Who and Where

YWAM Kristiansand is a vibrant missions base located at Skjærgårdsheimen on the beautiful island Flekkerøy, located just 13 km outside the city of Kristiansand. The base has more than 40 workers currently working on the base, as well as being part of sending out more than 30 long term missionaries all over the world. Since 1994, more than 1000 people have been students at the various schools run at Skjærgårdsheimen.

Our Story

YWAM Kristiansand was started in 1990 by Geir and Elin Fagerbakke. With a dream of buying a place someday, the couple rented a campsite in Klepp for 3 years to run a DTS. After these years, they moved the school to Skottevig vacation centre. During that year, the lecture phase of the DTS was run at Skottevig. But when outreach came, all of the equipment was moved into the Fagerbakke’s bedroom, which was used as an office until the next fall. In other words, YWAM Kristiansand were in need of its own space.

In the spring of 1994, Skjærgårdsheimen on Flekkerøy caught some attention. The place, previously run as a rehabilitation centre for people struggling with alcohol abuse by Blue Cross, had to shut down due to economic difficulties. It had been vacant for two years, and different real estate agents were discussing how to best use the large property. Elin and Geir Fagerbakke, along with two other couples, Berntsen and Lauvland, reached out to the investors about buying the place, but they were not interested in selling. A lot of people came together to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance.

The case developed, and came to a point where YWAM Kristiansand made a bid of 2,3 million for Skjærgårdsheimen. The bid was denied and the negotiations were ended. But after more prayer, staff meeting and involving all of the YWAM family in Norway, a new bid of 2,5 million was delivered to the investors. After some days, the bid was accepted and in July 1994 YWAM became the new owners of Skjærgårdsheimen.

We were later to find out that the real estate agents had made a deal with the fire department to burn down Skjærgårdsheimen in a fire drill, just two weeks after YWAM signed the contract to buy it. Thankfully God had different plans, and now Skjærgårdsheimen is a a centre where we get to know God and make Him known.

A lot of people on Flekkerøy had prayed that Skjærgårdsheimen should be run by christians, and that many missionaries would be sent out from the island. In this way, many of the locals on the island had their prayers answered when YWAM bought Skjærgårdsheimen. This gave us an unique and heartily welcome to the island and the people living here.

Isaiah 49,6b has become an important Bible verse for us as a base. And with a view of Oksøy lighthouse, the lighthouse has become a specific symbol for us of what God is calling us to do - to stand firm and show the way through every storm, and let the light shine for people to find their way to God.