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Youngren Ministries Celebrates 30 Years
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By Grace Boneschansker
Peter Youngren’s World Impact Ministries is celebrating 30 years of ministry and evangelism. Through international festivals and conferences, the ministry estimates that millions have been reached with the Word of God.
In September 1974, Youngren held his first crusade at Dixon Gospel Temple in Toronto, pastored by George Tunks. Since then, Youngren says, “God blessed our effort on Dixon Road and what happened there led to openings all across Canada and eventually around the world.”
Using a very basic format, the festivals are actually crusade-type services. Music begins playing approximately an hour before the service to set the tone. After a time of worship, Youngren shares stories with the participants of what God has done. These messages “bring such faith to the audience that spontaneous miracles start occurring,” Youngren says.
“It is not unusual that a pair of crutches or an empty wheelchair interrupts the service toward the end of my presentation.” The program proceeds to a healing service, the sharing of testimonies and an emphasis on the gifts of the spirit. Youngren then speaks to the audience about their need for Christ and gives an altar call. “When I minister in non-Christian countries, it is not unusual that 90 percent or more of the audience responds to the gospel call,” he says.
Youngren also has a television show through Dominion Media that is broadcast to over 70 countries. The show, which features interviews, overseas gospel festivals and services from their Celebration Church, has been airing for just over ten years.
Leadership training is also a vital aspect of the ministry. There is a heavy emphasis on missions. To date, more than 140,000 pastors have been trained through seminars. Youngren’s World Bible Institute, also instrumental in leadership training, has been operating since 1988. He founded the Bible College because he felt at that, in the future, there would be a “great harvest [of souls] that is coming to our country and the world.”
The school has trained about 2,300 students who are now ministering in more than 60 countries and is affiliated with Florida Christian University. Through this affiliation, graduates can receive credits toward a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree.
In addition to the crusades, institute, and television program, Youngren has established two churches. His first affiliation was with the Swedish Pentecostal church. Currently, Youngren holds his credentials with the Open Bible Faith Fellowship, a group that Youngren says works “with great generosity and faith toward one another.” Since its inception in 1990, Youngren’s Niagara Celebration Church has experienced explosive growth.
Their Toronto International Celebration Church has also grown dramatically since its start in September of 2000. It boasts attendance from just a few members in the beginning to between 3,000 and 4,000 people now at both churches. These churches have a variety of ministries including Alpha.
Youngren is also editor of Celebrate magazine, published quarterly. He is an author and has written Bible study manuals for believers and a number of other books including, Salvation—God’s Gift to You for new Christians.
“We’ve seen more than 11 million people come to the Lord,” says Youngren. “On several occasions we’ve ministered to a whole nation—from the Head of State to the common man.” He adds: “We are very careful to give God all the credit for all of the good that He has done and I look forward with great anticipation to the next 30 years.”
Grace Boneschansker is a contributing writer for Maranatha News. |
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