A community called to be a witness to and partner in God’s redemptive work of peacebuilding and reconciliation within our local community, the island of Ireland and across the globe.

YWAM An Cuan

Our Core Values

The following Core Values serve to inform and inspire YWAM An Cuan in its structure, culture and output. We aim as a community to be challenged by and adhere to these values continually in our daily lives. These values are, in part, a reflection of our understanding of the outworking of our faith as Christians.

YWAM An Cuan is a part of the wider family of ministries within Youth With a Mission. Beyond our Core Values, YWAM International has 18 foundational values that we also aim to exhibit. For more information on these, follow the link below.

Community

The value of community is ultimately a value of sharing in life together. Community is about offering what we have individually to the whole and in doing so, creating a space of humility, authenticity and open communication. We are challenged to maintain unity by working through conflicts and proactively believing the best of others.
The outworking of this value should not result in a closed system with those who are “in” and “out” but rather a recognition of the need for one another and a pull towards a mutual awareness of our common humanity.

Creativity

We affirm that creativity is a fundamental component to a fulfilled life and essential to creating lasting change. We cultivate creativity through the practice of artistic expression, the championing of innovation and a continual commitment to rethink and reform. At the heart of creativity is an openness to new perspectives and ideas and a determination to push conventional boundaries.

Collaboration

The value of collaboration challenges our common understanding of success. Instead of aiming for individual achievement, collaboration recognises the dynamic power of diversity as a strength. We invite input and involvement into our own projects, goals and initiatives. Equally, we seek to discover, invest in, and elevate strategic partnerships both locally and abroad.

Embrace

As a multicultural and multigenerational community, the value of embrace plays a crucial role in what binds us together in all that we do. In this depth of relationship there is an invitation to shared vulnerability, mutual care and a broadening of worldview. We want to welcome people from all walks of life and expressions of faith to a common ground with the hope that they find a place of warmth, welcome and belonging. 

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

As a community we aim to be a witness to God’s vision of reconciliation by…

  • Centering our community rhythms and work lives around Christ and his teachings

  • Maintaining a staff team that is multicultural and multigenerational 

  • Committing to resolving our conflicts with humility and loving truthfulness

  • Generating new vision and initiatives that work toward restoration and peace

  • Committing to retaining an outward focus and purpose

Locally we are situated in the beautiful village of Rostrevor, County Down. As a part of this village we aim to…

  • Be authentically integrated into the local community

  • Serve our neighbours practically where there is need

  • Partner with others in hosting events and initiatives that highlight creativity, social enrichment, and peacebuilding

  • Gather people of any age and background to a common ground in order to foster relationships, inclusivity and connection

Within the island of Ireland we seek to make lasting impact by…

  • Committing to ecumenism on all levels of our vision and partnerships

  • Investing in relationships with like minded individuals and organisations

  • Serving beyond our own initiatives 

  • Hosting individuals and groups at our centre for retreats and gatherings

  • Hosting opportunities for others to broaden their understanding of peacebuilding and reconciliation

Across the globe we seek to positively impact other communities different than our own by…

  • Committing ourselves to awareness, prayer and engagement with our focus regions

  • Maintaining long term partnerships with local workers

  • Recognising the empowerment of local voices and movements as essential to lasting change

  • Acting as allies and support to local initiatives, decentralising our involvement

  • Always looking to provide aid and relief efforts for the disadvantaged and marginalised

Our Focus Regions

  • Lebanon

  • South Africa

  • The Balkans

  • China

  • India

  • Ireland

  • Rwanda

  • Burundi

  • Israel/Palestine

About An Cuan

We call YWAM Rostrevor's centre “An Cuan” (on-koo-in), which is Irish for "The Harbour." It is a place where people come and rest, are restored, equipped and then sent out again.

We run Discipleship Training Schools, Open Mic nights, worship gatherings, ministry nights, craft markets, retreats and other seminars, as well as helping local ministries and sending teams all around Ireland and the world. We have loved welcoming thousands of people through our doors.