Vision & Values

The Vision of WildFire is to bring joy to God's heart and see his Kingdom come in individual lives, families and communities through mobilising intergenerational mission teams within the UK and overseas. We're passionate about equipping all ages to live the kingdom everyday - we regularly host leadership training courses and events that can impact every generation. Our team are involved in a whole host of activities including schools work, regional, national and international conferences as well as more specific work in nations around the world.

For us, our vision is not only about what we do, it's about why and how we do it.

It's not just about the observable fruit, but also about the unseen roots.

The-Belief-Tree-YWAM-Darlene-Cunningham.

We believe our calling is to live out and impart the following values through all WildFire activities:

Loving God

We want to know him and bring him joy. Our primary desire is to love and obey God.

Life training

Daily life provides many opportunities to be trained as followers of Jesus. We believe discipleship is mainly relational and happens in everyday life.

No ordinary child

Children, preteens and teenagers have a God-given destiny and spiritual capacity. We believe the emerging generations can know, love and serve God.

Families

Families are important. We believe the family is foundational to life and represents the best context for training the emerging generations.

Better together

Linking the generations. We believe the linking of generations across the spiritual family is vital to living and sharing the Kingdom of God.

Teamwork

Leading and partnering together. We believe teamwork at every level of leadership provides wisdom, safety and creativity.

Reaching Out

Make Jesus known to all people. We believe that the Good News about Jesus and his Kingdom is to good to be kept for ourselves. We want to share it.

Vision & Values

Wildfire Events

What are WildFire Events?

WildFire Global

These short-term outreaches are usually for 1-3 weeks during UK school holidays. They provide an opportunity for youth and families to put their faith into action in mission within the UK and beyond. The teams work alongside missionaries and churches established in the host nation. Areas of service vary, from planting trees and schools ministry in Tanzania, to relief work and supporting orphanages in the Philippines to sport and street ministry in Spain. One of our key values is that each member of the team, no matter what their age, is fully involved – no one is a spectator!

Most teams welcome participants of all ages, with under 10s accompanied by a parent/ guardian. Some locations/ projects may require a higher minimum age.

WildFire Local

These weekends are a chance for children, youth and families to come together, receive from Jesus and splash him out into a local community. The teams are usually hosted by a church or group of churches with whom they partner in their mission. WildFire Local teams get stuck in to all kinds of service during a weekend; sports outreach, facilitating family fun days, street theatre, gardening, circus and clowning, litter picking, kids’ ministry and spontaneous street ceilidhs to name a few!

WildFire is all about the generations living the kingdom of God together. Under 10s need to be accompanied by a parent, but we encourage the whole family to come and join the God adventure together, whatever their ages! Older teens and adults take on leadership responsibilities within the team.

Past Events

Worcester, Cape Town - South Africa

Arusha - Tanzania

Dakar & Wider - Senegal

Malaga & Rincon De La Victoria - Spain

Barcelona - Spain (Catalunya)

Sarajevo - Hertzegovena

Berlin - Germany

Cagayan De Oro, Iligan - Philippines

Tacloban & Dulag - Philippines

Java, Bali & Sumba - Indonesia

Kona, Hawaii - USA

Hong Kong

Beijing & Kunming - China

Pescara - Italy

Sicily

Tokyo - Japan

+ Multiple UK Locations

Andy & Cath Kennedy

Andy and Catherine, with their children Noah and Grace, love to be a family serving Jesus together. Their work with KKi England (of which Wildfire is a part) has given them the privilege of journeying with thousands of children, young people and families in many fantastic God-adventures! They have been thrilled to see all ages ruined for the ordinary as they rely on God and trust Him to do His work through them, from the streets of Glasgow to the townships of South Africa.

They passionately believe that everyone has a part to play in building God’s kingdom and fulfilling His commission, whatever their age. They have also witnessed the joy it brings to God’s heart when the generations honour and make room for each other as they obey Him together.

Andy loves the circus, movies, Thai food and being an identical twin. Cath enjoys doing experiments and making her family eat them.

Jake Mahal

Jake first got involved with WildFire after meeting Andy & Catherine in 2004 and then working with them on the 8-11's programme at Spring Harvest. Jake, Freya, Rufus & Tilda now co-ordinate and lead WildFire outreaches in the UK and internationally. They also all love the wild outdoors so are heaveily involved in our NIKO programme.

Jake & Freya work together running Expecting Antental Classes, helping families have the best start possible in life. This leads to amazing opportunities to minister into the lives of families.

Jake is passionate about Justice and Joy - setting people free from all that would hold them back. Realising the image of God imprinted on peoples very being & living life in all its fullness.

