A prominent Christian missionary organization, Youth With a Mission (YWAM), has recently come under scrutiny following accusations of public shaming, spiritual abuse, and rituals aimed at “curing” sexual sin.
These claims, spanning over two decades, have been detailed in multiple news reports, shedding light on the experiences of young volunteers who joined the group for training and mission work.
The allegations have sparked widespread concern and prompted responses from YWAM leadership, though questions remain about the organization’s practices and accountability.
According to an exclusive report by The Guardian published on April 5, 2025, former missionaries allege that YWAM subjected young volunteers—many of whom joined during gap years—to controlling behaviors and spiritually abusive practices.
The article highlights accounts of regular “confession sessions” where participants were pressured to publicly disclose perceived moral failings, including homosexual thoughts, sexual activity, abortions, and pornography use. Other “sins” reportedly included disobeying leaders or harboring “rebellious thoughts.”
Those who confessed were often questioned further and required to issue public apologies, a process described as deeply humiliating by those involved.
The Guardian report also notes specific rituals aimed at addressing sexual orientation, with some volunteers claiming they were subjected to practices intended to “cure” homosexuality.
These allegations align with broader concerns about the group’s adherence to “traditional Christian views on sexuality and marriage,” as acknowledged by a YWAM spokesperson in England.
The spokesperson stated that the organization is reviewing how it communicates these beliefs to avoid causing “shame or rejection” and condemned any practices that traumatize individuals or link their identity to demonic influence.
However, the response has done little to quell criticism from former members who say the damage has already been done.
Additional reporting from sources like Faithfully Magazine, which covered the story on April 6, 2025, corroborates these claims, emphasizing the emotional toll on volunteers.
The magazine highlighted how some individuals disclosed deeply personal experiences—such as surviving sexual assault—only to have these revelations used in group settings as part of “repentance and forgiveness” rituals.
This, critics argue, represents a misuse of vulnerability and a pattern of psychological manipulation.
The allegations are not limited to the UK. A 2021 investigation into YWAM’s Perth, Australia base—one of the largest in the world—revealed similar issues, according to The Guardian.
That scrutiny arose after claims that leaders instructed alleged victims of sexual misconduct to apologize to their attackers for supposedly “leading them on.”
This incident, combined with the recent closure of a UK base amid spiritual abuse claims, suggests a systemic problem within the organization’s global network.
Posts on X have amplified public reaction to the story, with users expressing a mix of alarm and outrage.
One user remarked on April 5, 2025, that while the revelations were “alarming,” they were “not surprising” given the history of such groups. Another described the practices as damaging, pointing to the long-term impact on those involved.
These sentiments reflect a broader skepticism about the accountability of religious organizations operating with significant autonomy.
In response to the allegations, YWAM leaders in England told The Guardian that they have “implemented stricter oversight mechanisms” following the closure of one problematic base.
They also emphasized that confession should never involve public shaming or coerced apologies. Yet, for many former volunteers, these measures feel insufficient and belated, especially given the two-decade span of the reported abuses.
