YWAM England said it had had to learn several ‘hard lessons’ to get the licence back, and that it is delighted with the Home Office’s decision. The mission organisation was told in December that its licence to sponsor visas, which allowed it to bring missionaries come to the UK, had been suspended.

A YWAM statement said: ‘The consequences for YWAM, should our licence have been revoked, would have been profound…In stark terms, almost half of YWAM’s missionaries – approximately 300 people plus spouses and children – would have had to make alternative future plans. It would have affected YWAM’s activities, in-house training, social outreach and external ministries.

‘We thank God that this situation has been so satisfactorily resolved and wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to all who have given support to us during this trying time. We have felt supported and encouraged and remain wholly committed to our pledge “to know God and make Him known”.’