by Craig Blair | Sep 29, 2026 | Places and Projects, Thrive
One young man. A persistent leader. A God who never gave up.
Sometimes the greatest evidence of God’s faithfulness is found in a life that seems to have every reason to go in another direction.
During a YWAM outreach from Cartagena, Colombia, a young Venezuelan named Uli encountered the Gospel and chose to follow Jesus. Wanting to grow in his faith, he traveled to Cartagena to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS).
After completing his DTS, Uli returned to Venezuela. But stepping back into his old environment brought powerful pressures. Surrounded by people and influences that pulled him away from the life he had begun in Christ, Uli eventually returned to his former way of living.
Yet God had not finished writing his story.
The director of YWAM Cartagena believed so strongly in Uli that he made reaching out to him a priority. Rather than allowing distance or disappointment to end the relationship, he continued sending letters and teams to encourage Uli and remind him of the hope and purpose found in Jesus.
Eventually, Uli returned to Cartagena and enrolled in another DTS.
This time, his faith continued to take root. His passion for the Bible grew, and after joining YWAM staff, he completed a Discipleship Bible School. His love for Scripture led him to become a teacher, and eventually, the leader of the Bible school in Cartagena.
But God’s work in Uli’s life didn’t stop with his own transformation.
Uli has since helped establish 15 Bible programs throughout Latin America, equipping others to grow in God’s Word and multiply disciples across the region.
What began with one outreach team and one young man became a story of restoration, perseverance, and multiplication. Uli’s journey reminds us that discipleship is not always a straight line. The people around us can profoundly influence our direction, but God’s grace, faithful discipleship, and the persistence of those who believe in us can open a new path.
Sometimes, believing in someone means continuing to reach out when they have lost their way. Through one leader’s commitment to Uli and God’s transforming work in his life, what began as a single outreach encounter has grown into a multiplying ministry established throughout Latin America.
Strengthening the Ministry for Greater Impact
Since the beginning of 2026, Leadership13 has been working alongside the YWAM Cartagena leadership team. As the ministry has grown, the need for greater clarity in structure and systems has also increased. The leadership team has made significant progress in strengthening areas that needed attention and moving the ministry forward.
With a dedicated team already in place, this season is focused on building a healthy foundation for continued growth and lasting impact.
At MBI, we believe that strengthening ministries behind the scenes helps create the environment where lives can be transformed, leaders can be equipped, and the Gospel can multiply throughout the nations.
by Craig Blair | May 5, 2026 | Places and Projects, Thrive
In late February 2026, a team of skilled volunteers from YWAM Lakeside in Montana and the MBI main office traveled to San Francisco to help complete a much-needed project at a YWAM ministry serving in the heart of the city.
Nearly 20 years ago, YWAM San Francisco purchased a 100-year-old building in the Tenderloin district. Recently, the ministry celebrated paying off the mortgage—making it possible, at last, to begin reinvesting in the building itself.
Meanwhile, the needs in the neighborhood have only grown. Drug use, poverty, and homelessness have steadily increased across San Francisco. During the COVID pandemic, many individuals experiencing homelessness were relocated to the Tenderloin, placing YWAM San Francisco right at the center of a growing crisis.
Today, ministry happens right outside their front door.
Each Thursday, their main meeting room transforms into a bustling food distribution center. Heavy pallets of food and supplies are moved in and out as hundreds of people come through the doors—seeking shelter from the weather, a meal, a shower, and a human connection. It’s in this same space that relationships are built, and the gospel is shared week after week.
As volunteer Andrew Hobby observed, “They are a caring group of staff who are selflessly serving this community.”
But that vital space was in rough shape.
The main floor—covering about 4,000 square feet—had not been renovated since the building was purchased. Years of heavy use had taken their toll, and the floor was in urgent need of repair. While the staff could handle small maintenance issues, a project of this scale was beyond their capacity. Professional estimates to re-epoxy the floor exceeded $100,000.
That’s where the volunteer team came in.
After hearing about the need, John Briggs, a board member for YWAM San Francisco, connected with Ben Walther of YWAM Lakeside. Ben quickly organized a team of eight volunteers from YWAM Lakeside and MBI, ready to donate their time and skills.
From the moment they arrived, the team got to work.
They began by cutting out and replacing damaged sections of the floor, then securing the entire surface to the floor joists. After sanding everything down, they applied a base coat of epoxy, added decorative paint chips, and finished with two additional coats for durability. Along the way, they also replaced broken ceiling tiles and spray-painted the ceiling black, giving the space a complete refresh.
