch from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea into some of the most unfriendly fields for Christian missionaries. They have gone out with a depth of love and commitment which is beautiful and inspiring.

At every stage of missionaries going, there has been a movement of prayer driving them, supporting them, fighting the spiritual battle to keep them safe. It is clear that without prayer, missions cannot grow, go, succeed, or continue.

As we reflect on mission movements around the Pacific, we see a gap. While the gospel is well established in Vanuatu, while the nation declares itself culturally and politically Christian, there has not been a strong sending of missionaries as from other pacific nations.

As believers and missionaries, we must pray.
It is time to pray that the Lord will raise up a generation of believers who are no longer satisfied with the faith of their mothers and fathers.
It is time to pray for the Lord to raise up a generation of young people who are no longer satisfied simply receiving the blessing of salvation, who are no longer comfortable keeping the good news of Jesus to themselves.
It is time to pray for a generation who are ready to declare the goodness of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to anyone who will listen; a generation who are willing to walk the road of discipleship with new believers.
It is time to pray for a generation of ni-Vanuatu who are will to go into the world not only to send money home and make a better life for their families, but who will go without expectation of earthly reward, to bless the people who receive them with riches which do not rot and rust.
It is time to pray for a generation of ni-Vanuatu missionaries to go with the hope, love and life of Jesus into the most difficult to reach nations and peoples.
It is time to pray for a generation of Melanesian missionaries who will go, not concerned by what they leave behind, but willing to give as much as they can for the sake of just-one-more person learning to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ.

So will you join us praying?
Pray that a new generation of Melanesian missionaries would step into the life of discipleship, faith, generosity, and joy that God has for them.
Pray that the body of Christ in Vanuatu would catch the vision for sending missionaries into the nations.
Pray that the body of Christ in Vanuatu would disciple their young people with Matthew 28 in mind: that they will be prepared, equipped, and sent into all the world to share the good news of the Kingdom of God, discipling all nations to live fully in His goodness.

Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send the workers, because the fields are white and ready for harvest.

In 2005, Tony had already been here for years. He wasn’t a local, but he wasn’t a stranger either. Roger and Ben were new. All three had a similar sense of God moving to establish YWAM in Vanuatu.
So with some regional YWAM leaders’ support, Youth With a Mission Vanuatu began.

Since then, we’ve seen dozens of Discipleship Training Schools run. We’ve had bases in large villages, on tiny islands, and in the middle of town.

Today you’ll find YWAM spread across Vanuatu.

The most formal expression is found at Marine Reach: their Family Care Centre runs DTS, Bible Corse Course, and health care training. In addition, they provide regular primary health care clinics to small communities.

Just down the road you’ll find V2 Life: opened with a vision to see young Melanesians launched into the most challenging mission fields, they have a heart for sustainable development training and the bible. In addition, they operate a growing K-6 primary school and have visions for a secondary school too.

In Port Vila you can find Tony and many other YWAMers doing discipleship and life in the spheres of society.

On Santo, you’ll find Lemy, Megan, and their family: they’re connected in long term ministry in Luganville. Down the road Selvin and her family have unique opportunities for childrens’ and young peoples’ ministry in remote communities.

Where is the Lord calling you to serve?