WHY Herrnhut?
To most, Herrnhut would appear to be an inconsequential town of just under 5,000 residents in Saxony, Germany. It's a quite place, but those who know the Lord will find that this little town of quaint homes and idyllic pastures, has more life and light than the bustling streets of downtown Berlin. Herrnhut, which means “The Lord’s watchful care,” was established in 1722 by a group of Moravian refugees. They came from, what is today, the Czech Republic, and fled because of persecution of their Protestant faith by the Catholic nobility. As the meaning of its name implies, the town was founded on the people’s complete submission to, and trust in, God. A spiritual revival in 1727 resulted in the Moravian’s empowerment in the Holy Spirit. For the next century, Herrnhut became the center of a major Christian movement that has left its mark in the history of Christianity and world missions.
The Moravians demonstrated the Christian example in every aspect of their lives. They held a chain of prayer that continued unceasingly for 100 years and sent out hundreds of missionaries, who evangelized by assimilating to the people and sharing the Word in ways they could understand. They led simple communal lives, always giving and sharing, and emphasized the importance of a personal walk with God. The passionate, bold, and unorthodox approach of the Moravians also led to much persecution and numerous martyrs. This is the spirit that Herrnhut has been built upon, and this is the legacy that the town carries down. What can be seen of the Moravians in Herrnhut today, is the church and its faithful congregation, the cemetery where the forefathers lay, and the traditional symbol, the Moravian Star. But beneath the surface are the centuries of prayers amassed and the working of the same Holy Spirit who gave the Moravians their drive. Today, another movement is rising from this little town. It is composed of young men and women from all around the world who have come together in Herrnhut to reach out to all nations and share the gospel. That YWAM set its base in Herrnhut of all towns is clearly the fine and divine work of the Holy Spirit. In some sense, everyone who comes to YWAM Herrnhut can be considered the fruit of the seeds sown by the Moravians centuries back and now the fruits of Herrnhut are gathering to continue the ministry of this town. Standing on the shoulder of giants gone by, there is much blessing in YWAM Herrnhut that gives the potential to do great works for the Kingdom of God. story by EUNJIN LEE
Herrnhut
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