Helping Europe’s young people grow in faith
Thirty years with YWAM, serving university campuses and the written word
Kim Cimio
Missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) · Author
Studied Aesthetics, Seoul National University · M.A. in Western Classical Studies, Seoul National University
Kim entered the Department of Aesthetics at Seoul National University in 1991. In 1996, carrying a vision for mission in Europe, Kim took a leave from university and moved to France, beginning to serve as YWAM staff. In the years that followed Kim served in many countries across Asia and Europe, and led Schools of Worldview in Germany, France, Russia and Italy as school leader. In 2017, upon completing a graduate degree in Western Classical Studies at Seoul National University, Kim began ministry in Ukraine.
After moving to Sweden for university ministry, Kim planted a Christian student fellowship at Stockholm University, where none had existed, meeting with students every week to share faith and pray for the campus. Having grown in faith through a YWAM student fellowship as a university student, Kim has from the beginning placed at the center of this ministry the desire to help university students in Europe, where few practice their faith, grow in Christ. Today Kim lives in Berlin, devoted to writing and publishing Christian books and producing videos that nurture faith.
Books
The River of God (2026) has been published in more than ten languages, including English. It has been translated into Arabic, Persian, Chinese, French, Bengali, Marathi, Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, Polish and Swedish, and translations into some ten more languages are planned. Buy it now
Areas of Ministry
- YWAM university ministry: building student fellowships on campuses in Korea, Stockholm and Berlin
- YWAM School of Worldview: teaching a Christian worldview as school leader and staff in Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Ukraine and beyond
- Pioneering: pioneering the YWAM base in Perugia, Italy
- Writing and publishing: authoring Christian books and publishing them in many languages
- Video: producing video content that strengthens faith
History
2024 – Present
YWAM university ministry, YWAM Berlin
The River of God published in more than ten languages, including English
2021 – 2023
Moved to Stockholm for YWAM university ministry; planted a Christian student fellowship at Stockholm University
Returned to Korea after visa extension was denied
Staff, YWAM School of Worldview, Stockholm
2015 – 2020
Sabbatical; M.A. in Western Classical Studies, Seoul National University
YWAM ministry in Ukraine; School Leader, YWAM School of Worldview, Kyiv
2008 – 2014
Staff, YWAM University Ministry School, Thailand; Staff, YWAM School of Worldview, Australia and Germany
School Leader, YWAM School of Worldview in Germany, France, Russia and Italy
2001 – 2007
Pioneered YWAM Perugia base, Italy
Staff, DTS, YWAM France
YWAM university ministry outreach, East Timor
Organizing committee, Jerusalem Peace March
Interpreter staff, LTS, YWAM University of the Nations, Jeju
Outreaches at the FIFA World Cup, Germany, and the Pan American Games, Brazil
1996 – 2001
YWAM staff in France (left university to follow a call to mission in Europe)
University ministry and national office, YWAM Korea
Vision
This ministry began with Kim’s own experience of growing in faith through a YWAM student fellowship at university. The first aim is to help young people in Europe, where few practice their faith, grow in Christ. Kim also seeks to write and translate books that nourish the Christian life, and to publish them steadily in many languages.
Prayer Requests
- That the visa extension will be granted without difficulty
- God’s wisdom for writing and video production
- Strength and health for a demanding travel schedule
Contact
Email: cimio@cimio.net
Instagram: @cimio.kim