YWAM Windhoek creates Sustainable Base

Location: Windhoek, Namibia.

For many years, the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) base in Windhoek, Namibia, faithfully ran Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) with the vision of raising up local Namibians as mission-minded leaders. But like many ministry centres across the continent, the vision outpaced the finances. To keep DTS fees affordable for locals, the base operated on minimal income, and after several difficult years, the ministry found itself at a financial breaking point.

Under the guidance of current leadership, the Windhoek base made a bold and intentional shift—reframing their ministry through the lens of sustainability. Instead of cutting back, they innovated. Instead of relying solely on donations, they began stewarding what was already in their hands.

The base’s large hall—once used only occasionally—was renovated to become a multi-use community venue. With the addition of a proper roof and welcoming upgrades, it now hosts weddings, church gatherings, and local events, generating regular income while fostering community relationships.

Two well-built guest chalets were added to the property, with capacity to host up to 24 guests; short-term missions, accommodation for leadership retreats, conferences, and community visitors the rest of the year. This passive income directly supports base operations and helps reduce student fees.

An on-site vegetable garden that began as a small staff initiative has now doubled in size. Today, it provides several weekly meals for base staff, with excess produce sold in local supermarkets, offering both nutrition and economic return. They’ve also launched a thriving egg-laying chicken project, with over 1,000 hens producing fresh eggs for internal use and local sale.

One of the most powerful expressions of sustainability has been their decision to share land and knowledge with the surrounding community. Each planting season, sections of land are allocated to local individuals and families. These community members are trained not only in agriculture but also in essential life skills like parenting, marriage, health, and discipleship.

Through this holistic approach, the Windhoek base is living out its YWAM motto: “To know God and to make Him known.”

Their story is a powerful example of what happens when African ministries embrace sustainability, unlock local potential, and multiply mission impact from the inside out.