Iain John Muir
Iain is affectionately known as a grandfather of YWAM in Africa. After responding to the call from God in 1971, he made a lifetime commitment to serve in missions.
Iain and his wife Kerstin and two children were courageous in living through apartheid in South Africa and creating a missionary community that made an immense difference around the world. Iain traveled constantly encouraging the fledgling YWAM works in Africa in the 70’s and 80’s.
He often said that Africa was in his blood and it was his hope and dream for the people of Africa to be involved in missions around the world.
There are people throughout Africa who regard Iain and Kerstin as spiritual parents. Iain was a man of wisdom, kindness and vision and continues to be an inspiration to us in YWAM. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”.
Kerstin predeceased Iain in 2000.
A life of integrity is a rare treasure. It was my privilege to observe the Christ-like character of Iain Muir, particularly during the later part of his life when YWAM was going through great turbulence and change.
Very few would have had both favor with God and man in a way that qualified them to lead us into the future. A future that we now enjoy. He was a man of courage, gentle compassion, wisdom, long-suffering and patience.
I’m deeply grateful to God for Iain’s companionship as he functioned as a true spiritual father, navigating the complexities of international YWAM and the global church. I know that the seed of his life now lies in the memory of thousands of younger leaders.
May the legacy of this loving man be multiplied.
With gratitude,
John Dawson
President Emeritus, YWAM International
Iain Muir was known far and wide for his wisdom. I first met Iain in 1971, in London where he was already a Chartered Accountant. Though he had a qualification with which he could have made a very comfortable living, his heart was in missions, and Africa in particular.
He served as a senior leader in Africa for decades, before returning to England to be part of the YWAM community in Harpenden. Iain and his wife Kerstin shared a call to Africa, and when they moved to England their home was a place of beautiful, thoughtful hospitality. Kerstin’s God-given gift of service shone thorough everything she did. Her Swedish heritage was evident throughout their home, in that the best quality furnishings and food were always a joy to experience.
When Iain was appointed to the role of International Director it was because he was an obvious choice. For a decade and a half Iain Muir joined John Dawson and myself as members of Team3, with global responsibility in YWAM. John and I learned that we could trust Iain’s wisdom, and needed it before we finalised any major decision. As a team of three we operated in easy unity, and it was Iain’s Christlike character that was a major reason for the ease.
Iain also served tirelessly and sacrificially. He was regularly called upon to help resolve difficult issues, and if that meant changing time zones more times than he could count in any given month, he would do it without complaint.
When Kerstin died of cancer in 2000, Iain grieved, but resumed his responsibilities, even as he contemplated moving to another location. For some years he served on the YWAM Board in Sweden and lived at the Restenas base until the last few years of his life.
When Iain began to decline, we were devastated. He settled in Northern Ireland to be close to his sister and brother-in-law, and I visited him regularly. Though he was suffering from a form of dementia, his gentle and kind character remained with him to the end of his days. He is still greatly missed.
Lynn Green