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Category: Missionary Member Articles

God’s Heart of Hospitality

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You and I are lucky.  We are saturated with the Gospel.  We hear it, read it and share it all the time.  That’s what our mission is about: To know God, be filled with His truth, and make Him known, so others will be filled with His truth too.

But how often do we see the Gospel as essential as hospitality?  Even more, how often do we consciously live out and share the gospel by practicing hospitality?

Hospitality.  What come to your mind when you hear the term “hospitality”?

If this thought came across your mind: “not for me!”, you wouldn’t be the first.  There is a common misconception that before practicing hospitality, one needs to be gifted in entertaining, cooking, home decoration and reproducing DIY projects found on Pinterest.  If this were true, the majority of us out there would not even qualify (stick figures and burnt cookies anyone?)  And gentlemen? I’m sorry, but unless you’re willing to wear frilled aprons you sewed out of recycled material and decorate cupcakes for your next book club meeting, you should leave hospitality to the ladies.  Now, this seems silly, I know, and slightly offensive, but how many of us have bought this lie that hospitality is beyond our capacity?

Webster’s 1826 dictionary defines hospitality as “The practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward.”  And hospitality is for everyone.

Thanks to social media and an access to trends at our fingertips, it is easy to believe the world’s glamorous version of hospitality is all there is to it.  Only, as with most good things under the sun, hospitality finds it’s origin in the character and the creativity of God.  And his definition of hospitality is more than food, drinks and pretty spaces.  It is Webster’s definition, and it is so much more.

God himself has shown us what true hospitality is is in the story of the Gospel.  It begins with the Trinity looking for ways to extend their relationship to others.  So God creates mankind and gives it a beautiful place to live in, to steward and to make even better.  But the Fall estranges man from God; their friendship is no longer the same.  Even though man rejects Him, God relentlessly works throughout the next centuries to restore and bring mankind back into an unbroken communion with Him.  He finds a willing few, like Abraham, to whom he extends the invitation of being a friend of God and the promise that this friendship will be a blessing to all nations.  Just read Abraham’s story in Genesis to see how he was welcomed by God into His great Gospel plan and how Abraham showed hospitality to many, while himself being a nomad in strange lands.  It is fascinating!  And at some point in time, God himself comes down to be among his estranged creation.

Jesus, Trinity’s secret to the restoration of creation, not only demonstrated hospitality by dwelling with men, but throughout his time on earth, he also modeled genuine hospitality.  He invited strangers like Andrew, Nathaniel and Levi to follow him.  He purposefully shared meals with tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners.  He allowed himself to be interrupted by people who voiced out their need for him, giving them in return, not a cold shoulder nor a grumble, but all of his attention.  I’d say, from receiving invitations into people’s homes, to preparing breakfast for his closest friends, Jesus’ ministry was one unending display of hospitality!

And it all culminated at the cross.  Motivated by obedience and infinite love, Jesus pays the penalty of death for all sins accumulated, and yet to come, since the Fall by mankind.  He takes our place.  His stretched out hands on the wooden beam mirrored the stretched out hands of the Father, welcoming home all misfits and prodigals.  The invitation is out there: for all those who’ll acknowledge the son’s sacrifice.  God is extending his friendship, His very self, and he tells his now, not so stranger friends, that he’s preparing a place for them in heaven and that the party is on!  Will they, will we, accept or refuse this act of hospitality?

The really cool thing about the gospel is that it doesn’t end with reconciliation between God and men.  In Jesus, now all relationships are reconciled!  We “are no longer strangers and aliens but we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” Paul writes in Ephesians.   So although we may not know everyone on a familial basis, we have a responsibility to treat others as though we are family, not strangers.  This means more than just being polite to our pew neighbors in church.  It means showing hospitality in all sort of forms, just as we were shown hospitality by God.  The New Testament abounds with commands directed at us:

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality”  (Romans 12:13).

