Youth With a Mission has been ministering in the Philippines since 1968.

Although YWAMers had worked on outreaches in Manila for years, 1983 marked the beginning for a permanent YWAM work in the metropolis, pioneered by a creative ministries from Honolulu.

At this time Kel Steiner returned to the Philippines and assumed the national directorship while Ross & Margaret moved to YWAM Hawaii.

The National Headquarters shifted from Baguio to Quezon City while the DTS moved to Antipolo.

Jeff Romack took over leadership of YWAM Baguio and the ministry to the students and the pre-school ministry continued. A mercy ministry started and ministry to mountain people intensified.

During the next three years, six more ministry locations opened in

Metro Manila, Olongapo, Surigao, and a further base in the Mountain region of Northern Luzon while the Abatan base moved to Bontoc.

In addition, a number of indigenous churches were established among:

Squatter Communities in Metro Manila, Tribal People in Baguio and Villages in the Cordillera mountains.

After the period of 1983-86, YWAM Philippines underwent a period of consolidation after the rapid growth while the country was hit by the Baguio earthquake, increased typhoons and attempted coups against the Aquino administration.