Jake enjoys, martial arts, playing rugby (and any other sport on offer), fire juggling, the sea, high adrenaline activities, hanging out in the remote south-east Asian villages, Zebra Steak, Kona Coffee, Pistachio Gelatto and Cahors Malbec. www.jakemahal.com

WildFire Team

History

The name Wildfire began in England in late July 2002 when, two weeks before they were married, Andy and Catherine led a two week ‘Wildfire Camp with outreach’ based out of the King’s Lodge. The main participating church locally was Manor Court Baptist However young people also came from other churches like King’s Community Church in Bedworth, Elim Pentecostal in Nuneaton and Hinckley Baptist. A KKi Scottish team also were involved led by Scottish YWAMers Luci Turner and Heather Ortiz.

2002

Was not the start of King’s Kids in England (now referred to as KKi England). Andy Kennedy simply moved south from Glasgow in 2001 at the invite of the TKL leadership to re-ignite or re-launch the work. Allow us briefly to honour some people.

Where honour is due!

Since 1992 there had been great work going on in Liverpool, Torquay and Harpenden with amazing leaders like Suzi Peachey, Sandra Millar, Dave and Pam Pott, Karen Phillipps, Richie Gardiner and Mike and Terese Pugh., Pete and Eileen McAffrey.

A “KKi network of churches” also existed in places like Crewe, London, Colchester, Luton, Bedworth and Liverpool. They operated under their own names like ‘Aslan’, ‘Crown Jewels’, 'Stepping Out’, ‘Junction 10’ and ‘Praise Makers’.

Wildfire Grows locally and globally

2003

Wildfire sends four teams to Festival Manchester ( we are the only teams with under 15s involved. Message Manchester asks us to concentrate on city centre streets and parks with music, Dance, drama and circus.

2005

We send two teams to the Gateway Camp in Hong Kong and then onto Japan (led by Peter and Angele Carruthers from Glasgow) and Kunming, China.

This is the year the ‘year round team’ started in partnership with a local YFC affiliated ministry called Youth-180.

2006

Wildfire Teams ran a Radio Station in Nuneaton, joined MerseyFest in Liverpool, a Team on Board the Next Wave YWAM Ship and a small team to the Philippines.

2007

A Wildfire/Spring Harvest team went to Tanzania to visit the Living Waters project in Mwanza on Lake Victoria. A second team went back to Gateway Camp in Hong Kong and then onto Kunming in China while others were part of Sunshine in Heart camps in Beijing. The Kindermann Family travelled through China by train interceding as they journeyed.

2008

This was the year of HOPE ’08 and we focused on Camp Hill, an area of much need in Nuneaton.

2009

In February half-term and as part of the PCYM school a Wildfire team went to Sarajevo in Bosnia. In the summer teams went to South Africa, Spain and Italy.

2010

This was the year of Get Out and we sent a team to Cawsand in Cornwall. And another team back to Italy (led by the wonderful Jono and Mirjam Leva).

2011

Sicily and Droitwich.

2012

Olympic Year. Wildfire joined a large mobilising camp in Harpenden called ‘Going For Gold’ and then sent teams to Coventry, Droitwich and London (led by the Henman and Wain families).

2013

Planting Together Teams sent to Tanzania (Easter) and Senegal (August). A team goes to the Philippines led by Jake Mahal and the Kennedys help lead a Family Camp in YWAM Harpenden.

2014

Wildfire sends a huge team of 125 to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. It was so good to partner with Saltmine Theatre Company and Taboo Arts from YWAM London. Jake again led an adventure in the Philippnes.

2015

Wildfire teams are sent out to France, led by Ivette Santander, to partner with the FdJ team in Toulouse. It was exciting to see younger leaders like Yasmin Galarza, Jonny Leage and Lawrence Fielder rise up with a vision to lead a small team to Ukraine. The third all-age team was again led by Jake and back to Mindinao in the Philippines; each time we return to the Philippines relationships are deepened with exciting long term vision to see communities and families transformed and equipped to live life to the full.

WildFire History

What does the average WildFire weekend look like?

Usually all participants gather at our host location (often a church building or hall) on a Friday evening. A weekend will most often look something like this: Friday 1900: Registration and settling in (finding room/ claiming spot of church hall floor for sleeping bag) 20.00: Worship, get-to-know-you activities, Orientation for the weekend - (Small ones bedtime) 21.30 Hang out, Hot choc 10.30 Bed. Saturday 7.30 Wake up 8.00 Breakfast, make packed lunches and clear up 8.45 Quiet time 9.30 Worship and teaching 10.15 Break 10.45 Outreach prep 12.45 Go to outreach locations Outreach 17.00 Gather and debrief 18.00 Dinner and clear up 19.30 Prep for Sunday morning/ Fun time/ More outreach for teens + adults (Small ones bedtime) 21.30 Chill out, hot choc etc 22.30 Bed Sunday 7.00 Wake Up 7.30 Breakfast and clear up 8.00 Tidy church and pack away all luggage, equipment etc 9.00 Quiet time and prep for service 10/11 Host church service (WildFire team usually serves in some way, often sending small teams to other local churches as well) 13.00 Lunch and clear up 14.00 Final debrief, thanksgiving to God etc 14.30 End of WildFire weekend
What is the difference between WildFire Local and WildFire Global?