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”  (1 Peter 4:9)

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7)

And hospitality, as hard and inconvenient at times, (But, but! I’m busy), to already show those we like or are more likely to agree with, is also required of us towards complete strangers.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

Jesus knew that one of the greatest keys to a persons heart is by showing them kindness and hospitality. Not with strings attached, motivated by quid-pro quo.  Hospitality motivated by love. Think about it: how did you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus?  What makes home a home?  What person, aside from your immediate family, has had the greatest influence in your life?  Can you name your favorite primary school teacher?  What’s the best thing anyone ever did for you?  If you can tie back any of your answers to these questions to some form of hospitality displayed to you, there are high chances you were shown a biblical form of hospitality.  The kind that, just like God who draws the unlikely to him so he can bless them, moved your heart into a position ready to receive an unexpected kindness.  And my guess is that this act of hospitality wasn’t glamorous.  But it sure was born out of love. “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13: 34-35).

We’re called to love and proclaim this gospel.  Let’s not just proclaim it, let’s act it out through gestures of unexpected, unrequited kindness and hospitality.  What will you do today to show hospitality?

Hospitality is at the heart of the Gospel.  It is in fact the very message of the Gospel.

G—Generosity. To show hospitality to anybody, whether it is to your best friend or to the mailman, is a conscious choice that requires an action from your part.

O—Open hearts open doors. The warmest of welcome into your home is also a welcome into your soul. It’s acknowledging the other persons need for comfort and

S—Selfless. Jesus warned about showing hospitality only to those we know will pay us back with affection, status, or another invitation.

P—People. People. People. Hospitality is more than creating pretty looking spaces and beautiful table settings. It’s only relevant if there is

E—Everyone. Why limit yourself to those you know? Jesus ate and hung out with people who did not always agree with him and who had different interests than him.

L—Love

Hospitality is also spiritual warfare.  It’s going in the opposite spirit as individualism. Loneliness and lack of true meaningful relationships are the fruits of individualism.

Here are some ideas to get you brainstorming:

Think of your colleagues, the people who work closest with you.  Why not give them room for their input and intentionally let them take the lead on certain projects?  Bring them coffee or treat them to lunch, either in or out.  Instead of talking about work, ask them to share about their spiritual life, their hobbies, etc.  On Friday, right before the end of the work day, call all of your co-workers together for a little break.  Pass the chips and salsa around while honoring those who’ve shown leadership, responsibility, generosity, patience, hard-work, etc, throughout the week.  Make sure to use specific events and to celebrate people.  Keep the criticism for another time.

What does it look like to be Jesus’ disciple?

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Most of us are familiar with the story of Saul and the road to Damascus, but if you aren’t, you will still be able to take away the heart of what I’m trying to communicate through this simple blog. My heart in writing this is to inspire growth in any Christian’s life who is currently pursuing a life after the heart of Jesus.  How do we get closer to Jesus? What does it look like to live as one of his Disciples?  Look at the life of – mainly the conversion of – Saul, the zealot, from a life in Judaism and legality, to Paul the apostle, the Christian, who is sold out for Jesus and his namesake.  Being a part of Youth with A Missions’ Discipleship training schools in Lakeside, Montana, I have seen what happened to Paul, take place in the life of many as well as my own.  There are three simple aspects I want to point out, that lead someone to a place that we all desire, in knowing Christ more and becoming someone who lives a life abandoned to Jesus.

Look up

No one I know has had as traumatic of a conversion and revelation as Paul did while traveling to Damascus.  Jesus reveals himself to Paul in a bright light from heaven (Acts 9:3) that knocks him to the ground.  Followed by a voice, which Paul immediately recognizes as his Lord.  Not the ‘Christianese Lord’, but one who is supreme over Paul, one who is in control over Paul.  Paul recognizes Jesus as this, it seems fitting if we place ourselves in the scenario.  Not only do we see this in the way Paul addresses him with his words, but also in his obedience following Jesus’ command. (Which, let’s be honest, if a voice coming from a light gave you a command and takes your sight, you’d probably do whatever it’s asking.)  Paul surrenders to Jesus.  He has a revelation, and he responds.

If we are truly looking to have our lives transformed, it must start here.  We MUST recognize Jesus as Lord, as God, as the one who is know over and in charge of your life.  This is how we look up. Looking up changes the way our minds work.  We become aligned with His will, disregarding our own.  That is how Jesus becomes Lord in our lives.  In this, we also see how God is faithful to Paul, in restoring his sight, and making his plan for Paul to be used as God’s instrument start to take place.