During the renovation, ministry activities had to pause—something the surrounding community noticed immediately.
People knocked on the doors, hoping to come inside, unaware of the work underway.
Volunteer Luke Bosma recalled, “When people found out what we were doing, they became very excited. You could see how invested they were in this space and how grateful they were for what it provides.”
That response left an impression on the entire team.
Volunteer Benjamin Arnold was especially impacted—not just by the work, but by the perseverance of the ministry staff serving those struggling with homelessness and addiction. He reflected on how difficult it can feel to share the gospel with people who seem unreachable.
Then he heard a story that changed his perspective.
Benjamin shared:
“When it comes to homeless ministry, I often feel like Jeremiah, talking about broken cisterns that cannot hold water. It can feel like a waste of time to share the gospel with someone who is out of their mind on drugs. But this is what YWAM San Francisco does week after week, year after year.
“I asked one of the missionaries, Kent, if he had ever seen any fruit from their efforts. He told me about a man named Rex who used to come to their street services while high on drugs—hunched over and completely unresponsive. Kent often felt like talking to him was a waste of time.
“Eventually, Rex stopped coming. People assumed he had died from an overdose, and the community even held a memorial service for him.
“But a year later, Kent saw Rex again—alive.
“Rex explained that he had overdosed and nearly died in the hospital. While there, he encountered Jesus. The only thing he remembered was the gospel message he had heard at those street services. In that moment, he gave his life to the Lord.
“Today, more than 13 years later, Rex is sober, walking with Jesus, and serving the homeless on the streets of San Francisco.”
For Benjamin, that story was a turning point.
In a place that often feels defined by hopelessness, it was a reminder that God is still at work—still drawing people to Himself, even when no one can see it.
By the end of the week, the physical transformation of the space was complete—but the impact went beyond the floor itself.
Andrew Hobby reflected, “This was a big project to complete in a short amount of time. There’s nothing worse than leaving a job unfinished, but God was faithful and helped us complete it—even though everyone on the team got sick at some point. What we accomplished in one week was such a blessing to the staff. It gave them a real boost of energy just having us there.”
Now, the ministry has a renewed space ready to serve the community for years to come.
Luke Bosma summed it up this way: “This experience showed the power of volunteering. This was a necessary project that likely wouldn’t have happened this soon otherwise. We were able to use practical skills to support something that will impact lives for years. It was a privilege to be part of what God is doing in the Tenderloin.”
by Becky Hefty | Feb 2, 2026 | Places and Projects, Thrive
“The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, those with leprosy are cleansed, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Luke 7:22)
These are the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Luke after John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” In His reply to John, Jesus pointed to the evidence of lives being changed all around Him.
At MBI, we are reminded of the miracles Jesus performed while He was walking among us when we hear reports of lives being changed in the YWAM locations we partner with and serve around the world.
One YWAM ministry that is seeing amazing evidence of God’s hand at work is YWAM Ships Kona. Over the years, MBI has sent volunteers to serve with YWAM Ships to help them thrive.
Here is a one-minute time-lapse of a life being transformed aboard their medical ship this past year. (They really do look like busy little bees!)
Directors Brett and Karen Curtis recently told us:
“When our ships appear on the horizon, hope is literally arriving in these island communities. Volunteers from the Americas, the Pacific, Asia, Europe, and beyond step onto shore together—a beautiful picture of the nations serving side by side to bring healing.
“And then comes the moment that says it all: the eye patch comes off just one day after surgery. In that instant, a life is changed. A gift of sight is restored—a gift that will bless someone for the rest of their life.
“Here is a grandfather seeing his granddaughter’s face for the very first time. Can you imagine the rush of emotion in that moment? Pure joy. What an impact!
“Ultimately, the crew on board the ship desires to restore spiritual blindness by sharing Jesus’ love with those they are serving, often leading to a life restored in Christ. Spiritual and physical blindness steal so much. Restoring sight and faith gives more than we can measure. It is truly one of the greatest privileges we have.
“Thank you, MBI, for being part of this miracle-making family.”
by Becky Hefty | Dec 16, 2025 | Places and Projects, Thrive
David Roach is a carpenter from Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked as an independent contractor until recently. When he agreed to work with MBI on our Mission Lodge project, we knew God had sent us a hard-working professional with an exceptional work ethic.
In the early 2000s, David worked in Alabama with current MBI board member David Garrigan. When it was time to frame the Lodge, Garrigan tapped David as the best-fit carpenter for the job.