WildFire Local outreaches are weekend gatherings which happen throughout the year. They draw together young people, families and adults of all ages who are seeking to know God more deeply by serving him together in local mission. The ethos is no spectators – everyone has a part to play in God’s Kingdom no matter how young or how old. The intergenerational nature of these weekends is very intentional. We all hear God’s voice, we all participate in ministry, we all wash the dishes. A WildFire local weekend is usually hosted by and is in partnership with a local church or group of churches. WildFire Global outreaches have exactly the same aims and ethos as WildFire Local, but are longer outreach experiences, from a week to three weeks, usually during school holidays. These missions can take place within the UK or overseas. In recent years WildFire Global outreaches have served in the Philippines, France, Glasgow (Commonwealth Games), London (Olympics), South Africa, Cornwall, Spain, Italy and Bosnia.
What does an outreach look like? What kind of things might we do?

The location of the outreach and the context of the people we are hoping to reach affects the ministry we do. We may do one or a combination of some of the following: * “Raising the Joy Level”: eg circus, face paints, flash mobs, ceilidh, character costumes, dance, parachute games, giant bubbles, walk-about magic. * Sports: eg football tournaments, park kick-abouts. * Practical: eg gardening, painting, litter picking, renovating. * Street ministry: Treasure hunting, random acts of kindness, healing on the streets, prophetic art. * In some outreach locations where we have ongoing relationship we have been able to really get our teeth into some social action such as working alongside local council initiatives, building projects in impoverished areas and supporting the set up of micro-businesses and community owned projects.
How are individuals in a WildFire team organised?

Young people are put into intergenerational Family Groups of up to 10 young people plus staff. These pastoral groups are a place to celebrate the things God is doing, to process and pray, to share burdens and struggles, and to tell someone you forgot your toothbrush. A Family Group is divided into two Action groups, guys and girls. An Action Group is overseen by an older teenage guy or girl, who will lead the group’s devotions and work duties. On outreach, group leaders and staff support and supervise young people as they minister together. Evenings are often rounded off in age groups enjoying relaxed social time. Team Structure Diagram
What is WildFire's approach to safeguarding?

All 18+ applicants must undergo a DBS check and receive Safeguarding training according to YWAM England’s Safeguarding Policy. Activities are risk assessed and the adult: young person ratio is generally high.
What is family accomodation like?

WildFire Local weekends Our aim is to make families with younger children as comfortable as we can, within the restrictions we might have in a host venue (eg a church building or hall). Those with children aged 10 and under are usually given their own room to “camp” in (possibly a Sunday school room or church office), or failing that, you may be billeted with a local church family. 11/ 12 year olds may be given the option to be accommodated with their family if there is room. Otherwise, older young people tend to sleep dorm-style according to gender with others of similar age. Couples with older children may be given their own room occasionally, though more often they are accommodated separately in male or female staff dorms. WildFire Global outreaches Most of the above applies to longer outreaches, although the types of accommodation can vary, eg hostels, mission centres, homes and even hotels. In these cases, the possibility for family rooms is greater, with less necessity for dorm-style sleeping.
Our children are over 10, can we still be part of a WildFire event?"

Yes, absolutely!
How can I be trained ahead of a WildFire event as either a parent or staff member?

Contact us about “Pass It On”, a training event for people wantint to be involved in ministry accross the generations. Attendance is not prerequisite for being involved in WildFire however, so if there isn’t a "Pass it On" event coming up, come along to WildFire anyway and learn as you go.
How does it all work with small children?

You know your children best and will already have a good inkling as to how they might cope with a different schedule, being away from home, meeting lots of new people etc. Some 0-5 year olds absolutely thrive in the wider family atmosphere of WildFire, while for others it can be more challenging. We recognise that most 0-5s will need to drop in and out of the programme according to their capacity, particularly at bedtime, but they are so welcome to be part of the team. Many of our “Raise the Joy Level” outreach activities are naturally fun for 0-5s, eg giant bubbles, face painting, balloon modeling, parachute games, circus, flash mobs etc Sometimes, depending on staff, we will offer an outreach track particularly aimed at 0-5s’ participation, with lots of age-appropriate blessing activities and outdoors worship, interspersed with good chunks of time playing!
What is expected of over 18s

As we expect 15 -17 year olds to start stepping into leadership, generally all 18+ applicants are seen as part of the staff team, carrying various responsibilities as well as participating in outreach. Roles might include Admin (eg book keeping, logistics), Family Life (eg cooking, supervising work duties), Pastoral (eg Leading a Family Group, overseeing age group activities) or Programme (eg leading an outreach group, supervising technical set-up).
Can my church host a WildFire Event?

If you are a church leader, please contact us to chat about what would be involved, we would love to hear from you. If you are a church member, please do talk about it with your church leader or a member of church eldership, perhaps showing them some of the media and information from this website. A helpful next step might be for someone from your church leadership to come along with you to a WildFire weekend, if they are interested. In that way they can experience it for themselves and weigh up whether hosting WildFire would be a relevant step in your church’s journey.

FAQ