Look in

After Paul receives his sight back, he starts to have his entire foundation violently shaken.  All that he thought he knew, and the life of ‘righteousness’ he was living, now was being re-constructed. Paul spent a period of time re-learning all he thought he knew, as Jesus now had become a part of his life.  Things that Paul thought he understood, things he heard and studied his entire life, as all good little Jewish boys did.  How do I know this?  With there being a few years in between his conversion and his ministry time, as he talks about in Galatians 1, look at the life before and after.  Instead of seeing the Law as something to abide by, it became a way for Paul to know the heart of the Lord, that is, to live and dwell with his people.

In the same way Paul’s foundation was shaken, we too must submit all we have heard, read and studied at the feet of Jesus.  This would allow true change, not just in behavior, but also in the ‘roots’, or heart of our lives.  Instead of legalism being the face of Christianity, the relationship God has always desired for his people takes root. This is how we look in.  You allow Jesus to speak identity over you and, things you have always heard, start to make sense.  Your character and maturity move more toward Jesus. It may look like taking a few years, as did Paul, to submerge yourself in the Word and in time spent just with Jesus, develop character and discipline.  Which leads me to the final aspect we can see in the transformation of Saul to Paul.

Look out

After Paul’s time away, as he has come to know the Lord over his life, and God has made him into his instrument, he heads into the world of the Gentiles (non-believers) with a new purpose and mission.  After being submerged in the will of his Lord, his goal has changed dramatically.  Instead of looking to do harm to the church, his new mission is bringing as many as are willing into the church.

As we spend more and more time in the presence of Jesus, God changes our character and we become more discipling in the things that draw us closer to Him, what now?  Now we Look Out. When we truly know Jesus as Lord over our lives and we have submitted to His will above ours and we spent time allowing Him to shape our ‘foundation’, it is but a reaction to overflow with all we have been given.  This is Missions.  Missions are not an obligation or a duty as Christians.  Now hear my heart here, Missions can become just a sense of legality.  SUCCESSFUL Missions, however, come because we have started to grasp just a little bit of who Jesus really is!  Missions becomes an outflow because our hearts are now starting to resemble His!

I don’t claim to be a theologian or a scholar, but I do know things we see in Paul’s life have been a part of my life.  If you are truly hungry to see God work in your life and become the Lord of your life, if you are looking to pursue this relationship with Jesus, you will find that missions, or ministry, will become an overflow of life with Him.  These three aspects of Paul’s life, and what I hope to become a part of your life, won’t be a one-time occurrence.  Rather, I believe in it becoming a part of the Christian life.  We need Him to reveal Himself, to change us, to reach others, to see more of who He is, to change us, to reach others… etc.

The Surge From Taipei’s Point of View

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YWAM Montana is partnering with YWAM Taipei in an initiative called “The Surge”. We are partnering with YWAM Taipei’s vision to pioneer YWAM locations in 3 of the least-reached areas of Taiwan. We’re also working together towards three God-sized goals.

We want to see 500 Disciples. YWAM Taipei is defining this as “new believers who are receiving ongoing discipleship”. We want to see 50 Church Partnerships. These are church partnerships that will be active “giving and receiving relationships” between YWAM Taipei and the local churches around Taiwan. Finally, we want to see 50 Missionaries sent long term. We’re talking about people really leaving (in the Abrahamic sense) and moving to a location with the intention of being there for at least 5 years.

This summer we had the pleasure of having several YWAM Taipei staff join us for our summer quarter. While they were here they put together this video to share what The Surge has meant to them so far. We’re excited to see that The Surge is already having an impact and we look forward to the ways that God will use this partnership over the next two years.

[promote_post title=”Learn more about The Surge” post_id=”3578″ description=”Our first Surge location is our Target Nation Taiwan.  We are partnering with YWAM Taipei’s vision to pioneer YWAM ministries in 3 of the least-reached areas of Taiwan…”/]

Questions: Discipline and Discipleship

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What is the best question you’ve ever been asked?

How did it make you want to respond? Did it stir up something inside you?  

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve sin. They disobey God, turning their backs on him, they run head-long into rebellion. As they hide from God, He calls out to them “Where are you?”  (Genesis 3:9)

Did God really not know where Adam was? Of course He knew.

So then, why did he ask the question?  “Where are you?”

We often want to ask “WHY?”

Why, God, did this happen?
Why were they so stupid?
Why is all mankind cursed as a result?
Why God – WHY?

