YWAM Borgen is the world´s northernmost Youth With A Mission/YWAM centre. We are strategically placed in the middle of the region we are called to serve, close to Russia, Sweden and Finland and one hour´s drive away from Tromsø, the ”capital” of northern Norway.

Our centre have a lot of experience in leadership training and pioneer work. We are committed to train leaders that dare to do new things in new ways.

YWAM Borgen is a place with many experienced leaders that have an international vision and we see ourselves as a part of a new wave of God´s Spirit washing over the northern region of the world.

Some of our main focus at the moment is urban youth work in Tromsø (often called "The Paris of the North"), pioneer work in Northern Russia and mercy ministry in Northern Africa.

In addition to this we have an extensive preaching ministry, prayer work, university work in Tromsø, youth camps, Mission Adventures and much more.

YWAM Borgen enter 1978

Early history of YWAM Borgen

Youth With a Mission Borgen is a base with people from all over the world and different YWAM bases and it is a base that releases people to the nations. In 1970`s YWAM Norway started after Eivind and Jan Helge Frøen and Øyvind Hofstad (they where then a part of the Navigators in Norway) went to England and met the leaders of YWAM internationally at a conference. YWAM (UiO) Norway started in Oslo.

At that time Ragnhild and Arils Moldstø came back after a team trip to the north and reported what God was doing, which ignited something in Eva Konradsen, that at that time was a part of Open Doors, and she moved from Oslo to Lakselv for 3 years. After some time Terje, Leif and Hanne joined her. At that time the work in the north was not a part of YWAM.

It was fragile and discurraging times, and they where continuously asking God: "Is that really you, God."

Then in the Fall 1986 Alv Magnus and Mogens came up here and inspired us. Then in January 1987 Borgen became a part of YWAM Norway.

Youth With a Mission Borgen has been, and still are a pioneer base, doing new things in new ways, and we need to be that in the north –we need to take initiative and not wait to be invited. We know that If we stand together in the hard times, we can handle when success comes-because we know that God is the one that has brought it about.

Ken and Shirley Wright came to Borgen at a meeting some years later and Ken gave a word of knowledge that lead to a lady in the willage choosing to receive Christ.-The first convert from the ministry of YWAM Borgen.

In the fall 1987 the first DTS was run here, and Håvard Gjerseth was one of the 13-14 students. They rented a building next to the old peoples home for 1 year. The Lukas foundation owned what is now UiO Borgen at that time and the leader of the place was praying one day and God spoke; People from many nations will come here and send people to many nations” –which was hard to imagine at that time.

But they had a hard time and rented it to YWAM that continued in the same spirit as the Interdenominational Lukas foundation, and even run the place as a camping place in the summer to get some income (like the LF also had done). After 4years we bought this place for approximately 800 000kr. By the help from Agape foundation and generous individuals.

Throughout the years Borgen has been a blessing to Tromsø and the churches there and the northern areas of Norway, Finnand, Sweeden and Russia in general. Borgen has also succeeded in being involved in the local community, building social infrastructure and work places as well as good relationships.

Psalm 103:2 Remember the deeds of the Lord!

Some of the things God has done through Borgen: DTS, Family work (camps + marriage weekends), Focus 9-16 (U of N school), Children camps, Youth Camps, Mission seminars, SOFM, Prayer conferences, Arctic explosion, In touch, Renewal conference, Leader conferences, Impact tour, Women conferences, Mission Adventures, Youth outreaches, pioneering ywam Bulgaria etc.

The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission are the expression of our basic beliefs coupled with specific directives given by God since YWAM's beginning in 1960. They are recorded here in order to pass on to successive generations that which God has emphasized to us. These shared beliefs and values are the guiding principles for both the past and future growth of our mission. Some are common to all Christians everywhere; others are distinctive to Youth With A Mission. The combination of these beliefs and values make up the unique family characteristics of YWAM - our "DNA." They are values we hold in high regard which determine who we are, how we live and how we make decisions.   

1. KNOW GOD   
2. MAKE GOD KNOWN   
3. HEAR GOD'S VOICE   
4. PRACTICE WORSHIP AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER   
5.  BE VISIONARY   
6. CHAMPION YOUNG PEOPLE   
7. BE BROAD-STRUCTURED AND DECENTRALIZED   
8. BE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL   
9. HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW   
10. FUNCTION IN TEAMS   
11. EXHIBIT SERVANT LEADERSHIP   
12. DO FIRST, THEN TEACH   
13. BE RELATIONSHIP-ORIENTED   
14. VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL   
15. VALUE FAMILIES   
16. RELY ON RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT   
17. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

Borgen is in an area called Storfjord kommune. Our base is situated in beautiful surroundings next to a fjord, 500km drive north of the Arctic Circle and is surrounded by mountains up to 1500 meters high. 40 minutes drive from Tromso.