WYAM for the retired, bereaved okay?

[justasking111]

"Youth With A Mission - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_With_A_Mission

A friend of ours in his seventies whose wife died, is very lonely. He's become involved with WYAM, husband is concerned because he's so involved is this a stage of grieving. It's a young person's church worldwide.

Is this okay husband and friends are concerned.

Are they being unreasonable?

Leave the man to grieve in peace. Maybe it is part of his grieving but if it’s helping and not harming other people leave him to it.

Lots of people turn to God or feel closer or discover faith for the first time after a bereavement of a deep and immediate connection such as a spouse, parent or child. Whether you believe or not, or agree with any specific church or not, it's not for you to say or judge. There's often a need to do something positive, as well, in the face of the helplessness caused by the loss.

He's lost his life partner and is channelling his energy into something else. People do that.

YABU.

Well its better than going to sit in the pub all day, drinking pints.
What's the concern?

I assume the OP is concerned not about him finding religion but about the reputation of this particular group given alleged cult behaviour etc.

This is what is worrying husband and mates. They're saying it's a worldwide cult. I've no idea.

YWAM is not a cult.

I think I went to some of their events when I was younger. Not cult-ish to me. But I suppose it's where you draw the line with the church being a cult and holding events and encouraging young people to join in.

Leave him be unless you can actually see he's in danger or it's affecting him negatively.

I don't know the organisation concerned, but I would just try to keep an eye out for possible red flags, whilst letting him carry on if it's helping him.
If he starts talking about being asked to give regular 'donations' (I'm not talking about a collection plate at the end of the service) or appears to be under pressure to attend more and more events/reduce time significantly with family and friends you might have reason for concern.

He hasn't got any family locally, just a few hobby friends.

They seem to alternate between praying/chanting and working on restoration project.

It gives him pleasure.