School of Biblical Studies

A SECOND LEVEL SCHOOL AT YWAM MONTANA

Course Description.

The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is a 9-month course which allows you to study all 66 books of the Bible. You will learn the inductive approach to study and will be given hands-on instruction in the principles of observation, interpretation and application. SBS is not simply a school of head knowledge but also of practical application.

SBS burns with a passion for God’s Word and the belief that all people should be equipped to study the Bible. Grow in a close knit community of students, discover a method for lifelong Bible study and be transformed by the Word of God!

It’s what we do as a movement — we train in order to advance. Because we believe we are called to GO! Join us for the next School of Biblical Studies at YWAM Montana-Lakeside.

Phase one.

This phase begins with a three-week seminar in which students learn the basics of the inductive method, which will be the method of Bible study that will be used throughout the school. We begin in the New Testament, studying three of the four Gospels, Acts, the Pauline Epistles, Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter.

Phase Two.

In the second phase, students complete the New Testament books. There is then a week-long seminar introducing Old Testament background, genres, and artistry of the literature. Students study through Genesis through Samuels and some of the Wisdom books.

Phase Three.

The third phase completes the study of the Old Testament, including the Prophets. A seminar precedes the Prophets, giving students the skills necessary to understand the message of these books. After completion of the Old Testament, we end our study in the Gospel of Matthew, seeing the whole of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Meet Your School Staff.

Zak & Rut Clayton

SBS School Leaders
Zak started his journey in YWAM with the Snowboarders DTS in Denver, CO in the Winter of 2015. After working some with YWAM Yosemite, he came to do his SBS Fall of 2015 where he fell in love with the Bible and seeing the transforming power of Jesus in peoples lives. Since then, he has stayed with YWAM Montana working with SBS where he met his now wife, Rut. They have a heart for the Bible, people, and global missions, and have committed their lives to see the Gospel advance in the nations, especially South East Asia. Rut first came to YWAM Montana during the Fall of 2013 to do her DTS, she then came back to do her SBS the following year, and that's where she felt the Lord calling her to equip the church with the knowledge of his Word and a love for the nations receiving the Gospel of Jesus. So Rut and her husband Zak have now been staffing SBS for the past five years, and are committed to continuing to lead staff and students to know God through his Word and make Him known in the nations.
Jeremy Brantley

Session Leader
I wear a lot of hats: Bible teacher, youth pastor, metal vocalist, and semi-professional game show contestant. I also literally do wear a lot of hats. Born in Germany, raised in Colorado, I love sharing people’s cultures (especially their food), hearing their stories, and most of all I love to see lives transformed by God’s Word. The world is starving for God’s truth. Let’s feed them!
Danielle Peters

Session Leader
I was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. At the age of five, my family moved to Jamaica as missionaries. Missionary kid, Represent! When I was 11, we moved back to the states to Montana to continue with YWAM. I graduated valedictorian of my senior class in high school but decided that college wasn’t for me. So I traveled to Oxford, New Zealand, and did the Around the World in 80 Days DTS in 2015. I went to North Island NZ, Thailand, Japan, and China for outreach. I graduated DTS on the Mount of Olives in Israel. Yes, the Promised Land! Three short weeks in-between, and I was starting SBS in Montana for the 15/16 school. While in SBS, God called me to staff; and here I am five years later.
Johannes Palmdal

Session Leader
Hello there! I’m Johannes, a 29-year-old from the great nordic country of Sweden (more specifically from across the street of Benjamin). I did my DTS in 2014 in Tijuana with YWAM San Diego/Baja and joined staff with them in 2016. Before going full-time into YWAM I did a bunch of random things, including getting an IT-degree and working as a prison guard! I worked with DTS for 3 years in Mexico, which is where I met my wife, Olivia. Last year we decided to do our SBS, and during the school, we felt like God asked us to come on staff here.
Olivia Palmdal