Maybe the more important questions we can ask are “WHAT” and “HOW”, instead of “WHY”.  These are questions that unlock the story for us – They help us to study God’s Word for ourselves.

What was God trying to get Adam to see?
He is trying to get Adam to see he is alone and lost without God.

How was God using this question to provoke communication?
God was getting Adam to take his eyes off his ‘surroundings’ (Eve, the Serpent), and getting him to take responsibility for his own actions.

What was God communicating in this question?
I still want a relationship with you Adam.  I know what you did, and I am here to talk.

As the story goes on, we see God using questions to help Adam unlock the reality of the situation.  “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:11

God is using questions. What is God trying to get at? Genesis 3:13 – What is this that you have done? This is a fantastic question – “What is this that you have done?”  This question is full of implicational thinking. It is full of possibilities. It is full of consequences.

This is a question that communicates in a way that CONTINUES to communicate long after the question has been asked.

Adam will spend his life considering this question.  It has unlocked something in him. In one question, God has disciplined, and God has discipled. Questions are part of God’s communication. They are part of his discipline and discipleship.  

Ten years ago, God asked me a question – “How are you living, and How are you dying?  Is the way you’re living worth dying for?”  In that moment, God disciplined me (Son, your life right now is not a worthy life), and God disciple me (Son, let me give you a picture of what true life really is in Christ).

For us, How is our discipleship?  How do we discipline?  What can we learn from God’s own communication?

How can we incorporate God’s style of question asking into our own communication?

So that Jesus is Glorified

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During a Discipleship Training School students travel from all over the world to a particular location to learn that God speaks, that He wants to speak to them, that He has a call on their lives and a purpose for them. They learn about the character and nature of God through scripture and who God says that they are because of what Jesus did on the cross and through His resurrection. It is a time of strengthening identity and foundation in their faith; it is incredible! In every school we see God bring healing and transformation, and we see people gain a better understanding of God’s heart for them and for others. All of this is amazing to watch.

But it was never meant to stop there!

All of the healing and transformation and truth that is heard and believed throughout a DTS is for a purpose: so that Jesus would be glorified in our lives! Youth With a Mission is a missions organization and our mission is “to know God and to make Him known”. You could even say that our mission is to know God so that we can make Him known. As believers, disciples of Jesus, our mission comes from the Great Commission in Matt. 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’”.

our mission is to know God so that we can make Him known

For this upcoming Fall DTS, we have been praying for God to highlight a theme for us to focus on. We have felt God reminding us of the purpose of our own personal growth in our relationship with Him: we are called to preach the gospel and make disciples in all the nations, pointing them to Jesus!

This Fall’s theme for DTS is “…so that Jesus is Glorified!” The verse that the Lord gave us is 2 Thess. 1:11-12

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)

Our prayer is that as God draws us into a deeper relationship with him during this season, we will see our personal growth as unto something greater. May the end result be that through that deeper relationship with God, we understand more of His heart to share with others and seek to pour out all that has been invested in us to the world around us…so that Jesus is glorified!

We want to invite you to be a part of what God is wanting to do both in – and through – all of us this Fall. We anticipate that God is going to do some very profound things and we are incredibly excited about what He continues to share with us. Maybe the Lord is leading you to consider joining us. Please pray about it. Perhaps God wants to meet you in a special way too, “so that…”

How Dangerous is Outdoor Adventure Ministry?

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“You did what!?!?” – Anyone who participates in outdoor adventures has probably heard this phrase before. I know I’ve heard it from my parents, friends, and ministry partners quite a few times. This question used to be a big point of frustration for me, but now I’ve made it my goal to help understand the truth about the outdoors.

What we do feels like second nature to us, but most of our outdoor activities are perceived as dangerous to most people. Many people have a skewed view of the outdoor industry. They hear about the radical climbers who scale 2,000 ft. cliffs without ropes or the stories about hikers getting struck by lightning (like my friend did in Glacier National Park 2 years ago), falling off cliffs, or getting swept away by an avalanche. Even though these accidents are actually few and far between, these are the stories that tend to stick in people’s minds.

The Myth of Outdoor Adventure Risk

Would you believe me if I told you that participating in outdoor adventures isn’t really as dangerous as you might think? Let me refer you to a 20 year safety study that was conducted by Project Adventure (Furlong, Jillings, LaRhette, & Ryan, 1995).

