So, how is Lancaster County, PA playing a pivotal role in the great commission?

Lancaster County is a region in southeastern Pennsylvania that spans about 984 square miles. It is home to many committed followers of Christ, including non-denominational believers, Amish communities, and Mennonites. The county has a rich Anabaptist history dating back to 1756, when a Mennonite man named Martin Boehm became a local minister. Boehm stirred up challenges to the church, encouraging believers to walk more deeply in their faith and to pursue greater fervor and passion for God. Though some were not fond of his teachings and passion, he continued to speak boldly and refused to keep quiet about his love for God.

To be an Anabaptist meant believing in adult baptism, a controversial topic at one time due to strong opposing beliefs. Amish and Mennonite beliefs originated with the Anabaptists and evolved into distinct belief systems over time, though both trace their roots back to Anabaptist core principles. To this day there are many Amish and Mennonites still living in Lancaster county. While the roots and history of this region are uniquely built on Anabaptism, the story does not end there. 

Whether you’re reading this blog as a local from Lancaster County or as someone from a completely different region of the world, you may not be aware of some of the prophetic words that have been spoken over this special county. These words speak of the lost being reached and of Lancaster County playing a pivotal role in fulfilling the Great Commission. This is why you might find a Lancaster County missionary in almost any nation you visit! 

The Tip of the Sword

One key prophetic word over Lancaster was given by Brian Kim at the “Worthy One” conference in May 2015. He called the people present to take action with the following words:

“I believe you are the tip of the sword in fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation.” 

In summary, he continued, “Lancaster County, this is your destiny! This place is called to take the gospel to the farthest corners of the planet and to complete what the Apostle Paul began 2,000 years ago.”

Farmers to Missionaries

This was such a powerful word from Brian Kim, speaking truth, purpose, and challenge over the region. To be the tip of the sword in any event is a big responsibility. It’s the front line, the breaking point, and quite possibly the most difficult position to take on.

But God made the people of Lancaster County to be those who walk in strength of mind—not giving up easily or when things get difficult. If anyone could move to a distant land, choose a lifestyle different from Western culture, and be 100% committed to the Lord in all they do, it’s the people of Lancaster!

If you were to engage in conversation with someone who grew up on a farm (anywhere, really), they would truthfully tell you that farming isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a day-in, day-out kind of job. The ground needs to be worked, the animals need to be fed, and there’s not much time off.

In a similar way, the Great Commission is a job that cannot be done by those who give up quickly. It requires great dependence on God and must be carried out diligently and with care. This could be why God has chosen Lancaster County.

YWAM Lancaster Birthed

Because of the many words the Lord has spoken over the years, and it being a dream in God’s heart, YWAM Lancaster was birthed. One challenging word to the region from Lou Engle in November 2015 at the “Open Wells” conference is one of the reasons YWAM Lancaster is sending people out to the nations today. 

Lou Engle said:

“Watch what God does out of this valley (Lancaster): missionaries being sent—our own sons and daughters.”

A portion of his next prayer was this:

“Lord of the harvest, start a revolution today; ekballo  (cast out, drive out, or send out) laborers into the harvest. Send hundreds of thousands out of this church, out of this valley. Release evangelism and missions.”

Just two years later, God began leading Luke Weaver, who is now the Director of YWAM Lancaster, to be part of the early conversations regarding launching a local YWAM campus. Two years after that, a small team was formed and began pioneering that YWAM base right here in the Lancaster region. That team ran their first DTS in the fall of 2020, with hopes of growing their team and sending long-term missionaries overseas to the 10/40 window.

As YWAM Lancaster has developed over the years, God has continued to speak strategy and direction on how to reach the unreached. Through our Rally ministry, we go to schools and churches, inviting the next generation to join in the fulfillment of the prophetic words over Lancaster County—to lead the way in reaching the unreached. We ultimately desire to see ten long-term missionary teams sent to the 10/40 window within the next ten years! We know that after hearing God’s heart for this region, we must play an active role in seeing the fulfillment of the Great Commission take place. 

A prayer in the heart of Luke Weaver, as well as the leadership team, has been for God to send the right people at the right time, with the right things in their hearts, to express His dream through YWAM Lancaster. This has been happening since the moment the pioneering process began.

Since the prophetic words over this region were given more than nine years ago, God has been disrupting the usual flow of Lancaster. Revival nights of worship and prayer have begun among the youth, and God has been using young believers in their high schools and middle schools to bring the light of Jesus. We believe that God is just getting started and that we will soon see more young people revived, called into relationship with Him, and sent into the mission field to reach the lost. How will He do it?

A Dream of God for Lancaster County 

In August of 2019, a man named Lee DeMatos (who is not a Lancaster County resident) had a dream. In the dream, he was in a school in California. He entered a room full of teachers who said to him, “Go ahead,” inviting him to share about what was happening in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a small town in Lancaster County. “Tell us what happened there in PA,” they said.

In the dream, Lee proceeded to speak about a huge revival that took place in the schools of Ephrata. He awoke sensing that these events would have a nationwide impact, and that states as far away as California would long for a similar revival in their schools. 

So we see that God wants to continue to work amongst the youth. We wait in eager anticipation to see when He will bring these things about. We wholeheartedly believe that He has already started and that He can and will raise up a youth movement from this region, from the place of prayer, and create a missions movement that reaches the ends of the earth!

What is your role?

Your role in this story may be determined by your location. If you are a Lancaster County resident, there is a clear invitation for you to be part of the tip of the sword in fulfilling the Great Commission! But what does that look like practically? It begins with getting into your secret place with God and simply asking the question, “God, how do I respond to the words and invitations that have been given to the people of my county?” 

Part of your role could involve dedicating time to prayer—asking God to continue leading this mission and fulfilling these prophetic words. God may ask you to give your time, money, or other resources to support those personally going to unreached nations with the gospel. Or perhaps He might ask you to give up the path you’ve been walking on in order to join those moving overseas.

What if you aren’t a Lancaster County local? That’s okay! There are many people from outside of Lancaster County who God has used as an answer to the prayer, “Send the right people at the right time.” Maybe God is calling you to join the storyline of what is happening here in Lancaster in one of the ways mentioned above.

You may also go to the Lord, asking Him what He has planned for your region. Sometimes, we don’t know because we simply don’t ask, yet He longs for someone to seek His will for a specific location. Take time to listen to His voice, remaining open to the unique ways He may reveal His desires—whether through Scripture, prayer, or wise counsel. When we ask, He often entrusts us with His vision, inviting us to partner with Him in bringing it to fruition. Have faith that He has a plan and purpose for your region as well.

Are you called to missions? >>

Ways to get involved at Youth With a Mission Lancaster

Regardless of where you come from, we hope you encountered the heart of God for Lancaster County and the lost through reading this blog. If you’re looking for a way to get involved in what is happening here, YWAM Lancaster offers a course called Discipleship Training School (also known as DTS). Some of the goals of this school are to help you encounter God, find your purpose, and reach the unreached. 

If you desire these things and want to be a part, click that link! Those who are passionate followers will go wherever God leads! So don’t hesitate if you feel Him leading you! The lost are waiting, and the invitation for you to go is waiting too.