“We are all potential communicators,” says Cristian Urrutia, a student from the School of Field Journalism (SOFJ) in Muizenberg, South Africa. Communications has become an important focus of Youth With A Mission in recent years. “The importance of communication in the body of Christ is like the nervous system in the physical body,” says Cristian. “If that system doesn’t function well, the whole body fails to thrive.”

The SOFJ is helping Cristian, who is from Argentina, to further improve his skills in communications so he can work more effectively in this area. “For some,” says Cristian, “the art of communication seems far off. It is mysterious and full of unknowns. There are beliefs that good communicators require the best technology like the latest computer, and the most up to date video camera.” Attending the fifth annual YWAM Conference on Communications, Research and Information Technology (CRIT) in Buenos Aires last year changed all that for Cristian.

“[The conference] opened my eyes to the fact that I could be a communicator . . . and to the importance of communication in the Body of Christ,” Christian says, “You learn to communicate the great message Jesus left us in the best way you possibly can.”
For six years a network of YWAMers committed to this message have been focused on improving communication throughout the mission and to the public by training and connecting people with a passion to see YWAM ministries functioning well in communications. Each year the conference has brought about new communication platforms and launched new initiatives in different regions.

Equally importantly, it has affirmed in many participants, that their passion and talent for communications can be used to serve God’s purposes. Michelle Hernández had such a dream. She says, “Since the beginning of my career the phrase, ‘this is Michele Hernández reporting from CNN,’ echoed continuously in my thoughts. It had always been my heart´s desire to share stories both nationally and globally.”

“I entered YWAM immediately after graduating with a degree in Mass Media Journalism, having rejected an internship with CNN. For one reason or another, I buried my dreams thinking that missions and communications just didn’t work together. I got involved in many areas but always felt something was missing.”

“Then I was invited to CRIT; a time where my dreams were resurrected. I discovered God´s heart for communications from a new perspective. I was so wrong - communications and missions are such an explosive combination and a powerful diverse way to express His heart! “

“CRIT gave me the opportunity to start dreaming again and see these dreams made reality. CRIT also helped me see communications not just as important but essential to our Mission, allowing me to influence communications in South America by participating in the birth and development of LatinCOM, a communications service office for YWAM in Latin America.”

Michelle concludes, “Even though I never got to be a CNN reporter, God gave me the opportunity to spread His news from YWAM to the world. Now the phrase echoing in my head is: ‘This is Michele Hernández reporting from YWAM Argentina.’”