This group looked at a number of different activities and the number of accidents that occurred over the course of a million hours of each activity:

  • Adventure activities: 4.33 per one million hours (including challenge course)
  • Real Estate, Insurance, and Finance Occupations: 4.5 accidents per million hours
  • Educational Services: 8 accidents per million hours
  • Amusement and Recreational Services: 19 accidents per million hours
  • Physical Education Classes: 9.6 accidents per million hours

I’m less likely to have an accident than a person who sells houses

Compared to Physical Education Classes, my line of work in outdoor adventure ministry is twice as safe. I’m less likely to have an accident than a person who sells houses, safer than a number cruncher, and even safer than the person who insures my outdoor ministry!

Perceived Risk versus Actual Risk

The difference between the outdoor enthusiast and the city slicker is that the outdoor enthusiast (if properly trained) knows the difference between Perceived Risk, and Actual Risk. Let me give you an example:

Imagine that an untrained person and myself are both standing on the top of a 100 ft. rock cliff attached to a rope, preparing to rappel down. As the untrained person walks closer to the edge he stops with his toes hanging over the edge, his eyes get wide, and his heart jumps into his throat with fear. His Perceived Risk is that he is going to fall to his death… or at best, break every bone and be in a body cast for the rest of his life.

When I walk to the edge until my toes are hanging over the edge, my heart rate barely rises. I’m enjoying the beauty of my surroundings and the thrill of being safe while I defy gravity thanks to my rope. I know the Actual Risk of what we’re doing. I know that my rope can hold the weight of a Toyota Tundra (around 5,000 pounds.), and the anchor that I am attached to could probably hold 2 of them.

Don’t Let Fear Rule Your Life

If you’re a person that’s interested in the great outdoors, but maybe you’ve been letting your fear get the better of you, know that there is a difference between Perceived Risk and Actual Risk. Next time you see someone doing something that seems crazy to you, take a moment and ask yourself, “Should I try that?” You might be surprised by your own answer. 

There’s a whole world out there begging to be explored. Don’t let your fears get in the way of what God has in store for you.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can use your love of outdoor adventures on the mission field check out our Endurance Discipleship Training School and our Outdoor Ministry Program.

*Furlong, Jillings, LaRhette, & Ryan Project Adventure Study

Christians Should Read

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I was never one of those people you would find lying on the beach, cuddled up by a fireplace, or sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying a good book. The library was not a place to find a good read, but a place for me to find DVDs and magazines. Despite the fact that I’ve grown up around book lovers my entire life, I loathed reading. Other than the books I was forced to read in school, I can count the number of books I’ve read on 2 hands. But to my surprise (and to those who knew me growing up) I have found a love and a passion for reading! I could now spend hours in the library or used book stores, and going out with my husband to read sounds like a perfect date.

This year I read over 7,000 pages in the Directed Readings in Discipleship Course, reading books on many different topics, such as the character of God, worldview, and church history. My life was impacted in greater ways than I ever imagined, and has produced in me a strong desire to learn. Let me share with you why I think every believer should practice the discipline of reading.

It Will Enrich Your Personal Relationship With God

Reading different perspectives from many different authors has caused me to think more deeply about my beliefs. I came across opinions I agreed with, some that I disagreed with, and some that I wasn’t sure if I agreed with or not, which lead me to seek God for answers. This doesn’t mean that I have formed opinions on everything and have found all of the answers, but it has forced me to trust God and rely on him for wisdom.

Reading will quickly remind you of how much you desperately need God!

Reading will also enhance your relationship with God because you will find many areas in your life that you can improve on. Whether you are a new believer or you have been following Christ for years, you will always find areas of your life that need to be surrendered to Jesus. Reading on a regular basis is an extremely humbling experience if you focus on applying truth to your life. Reading is very beneficial because of the knowledge you will gain, but all of this is useless if you do not apply the truth to your own life. If you find yourself becoming stagnant or complacent in your walk with God, reading will quickly remind you of how much you desperately need God!

It Will Equip You to Disciple Others

The discipline of reading is an essential tool for becoming an effective discipler. For many years I have had a heart to disciple others, but I lacked the proper skills to do so. Unfortunately, due to my lack of study, I have made mistakes in discipling others. I did not know what I was doing, even though my intentions were good. Learning more about God’s character, my own identity, and my relationships with others has better equipped me to disciple others. I now feel more confident in my ability to disciple, which has led to a greater passion within me to see God’s truth change the lives of others.

