About Us

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Greg Hughes, the Founder and Director of WAM, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a heart for the nations and a passion for helping others discover the life-changing adventure of following Jesus—wherever He leads. Married for over 25 years and having raised four incredible kids, I have spent much of my life stepping into opportunities to serve around the globe. For me, missions isn’t just a trip you take—it’s a lifestyle you live. It’s about being willing to go wherever God sends you, trusting that He’s doing something far bigger than you can imagine.

 

I love the mountains of Colorado, but I'm just as at home in a village in Africa, the streets of Southeast Asia, or a church in Central America. My greatest joy is walking with others as they step into what God has called them to—locally and globally.

 

A Heart for Missions

 

I believe that when you say yes to God’s call to go—whether across the street or across the world—you begin to see life through a new lens. You realize that the mission field isn’t just “out there”; it starts right where you are and expands as you follow Him in faith. I’ve led countless mission trips, mentored young leaders, trained churches, and helped individuals and teams navigate what it means to live a life surrendered to Christ and passionate about His purpose.

 

My desire is to help people:

• Discover God’s heart for the nations

• Step outside their comfort zones

• Walk in obedience to the Great Commission

• Experience firsthand what God is doing around the world

 

I believe and have seen that short and long term mission trips changes lives—both those being reached and those doing the reaching.

 

About Greg

 

Greg has spent the last 35+ years leading, training, and discipling others through missions. He’s traveled to more than 116 countries and led thousands of people—students, adults, and families—into global ministry experiences. After beginning his ministry journey with Young Life in college, Greg went on to earn a degree in Youth Ministry and Missions. He served as a Youth Pastor and later became the Missions Director for Oneighty, one of the largest youth groups in the U.S., where he led hundreds of students overseas in just his first year. Greg received advanced missions training through RUN (Reaching Unreached Nations) in Singapore and has worked as a Project Director for a national mission organization. 

 

He also co-founded Big World Ventures, a youth-focused missions ministry that partnered with Focus on the Family leading thousands of "Brio" magazine girls on short term mission trips. He later launched a new missions organization, Wide Awake Missions, after relocating back to Colorado. Greg brings decades of leadership experience, real-world training, and a deep commitment to seeing lives changed through the gospel.

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Mission Statement

 

WAM's mission is to go into all the world and share the good news that Jesus is alive, and all who call on His name will be saved. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we aim to be living witnesses to the joy of salvation—a joy the world cannot offer, but one freely given through Jesus Christ for all people.

 

Vision

 

We envision a world where every believer steps into the mission field, even if just for a short-term trip—because when you go, you begin to see God’s heart for the nations, and often discover His deeper purpose for your life.

 

We believe that:

• Missions is more than a trip—it's the start of a journey.

• Every voice, every testimony matters in reaching the lost.

• God's plan includes you—your gifts, your story, and your willingness.

 

As Revelation 7:9 declares, every nation, tribe, people, and language will be gathered before God's throne. We long to see believers awakened to that reality and compelled to GO, wherever He leads.

 

Philosophy of Ministry & Missions

 

WAM exists in response to Jesus’ command: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” – Mark 16:15

 

We believe:

• Missions is an intentional, lifelong commitment, not a one-time event.

• Every Christian has a role in the harvest—whether up front or behind the scenes.

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Our trips are designed to help people:

• Experience the beauty of God’s creation and the diversity of His people.

• Grow spiritually and discover their God-given gifts.

• Develop a global perspective grounded in Scripture.

• Fearlessly share the Gospel, knowing it is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction and life.

 

We are not the answer—Jesus is. But we are His voice, His hands, and His feet in a world desperate for truth.

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What We Believe

 

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God—holy, trustworthy, and relevant for all generations. Through Scripture, God invites us to know Him, be transformed, and live out His story in our world today.

 

We believe in one eternal God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who created all things good. Made in His image, we are called to live in relationship with God, one another, and creation.

 

We believe that sin entered the world through human disobedience, breaking our connection with God and each other. But God, in His mercy, has always had a plan to redeem what was lost.

 

We believe that through Abraham and Israel, God initiated a redemptive plan for all humanity. Despite their failure, God’s promise endured, leading to the fulfillment of that plan in Jesus Christ.

 

We believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah—fully God and fully man—born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He came to proclaim God’s kingdom, to redeem humanity, and to reconcile us to God through His death, burial, and resurrection.

 

We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells, empowers, convicts, guides, comforts, and equips believers to live out their faith in love and mission.

 

We believe the Church is the global and local expression of Christ on earth—called to worship, practice spiritual disciplines, celebrate baptism and communion, and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

 

We believe that Jesus will return, judge the world, and restore all things. On that day, death will be no more, creation will be renewed, and we will live in perfect relationship with God, others, and the world He created.

 

This is our hope, our calling, and the mission we give our lives to:

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Spiritual Gifts

 

We believe in the active work of the Holy Spirit and His ongoing distribution of spiritual gifts to believers for the purpose of building up the Church and advancing the Gospel. These gifts are supernatural empowerments, given by God to equip Christ-followers to fulfill the Great Commission and minister to others in ways beyond natural ability. Jesus Himself, empowered by the Spirit, performed miracles, prophesied, and healed—and He called His followers to do the same (Luke 9:1, Acts 10:38).

 

The New Testament outlines spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and elsewhere. Believers are encouraged to eagerly desire and actively use these gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1; 2 Timothy 1:6).

We also believe the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) is the clearest evidence of a Spirit-filled life. Love, joy, peace, and the other fruits are signs of maturity and Christlike character.

 

Our focus is always on Jesus—not the gifts themselves—and our desire is to glorify God in all we do.
We expect the Holy Spirit to empower every believer to serve, witness, and walk in obedience as part of God's global mission.​​​