Hundreds of YWAM families will stay in the UK after Government reinstates visa licences

More than 350 international families working with YWAM in the UK breathed deep after they knew yesterday that the risk of being asked to leave the country was gone.

“Today, 27 January 2015, we learned that UKV&I has decided to formally reinstate Youth With A Mission’s Visa Sponsor Licence to that of a Grade A Sponsor”, the organization announced in a statement online. 

“We are extremely grateful for this positive outcome, but admit that we have had to learn several hard lessons about our internal processes and our approach to record keeping. We are already implementing important changes to these areas and will work with diligence to live up to the high expectation of the UKV&I”.

The worldwide Christian organization focusing on Missions remarked that they have “always respected and supported the UKV&I in its legitimate search for unscrupulous and fraudulent organisations who attempt to flout or skirt the UK’s generous visa laws. We are pleased that a number of now remedied issues have not risked YWAM being considered as amongst this group”.

HALF OF THE STAFF WAS AT RISK

The organization explained the importance of this decision of the Home office of the Government: “The consequences for YWAM, should our licence have been revoked, would have been profound. Several hundred volunteer missionaries would have been told that they are no longer entitled to remain in the UK and would either had to leave or find an alternative sponsor”.

“In stark terms, almost half of YWAM’s missionaries (approximately 300 people plus spouses and children) would have had to make alternative future plans. It would have affected YWAM’s activities, in-house training, social outreach and external ministries”.

YWAM WILL KEEP “MAKING GOD KNOWN”

“We thank God that this situation has been so satisfactorily resolved and wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to all who have given support to us during this trying time. We have felt supported and encouraged and remain wholly committed to our pledge ‘to know God and make Him known’”, the text ends.

You can follow more on this story at YWAM England’s Facebook Profile and their website.