It Will Give You a Heart for the Lost

Sharing the truth with those who do not believe in Jesus has always been a scary task for me because I lacked the confidence to share my beliefs. My fear of not having all of the right answers, or not having any answers at all, stopped me from sharing the gospel to a world that is full of questions. Through reading, I have been convicted of my responsibility to spread the gospel. I am no longer satisfied with simply saying “I do not know”, and then letting others do the hard work. All believers are called to share the good news of Christ, which means we must cultivate our minds to be able to effectively share the truth with our world.

So Pick Up a Book!

As my mind grows, it may make possible the growth of others

“We do not develop our intellects merely for our own personal advancement, but we put our thinking to work for the use of others… As my mind grows, it may make possible the growth of others.” Gordon MacDonald

I have learned that having a regular discipline of reading will create a deep hunger within you to learn. We do not read so that we can be puffed up with knowledge. We read to be able to share this knowledge with others, which will lead to seeing lives changed as they experience the truth of Jesus impact their lives.

3 Reasons Why DTS is So Effective

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I remember when I did my Discipleship Training School with YWAM. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t have any friends who had done it, or anyone to really ask questions about the program. All I knew was that I needed to “Go”. I wasn’t really sure what that meant either, funny as that is. But I had this longing in my heart to both “do something for God”, as well as a desire to get away from home in some capacity. Maybe it was a longing for adventure, or just a need to satisfy my restlessness. Anyway, whatever it was, it was enough to get me moving.

I think God will use whatever He can to help us follow His will for our lives. In my case, I didn’t even really know what I wanted. But God still used the opportunity to bring me to a place where He could reveal Himself to me in a life-changing way. In fact, looking back I would say that DTS was one of the most impacting times in my life. I could even clearly define for you the difference between who I was before DTS, and who I am now after God did so much in my heart through my DTS experience.

That was many years ago. And now, after so many years, I am still amazed by DTS. I have spent the last 9 years of my life working in DTS in different capacities. During those years, I have watched hundreds of students come to DTS. All of them from different backgrounds, even different countries, and many for different reasons as well. But one thing is for sure, they all left changed. I mean transformed, really. Like, they met with the living God, and He did major work in their hearts, and they left having a better understanding of who God really is, who they are in His eyes, and what is their place in the world.

So this finally leads me to the question that I’ve been asking myself about DTS. Maybe you’ve wondered the same thing.

What’s the big deal?

What makes DTS so effective?

Well, here goes…

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Leaving Home

One thing that makes doing a Discipleship Training School so effective, and fairly unique, is the fact that every student has to leave home. In fact, some of the students travel from other countries around the world to come do a DTS here at YWAM Montana. This is actually one of my favorite parts about DTS. There is something challenging, and yet freeing, about leaving home, school, job, even friends and family, to pursue a deeper relationship with God.

It makes me think about Abraham. In Genesis 12, God calls Abraham out of a great city at the time, Ur. God then tells Abraham to go where He leads him, and promises that He will lead him to a land that will be his own, and he will be blessed. So what does Abraham do? He goes. He doesn’t even know where! He just goes, and along the way God reveals Himself more and more to Abraham. It took a great level of trust for Abraham to leave everything he knew; everyone he knew, and go where God led him. But the payoff was amazing. A life and legacy of fulfilled promises.

DTS is not about escaping. It’s about re-creating.

So that is the blessing that awaits every DTS student. The opportunity to leave an old life behind. Old habits. Even old friends. You know those people in our lives that keep reminding us of who we don’t want to be, and whenever we try to be the person God called us to be, they somehow drag us back to our old ways? Sometimes, we just need a clean break from those relationships. But DTS is not about escaping. It’s about re-creating. In DTS, you have the wonderful opportunity to discover who Jesus made you to be, and actually become that person. Actually be that person. That New Identity.


Thinking about getting involved in missions? Learn more about a YWAM Discipleship Training School!

A Discipleship Training School is a 5 1/2 month intensive missions and discipleship course. The journey begins in Lakeside, Montana where students get to learn and grow in the Lord followed by traveling to an outreach location to make God known in the nations.

