LOREN CUNNINGHAM is the Founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an ever-expanding global "family of ministries" born in 1960 which has reached into every nation.  The work of YWAM encompasses evangelism, training and mercy ministries and is manned by nearly 20,000 full-time staff from more than 150 nationalities and a wide variety of denominations who serve at more than 1,200 YWAM locations in 173 nations.  More than four million students, short-term volunteers and staff have served with YWAM since its inception. 

Loren is also Founder and President of the University of Nations (UofN), YWAM's global university, and the leader of the Kona Campus in Hawaii. Since the university's inception in 1978, the UofN has grown to offer more than 800 different kinds of courses and seminars (some of which are offered in 94 languages), held at more than 500 locations/campuses in more than 140 countries. There are currently approximately 150,000 students registered within the global UofN system who have taken at least a Discipleship Training School (the entry course and prerequisite for all other UofN courses, for pursuing a UofN degree, and/or for becoming YWAM Staff).

Loren has personally gone to every sovereign nation on earth, all dependent countries, and more than 150 territories and islands, for the sake of the Gospel. This has given him valuable insights into global trends and uniquely prepares him to share God's strategies for world evangelism. His wisdom, experience, leadership, understanding and call to build bridges of unity within the body of Christ have caused him to be sought out by leaders of nations and organizations worldwide. He speaks publicly in 30 to 40 nations a year, and has spoken to live audiences from a few to several million people gathered in one location.

Born in Taft, California, Loren's family heritage is rich with generations of Christian ministers. His educational background includes three Bachelor degrees, a Master of Science in Administration of Education, and two Honorary Doctorates. Loren is the author of five books, translated into 84 languages: Is That Really You God? (translated into more than 100 languages), Making Jesus Lord, Daring To Live On The Edge, Why Not Women? and The Book That Transforms Nations-the Power of the Bible to Change any Country.

Loren and his wife Darlene reside in Kona, Hawaii. The Cunninghams have two adult children. Karen is a UofN preschool teacher and David is a film director. David and his wife Judy have also given Loren and Darlene their most cherished title, promoting them to the role of "grandparents", by producing three wonderful grandchildren.