Ten Years at the Highfield Oval

Exactly ten years ago, the community here at Highfield Oval was in the biggest faith battle we had ever faced. I spent almost every day, rising early, spending an hour or two waiting on God, and then doing whatever He told me to do. Our challenge was to see nearly three and a half million dollars raised for the purchase of Highfield Oval. And we had less than ten weeks.

At first the challenge looked completely impossible and yet every time we met for prayer and worship we went away with our faith encouraged and our spirits lifted high. Even though our bank had refused to lend us money towards the purchase and several other promises had fallen through, we were convinced that God had promised us this site as a place we could use for His glory. As the ten weeks passed, miracle after miracle occurred. People we hardly knew were willing to give us substantial gifts or very large loans. Our bank even changed its mind and agreed to loan us about twenty percent of the total.

Of all the miracles that occurred during that period, the most deeply moving was the response of YWAMers and YWAM bases around the world. We had been asking for prayer over the previous several years and in the months preceding the crisis had sent out prayer requests on a very regular basis. Loren Cunningham sent out a letter to every base suggesting a day of fasting and prayer and then a "loaves and fishes" offering. YWAMers everywhere responded with humbling generosity. In the end, YWAMers from outside of England gave over $300,000 to the purchase of Highfield Oval. That, combined with the many other miracles, enabled us to complete the purchase on time. As a result, Highfield Oval stands as a daily reminder of God's amazing provision.

What an incredible blessing this place has been! Hundreds of students have been trained here and hundreds more have come to special events aimed at urging youth towards Christ-like living. From here, extraordinary projects have been initiated and managed: March for Jesus, bringing millions of Christians together in unity annually; the Reconciliation Walk with two and a half thousand western believers visiting the Middle East with a message of peace; the Transformational Business Network helping to create jobs and dignity for the poor in many nations; the Cell Church Movement which has transformed hundreds of churches in the U.K., is centered on this property. In addition, there are reconciliation initiatives to China, relief and development projects throughout Africa and scores of non-western missionaries have been trained here before going to the 10/40 Window.

We are especially impressed with the many South Americans, Koreans and other internationals who come here to learn cross-cultural skills and acquire English in a one-year course. Paolo and Maria were two of those students. Though young, they had already been capable church and mission leaders in Brazil. Like so many Brazilian students they proved to be humble, hardworking, intelligent and totally committed to Jesus. While they were here, we helped them get to know English churches, and some now support them. Paolo worked hard and acquired his coaching certificate from the English Football Association.

Paolo and Maria (and now Daniella, their baby) live in South Asia, in one of the most challenging of the 10/40 Window nations. As a Brazilian footballer with English credentials, Paolo is much in demand and has limitless opportunities to speak about Jesus to boys and their families. When western missionaries have to leave, they will be able to stay. When a white face is suspect, they are not.

We could, of course, recount scores of equally wonderful stories but space does not allow. What we especially want to say is, THANK YOU! When we desperately needed our wonderful, global family, they were there to bear us up. Now we enjoy the fruit of that victory every single day.

--by Lynn Green on behalf of YWAM's Highfield Oval Community, Harpenden, England. Lynn Green is YWAM's Field Director for Europe, Middle East and North Africa.