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Common Focus

Another great aspect of DTS, is that you are surrounded by other students who are in the same boat. They also are leaving an old life behind, and stepping into a new life. They also are discovering how good and faithful God really is. How loving He really is. Together we get to experience the living God, and let Him shape the way we think.

Working with a team of people is a great experience. When we come together with a common focus, we are able to accomplish great things. Not only that but it also helps us to grow in the Lord. The world is so full of distractions, right? How many times have you made the decision to pursue a deeper relationship with God, only to have your focus shift because the people in our lives have a totally different focus from our own? We are easy influenced. Admit it.

This is why it’s so important to surround ourselves with people with a common focus. When we are pursuing God together, we stay on track. When one of us wanders off a little, the positive influence of our godly friends helps steer us back on course. This is not something that all Christians have. At least, not at the depth that we may be longing for. Have you ever thought, “There must be more”? Me too. Welcome :)

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Community Momentum

There is one more thing that I’d like to point out as a major strength in DTS. It’s similar to having a common focus. Really, I think it’s the fruit of having a common focus.

I’m not much of a sports guy. Watching sports on TV just isn’t very exciting to me. But every once in a while, I will go with friends and family to a baseball game. Something happens when I’m there. As the stadium gathers together to root for their favorite team, I can’t help but find myself also getting really excited. I find myself cheering for the team; joining in the excitement. I even get emotional. It’s weird. But it’s kind of refreshing too.

It’s so good to care about something.

It makes me feel alive.

During DTS, we see a lot of cool stuff happen in people’s lives. I mean, we see people who are struggling with depression get set free and become full of joy. We see people who are overcome with shame about their past, then come to experience the forgiveness and grace of God, and begin walking in confidence that they are made righteous through Jesus’ work on the cross. We see people with no hope or sense of purpose for their future discover their identity and call from God, and become full of passion and excitement for what God is doing in the world, and anticipating their own role in God’s mission.

We see people come alive.

I never get tired of seeing the effects of the Gospel take place in people’s lives

This creates an amazing environment where students are celebrating the life-change in their new friends, and looking forward to God working in their own hearts as well. This creates a sort of momentum. Once that ball starts rolling you can’t stop it. I never get tired of seeing the effects of the Gospel take place in people’s lives. Some of those changes actually seem to take place overnight.

What’s really amazing is that passion and faith continue on as the students go into the second phase of DTS: Outreach. Those same students that just experienced the transformational power of the Gospel in their own lives, then go to other countries and tell people about the living God that loves the world so much that He would send Jesus so that they also can experience new life in Him. They get to tell people who have never even heard of Jesus before. Those people are often trapped in fear and shame through the world religions that promise relief but fail to deliver. But upon learning of their Savior Jesus, they become believers and also experience God’s goodness, faithfulness, and the transformational power of the Gospel in their own lives. DTS students who get to witness this are excited and empowered all the more to continue living a radical life for Jesus, experiencing His love, and continuing to share it even as they return home after DTS. The momentum continues!

Come Join Us!

The truth be told, there are many more reasons that DTS is so effective. But the final thing I would say is that I am humbled that God would choose to use us; YWAM. We are not that special. Definitely not better than local church. But God simply chooses to work through our programs and mission. I’ve seen it over and over again. I never get tired of it.

So, if you are looking for more, wanting to go deeper, feeling a pull to missions, or even feeling restless at home, come join us.


Thinking about getting involved in missions? Learn more about a YWAM Discipleship Training School!

A Discipleship Training School is a 5 1/2 month intensive missions and discipleship course. The journey begins in Lakeside, Montana where students get to learn and grow in the Lord followed by traveling to an outreach location to make God known in the nations.

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All photos courtesy of former YWAM Montana Lakeside DTS student Non Luckanachai

Choose Joy

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One of the things that I really appreciate about God is his joy, and that he gives it in all circumstances. I think the joy of a Christian can be a very attractive thing to the world. People are caught off guard when they see a person full of joy in the midst of a very hard season. “How can this person be so happy when they are going through such difficult times?” The answer is easy: God is good, all the time.

God is so much bigger than our current circumstances

In a world which is full of negativity, anger, and depression, seeing someone who is truly joyful is a breath of fresh air. It’s a powerful thing. Joy has the power to turn sorrow into laughter, although it doesn’t mean the hard times go away. Rather, it means that God is so much bigger than our current circumstances. This realization can express itself in joy. This powerful joy only comes from the Lord, and we all have access to it. Somedays joy comes easier than other days, but that doesn’t change the fact that God is still the source of this joy.