David says: “MBI’s director, Ron Brewster, invited me to attend The Event, their October 2024 fundraiser. When I heard their story, I was impressed with the faithfulness and prayers of the people who envisioned this place when there was nothing there. I was also impressed with how they were stewarding the funds, working toward building the Lodge debt-free. I saw genuine faith and the miraculous answers to their prayers as money and materials immediately came in.
“I had always sought purpose in my work in Alabama, but I wasn’t finding it. I needed more than what I was doing. When Ron asked me to join the Mission Lodge project starting in April, I prayed about it and felt God pulling me. I accepted the job, working independently and as part of the MBI team by partnering with project manager and professional Benjamin Arnold.
“Mission Lodge has become a floodgate of purpose for me and an answer to prayer. Now, I am working on a big-picture project. My co-workers feel the same way. We’re all applying our skills and professions with a sense of purpose.
“I’m growing in faith. And I trust that when this project is done, He will have the next thing waiting for me.”
by Becky Hefty | Jul 30, 2025 | MBI Services, Places and Projects
Partner Architects is helping to build the mission by working with ministries to create places that support God’s redemptive work in the world. Partner Architects engages the nations by focusing its design services on underserved areas of the world with low Christian populations and no access to professional services.
SUMMER INTERN
This summer, Partner welcomed intern Sarah Conaway from Auburn University in Alabama. She just completed her junior year of architecture school, where she is pursuing a dual degree in architecture and interior architecture. After returning from a mission trip to Uganda and hearing about Partner through LinkedIn and friends, Sara felt she was supposed to intern with Partner. A surprise financial gift confirmed her decision.
Ross Lackey says, “Sarah arrived in late May and has contributed to so many aspects of every project in the Partner office. We’re trying to give Sarah a window into what serving in our mission looks like, plus a breadth of experience and growth in all aspects of architecture. Sarah is easy to work with and has integrated seamlessly with the team and office culture.
“Interning with Partner Architects is a beautiful time where we can come alongside a young architect and prayerfully discern God’s heart for them and how God might be using their vocation for His purposes. Sarah has appreciated the experience and could see herself possibly doing this long-term, which would be helpful for missionaries around the world.”
PROJECTS
YWAM Gambia, West Africa
Last year, a new YWAM campus took root in Gambia, West Africa. YWAM Gambia reaches its local community, the surrounding villages, and the nations while also discipling Muslim converts in how to thrive as Christians in a Muslim country. Partner Architects came alongside YWAM Gambia from the start, helping them design and execute a campus development plan that will meet their diverse ministry needs.
YWAM Gambia now reports that they have completed a water tower, a workshop/vocational training building, a bathroom block, and two of the three levels of their housing structures. The third story of each housing unit is underway. The YWAM Gambia missionary team has labored diligently, and Ross says, “They are very proud of their accomplishments.”
Freedom’s Promise, Poipet, Cambodia
Freedom’s Promise is an anti-trafficking ministry community in Poipet, Cambodia. They reached out to Partner Architects for help designing a campus that could accommodate all of their multifaceted ministries. Ross says, “Freedom’s Promise began as a trafficking rescue organization, going into the bars and nightclubs to get women and young girls out of their modern-day slavery. They strategically transitioned to trafficking prevention through a six-pronged community development and evangelism model.”
The Freedom’s Promise campus is nearing completion. They will open their doors in August or September as a ministry community ready to provide education, healthcare, job training, Bible teaching, and trafficking awareness classes. “Now,” Ross says, “they can maintain a stable and permanent presence in their community, empowering and multiplying their work.”
UofN Pailin, Cambodia
The UofN Pailin YWAM location in Cambodia is a ministry plant of YWAM Battambang. Ross says, “YWAM Pailin serves, educates, and develops youth to see this generation fulfill its God-given potential. When they outgrew the facilities they had rented for eight years, they purchased land, debt-free, and called on Partner Architects to help with their campus design. They started work at the first of the year. The perimeter fence and entry gate (with electrical pumps, guardhouse, and garbage area) are completed. They’re ready to start building now, beginning with their worship pavilion next month. At the same time, they’re designing their multi-purpose building.”
YWAM Pailin understands that sharing the life and truth of Jesus in a nation comprised of 72% young people will open the door to seeing God bless the entire nation. Partner Architects is helping them realize their goals.
YWAM Mazatlán, Mexico
YWAM Mazatlán, Mexico, is located in a historic part of the city. They’ve operated their bustling ministry for years out of a single renovated hotel near the ocean. When it became apparent that their facilities were too small to match their big vision for training and sending 3,000 missionaries each year, they acquired five adjacent pieces of surrounding property. Now, they’re developing a visionary, 3-acre campus plan.
