Learning to wiki

As I gradually learn that, as a team, we can work stronger than any of our individual contributions, I'm also seeing that the same can be applied to the mission movement – that is, YWAM – as a whole.

YWAM Knowledge Base

Today I've been learning how to write 'wiki'. It's all in an effort to build a connectedness in Africa without 'doing everything' for the people we're trying to reach out to. With the advent of social networking and wiki sites, it is now perfectly possible for the masses to be literally in control of web content. Rather than just having a central office which updates and maintains the information about YWAM, we are now entering a season where any and every location which calls itself YWAM can update not only about themselves, but also about history, books, learning experiences, people groups, health care, biblical worldview etc. In fact, anything that would be useful for others to know about is now shared - or available to be updated through the YWAM Knowledge Base.

YWAM KB, as we refer to it, is a wiki website which, once registered, can be accessed by anyone, anywhere in the world. The principle behind it is: we all have things to share and here's a platform with which to do it. Things (techniques, experiences, knowledge) change over time and to have one office that is responsible for keeping up with all that is YWAM would be impossible. AfriCom champions some great stories on our website, but we are so pleased to be working on a project that hands the responsibility and ownership back into the hands of those working at the grassroots.

Writing in Wiki takes a bit of learning (hence my lessons, with my trusted friend and AfriCom staff member, Arnoud). However, when you've got the hang of it, you can share with the world some of the expertise that you know that someone else may benefit from.

As a movement, we are made up of many organisations from very different backgrounds and different giftings. It's really exciting that a tool like this can be used to pool our knowledge and resources together. It's right to the very heart of AfriCom's vision and mission.