I don’t necessarily think of myself as a joyful person, but people often describe me that way. I’m usually taken aback by this because I know my life and the thoughts that are in my head. I do know that I really love to laugh, and have fun, but until recently I never really thought of it as joy.

Recently someone told me that they believe I am a person who chooses joy, even though I don’t have to. I have been thinking about this comment, and have concluded that it’s probably true, I do choose joy. That doesn’t mean that I never experience other more negative emotions (just ask my close friends and they will tell you that I can be a “Debbie downer” when life gets hard). I don’t think God wants us to be “Debbie downers”. I think he wants us to choose joy and experience his joy in both good and bad circumstances. We can all experience God’s joy and, most of the time we actually need to make an active choice to be joyful no matter what is going on around us.

Everyone should discover their own ways of choosing joy, but here are some of the practical ways that work for me.

1. Make a list:

I take pauses throughout my day to make a list (mentally or physically) of all of the things I am thankful to God for in my life. The top three usually don’t change, but the rest can vary in order. Here are my first three:

Jesus – He took my sin, allowing me to have an active relationship with God. Sin was the biggest problem in my life and God took care of it.
Family & Friends – God gave me some amazing people to live life with, which is pretty awesome.
God’s Provision – I am always amazed at the fact that I can pay for my rent, bills, and gas despite having a job that I volunteer for.

2. Taking a moment to enjoy the little things:

My “little things” change daily, but I always try my best to really enjoy them throughout the day. Here are a few of mine:
• The smell of Montana in the spring and summer. I can’t describe it, you just need to come experience it
• A fresh cup of coffee… mmmmmmm
• The smell right after a fresh rain
• Thunderstorms
• Kids laughing
• Humming birds: I love to stop and watch those things, they are pretty incredible
• Full moon rising
• Stars

3. Sit and think about the promises of God:

Take some quiet time or make a list to think about throughout the day, there are SO many promises that God makes to his people. Pick a book of the Bible, start reading, and sooner or later you’ll come across a promise from God. The cool thing about God’s promises is that he actually fulfills them. They are not empty and they aren’t just words. They’re promises from a loving God who wants to be in relationship with his creations: us. God is the only one to be trusted with making promises and keeping them. They come in his timing, but they will always come.

4. Laugh anytime you can:

The only thing I could do in that moment was laugh

Laugh at life, yourself, and with others (not at them). They say laughter is the best medicine; I don’t know who “they” are, but I tend to agree with “them” because, seriously… life is funny, humans are funny, we do weird things, say weird things, and we have really funny things happen to us. For example, my group of friends and I love to scare each other There is nothing better than the victory of jumping out from behind something or sneaking up on someone and scaring them. The best is the reaction of the person who got scared. I’ve witnessed many high pitched girly screams, and usually that’s from the guys. There was even a moment when I was the victim of being scared by one of my very good friends, not only did I scream bloody murder but I fell completely backward and landed flat on my butt. The only thing I could do in that moment was laugh, and laugh I did throughout the rest of the day every time I thought about it.

5. Dance:

Yes, dance: dance when your favorite song comes on, dance in the car, dance while you clean, dance while you cook or do the dishes, dance by yourself or with people, just DANCE! Dancing immediately makes me happy, it doesn’t matter if I am with people or by myself. Dancing, in my opinion, is an expression of freedom and joy. So, dance. Dance like you have never danced before. When you are having a bad day, blast some Michael Jackson, and dance. When you are having a good day, do the same. If you don’t like dancing, I don’t care, try it. If you love dancing, do it some more!

Choose Joy

Our joy is a gift and witness to the world

There are probably many more things that I could add to the list. Those ones are the top five things that I find myself doing on a regular basis. They don’t always happen in this order, but each one of them helps me be more joyful. We have so much to be joyful for, God has done too much for us to be miserable. God promises to meet us in those hard times and help us. Our joy is a gift and witness to the world: it shows people that God is bigger than a hard circumstance, and that our God is a God who meets His people and gives them joy. Joy is attractive, contagious, and refreshing. Choose joy. God gives his joy freely for us to experience.