Sylvia Kamande
Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Sylvia Kamande previously served with YWAM in Santiago, Chile, on the Frontier Mission Team in Chile.
In 2016, She began serving with Because Justice Matters in the Tenderloin to to help break the cycle of fear, violence, and hopelessness which many women and girls experience in San Francisco.
We asked Sylvia some questions about her ministry, and here’s how she responded:
Briefly share about what you do in your current role.
I am the Family Ministry Director at Because Justice Matters and also part of the Executive team. My passion is creating brave places for moms to celebrate, learn new things, discover greater ways to grow in leadership, and strengthen their families. I really believe transformational relationships are key in community development.
What do you love about serving as a Missionary?
Over the last 9 years, I’ve served in so many different capacities… but the one thing I love the most is about serving is the relationships. Whether it be over a meal, coffee, across a table, or under a tree, I love listening to people share their stories of resilience, pain, joy, and grief. Together, you can discover God’s heart for them and evidence of His love and goodness in their story. It is something I never want to take for granted. Seeing the transformation happen — or not seeing it at times, but trusting that God will do it — has encouraged me everyday to turn up and be present.
Describe something God has shown you during your time serving as a Missionary.
It’s so important to take a moment and pause and reflect on who God is and what He has done and is doing. We can get so caught up in the next mission or “big thing” that we lose sight of the small things He is doing every day. We can easily forget how faithful He is if don’t pause and remember all that He has done.
What has been your most memorable experience serving as a Missionary?
I remember about seven years ago, I was in Mozambique with YWAM Chile on a missions trip. We met a local pastor who had started about 48 house churches with his brother. It was amazing to see all they had done, going around teaching at the different churches. They invited us to help plant one more in a particular village that been hard to access. We developed a relationship with the chief, and he accepted Jesus! Through that key relationship, others also accepted Jesus and got baptized. The chief gave us a piece of his land, and we started the church. To this day, they continue to gather and and fellowship together.
You can connect with Sylvia by emailing her. And if you’d like to financially support her ministry, visit ywamsanfrancisco.org/give, select your payment method, and denote “Sylvia Kamande” for the donation.
Meet Our Missionaries
Learn about some of our other Local Missionaries serving in the Bay Area.