Ross says, “This is Partner’s most complex project to date. The YWAM Mazatlán campus design includes retail spaces, raised common areas, four 8-10 story towers, and parking garages, all on a three-acre footprint.”
MBI HOME PROJECTS
Partner Architects continues to help oversee each construction phase of MBI’s Mission Lodge project. As time allows, they advance other projects in the queue, including MBI’s RV park and staff-housing area.
The Partner Architect team continues to pray that God will call skilled, well-rounded, visionary professionals out of the secular arena into the mission. Ross says, “There is a great need for architects in missions. We’re excited to add skilled people with a heart for missions to our team!”
by Becky Hefty | Aug 5, 2024 | Places and Projects
Frontline YWAM missionaries are MBI’s heroes. Despite the inherent difficulties they sometimes face, they’re unceasing in their devotion to sharing the love of Christ and making a practical difference in the lives of those they serve. We aim to provide the services they need to thrive in their calling.
We recognize another invaluable hero—the Mission Builder volunteer who selflessly spends their time and skills to help meet the practical needs of global YWAM missionaries.
One of MBI’s most ardent volunteer heroes went to be with her Lord and Savior in March of this year. Doris Jane Helton (along with her husband Vic) spent her retirement serving YWAM locations around the world. Doris’s obituary reads:
“Upon retirement, Doris and Vic fulfilled their desire to go on short-term mission trips. After serving a few times with Wycliffe Bible Translators, they discovered an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). They realized that God was calling them to downsize so they could travel for longer periods. They moved to a townhouse and accepted YWAM assignments worldwide, staying up to 6-7 weeks at each location.
“Doris and Vic served with YWAM for 15 years. They enjoyed the experience of living in different cultures and often expressed how blessed they were to be able to serve in this way. They both loved to travel, and their mission work plus personal travels took them to over sixty countries on six continents and to more than twenty YWAM bases.”
Here are just a few precious remembrances offered by some of the YWAM missionaries and locations privileged to have received Doris and Vic’s out-of-the-ordinary volunteer service:
David Adegbami and family, Nigerian YWAMers serving at YWAM Belize:
“It was exactly fifteen years ago when the Lord brought you and Dad to our lives and ministry while we were serving with YWAM Belize. When you returned home, you told us that God said He brought you to Belize for the second time to get to know us. Ever since you and Dad adopted us as your son and daughter and our children as your grandchildren.
“You have also aided our ministry in numerous ways. The first medical team you and Dad brought us in 2013 opened the doors for many medical teams. We are also proud that God has used you and Dad to encourage us to establish a high school.”
Angie Stiner, YWAM missionary:
“Doris, you taught me so much and loved me unconditionally. There are so MANY memories! Budgeting, cooking, recipes, lunches, family vacations, buying a car, buying a condo, praying for me to get married, how to love my husband and respect him, job hunting, dinners, grocery shopping, doing haircuts in the kitchen, living upstairs and so much more. You encouraged me and supported me with YWAM, even while I was in my darkest hour. God used you in every way in my life. I have so many gifts from you to cherish and hold in my heart forever.”
Guy and Marylin, YWAM Saint Lucia:
“May Doris’s exemplary life resonate in our hearts. Her faith anchored her journey, buoying her work as a mission builder at YWAM Saint Lucia and many other locations. Doris nurtured the world around her with unbound generosity and hospitality, a testament to her noble character. As we mourn, let’s find solace in knowing she enriched countless lives, motivating us to live purposefully, echoing her spirit of selfless service.”
Ann-Sophie Kitok-Aboneka, YWAM missionary:
“I met Doris (and Vic) for the first time in YWAM Saint Croix. Doris helped out in the kitchen and made sure we ate healthy. I remember Doris as a very gentle, sweet, loving lady. The second time we met was in Sweden, as Doris and Vic came to serve as mission builders. The third time we met was in Hong Kong, where I served with YWAM. From then on, Doris and Vic became my supporters in the mission field until I started studying at the University in Sweden.
“I have been so blessed and touched by Doris’s life and how willingly she has served in different contexts. How gentle and kind-hearted she always was. I loved her sense of adventure and curiosity. Doris, may your memory live until many more generations.”
And we say, “Well done, Doris and Vic. Well done.”
In honor of Doris’s life and service, her family asked that memorial donations go to missions/YWAM via MBI, Helton’s supporting organization.
In Doris’s memory, we’d like to ask you this: Would you like to be a hero in someone’s story? If you want to be a volunteer hero, please visit our webpage at www.MissionBuilders.org and explore the excellent service opportunities available.
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