40+ years of YWAM Chiang Mai
YWAM has been bringing outreach teams to Chiang Mai since 1968, and it was in 1975 that a couple first moved to Chiang Mai to do ministry as YWAM long term. Their work was among university students, backpackers, and travelers. In the early 80’s YWAM opened the first international preschool in Chiang Mai and planted fourteen churches in the villages of Northern Thailand. In 1984 the first ever DTS in Thailand was held in Chiang Mai. Though the YWAM presence remained through the years, no formal base was established until the mid 90’s. Ministry in the 90’s included English outreach, refugee outreach, Bible translation, and continued support of the local churches. In the early 2000’s Home of Joy opened and the second DTS in Chiang Mai was held. After this DTS’s were held on a regular basis. YWAM Chiang Mai has grown from a few couples to nearly 100 staff.