Session Leader
Hey guys, I’m Olivia Palmdal! I was born and raised in Southern California. I did my photo-storytelling DTS in 2016 in Tijuana Mexico with the YWAM SDB base. After that, I staffed that same DTS for two years. I then was a student in the community development school (CDS) in 2018 also at that same base where I met my now-husband, who was indeed my DTS staff in 2016. We felt led to do the SBS here at YWAM Montana and we did it! We graduated from SBS in June 2020. So, this will be our first year on staff with SBS and I am so excited to get to know you all!
Vera Ulrich
I am Vera, from Switzerland, but I have been living in Lakeside since fall 2015 when I did my SBS, and call it my home. In Spring 2011 I did my DTS here in Lakeside, went to the Dominican Republic on outreach, and once back, I traveled home and finished my studies to become an elementary teacher. I taught for two years in public school in Switzerland (5th and 6th grade) and after my SBS in 2015/16, followed by Titus with outreach in Cambodia (my first time in Asia!) and studies in New Testament Greek, I joined SBS Staff in 2017. Even though it is hard to have two homes, Switzerland and Montana, it is mainly a privilege as I get to know so many amazing people and see God at work in their lives.
Sierra Steenhoven
I’m Sierra! I’m originally from MN but love living in the mountains of Montana! I did Summer of Dance here in Lakeside in 2014 and loved Montana so much I came back for my DTS in 2015! I went on outreach to Nepal and you should definitely ask me about it sometime. I immediately wanted to come and do my SBS but ended up taking a year at home. I finally did my SBS in 2017/18! I spent another year at home in MN until God said to go and sure enough, quickly and clearly, the Lord called me to staff SBS! This is my second year and I’m so excited to be with you all! I want to get to know you this year!
Spencer Peacock
Born on the frigid flats of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I grew up a firm Christian with a legalistic streak, but always found the Bible kind of hard to pierce into. After graduating from high school, I bounced around a few computer courses in post-secondary schools before taking a DTS in Vladivostok, Russia to try to get my head on straight. The DTS blew my mind. After about five of the speakers, independent of each other, told me to take an SBS in Montana, I caved and signed up. This turned out to be a great idea. After taking my SBS in 2015/16 and slowly chugging my way through other courses to get my associate’s with the University of the Nations, I finally signed on as staff, and here I am now. I hope to move back to East Europe in the future to work as a Bible teacher in some capacity. I’m really excited to help you guys through this school, it was probably the most important year of my life!
Ben Pilkvist
I’m Benjamin! I’m originally from Sweden across the street from Johannes, but since I did my DTS in oxford New Zealand in 2014 I have been living in Switzerland for two years where I staffed a snowboarder’s DTS in Davos, this is also where I meet my wife. After Switzerland, we moved to the flatlands of northern Minnesota, Yes the flattest place on earth! I did my SBS here 2019-20 and felt like God was calling me back to come here and continue to invest my time by teaching and discipling through the bible.
Courtney Pilkvist
I was born and raised in northern Minnesota where my family owns a small farm. I’m the third oldest of 7 and loved growing up in a big family! Life was never boring, that’s for sure. When I was in 7th grade, I decided that I wanted to serve God with my life and got involved in serving at a local Bible camp and worked there for a few years. After highschool, I wanted to pursue a degree in Youth Ministry, but God had other plans. I ended up doing my DTS in Switzerland in 2015 with every intention of going back to college… but that didn’t happen. I staffed at that base for two years and got married during those years. In 2017, my husband and I moved back to Minnesota, taking some time off from YWAM and seeking the Lord for what he had next. He eventually brought us here to do SBS just last year and that experience completely transformed my heart.
Josiah Slabach
Hey everyone, I’m Josiah! I was born in Ohio but grew up all my life in Lancaster, PA. I have 1 brother and two sisters, one who is adopted from China. I heard about DTS for all my life (since I’m from Lancaster), and despite my efforts to resist it, God called me to do a DTS here in Montana in the Fall of 2018, right after I graduated high school. On outreach I went to Taiwan and Cambodia, and ever since Cambodia especially has a special place in my heart. The following year I decided not to go to university but instead do the SBS here in Montana, and it strengthened my love for the Word. This will be my first year staffing and I’m excited to teach and learn simultaneously!
Michaela Slabach
Hey y’all! I was born and raised in Lancaster County PA. I graduated high school in 2018 and did my DTS the following fall here In lakeside MT. After I finished DTS I realized I knew hardly anything about the Bible so I decided to do an SBS here as well! I finished my SBS this past June 2020, and the Lord called me back here to Staff! I have a huge heart for Cambodia and seeing the word transform this nation!
Daniel Diermann
I was born in Belize City, Belize and moved to Chile 5 weeks later, over the next few years until I was 12 I lived in Guatemala, Switzerland and Venezuela as a child in YWAM. I spent most of my teenage and early adult life in Switzerland and am a dual citizen with Belize and Switzerland but consider myself more Swiss than Belizean. I did my DTS in the fall of 2016 here in Lakeside and went to Taiwan on outreach. Did My SBS in the fall of 2017 here in Lakeside aswell and staffed DTS for 2 years after that. I’m married and have a baby girl that I’m sure you will meet at some point.
Laura Brantley
I was born in Germany, but raised in the great state of Colorado! I come from a family of six where I have two older brothers and a younger sister. I actually came to my brother’s SBS graduation, looked around, and didn’t think I could ever see myself being a part of YWAM. A year later, I started my journey as a YWAM junkie by doing my DTS here at YWAM Montana where God gave me a hunger to know the Word which led me to do SBS and three other programs!
Connor Neumann Sleeper
After growing up in Shawano, WI, I went to the University of Minnesota to major in statistics and step into a great job in a suit and tie and make lots of money because that is the one definition of success (or so I thought). After my sophomore year, I did Summer of Sports here in Lakeside, MT in 2016 with the logic being, “A DTS would mean taking a semester off from college, and that would be ridiculous.” So naturally, I had my whole life changed by the Gospel and God called me to do a Basketball DTS in Pittsburgh, PA that fall. Afterward, I spent a summer watering the grass here at the base (really a losing battle from the start given Montana’s dry summer heat), and it was one of the most important “Yes” I ever said to God. Ask me about that story sometime. Following that summer, God led me to SBS in 2017-2018, along with Titus, Word By Heart, and two of the theological seminars offered here on base. This is my first year staffing SBS and my passion long-term is to step into pastoral ministry and serve the Church, championed and unified across generations and diverse backgrounds.
Abby Rowland
Dallas, Texas

DTS Staff
Hey there! My full name is Abigail, but you can just call me Abby! I did my DTS here in Montana and then decided to do my SBS the following year. During my DTS and SBS God placed a burning and growing desire on my heart to see others discipled in biblical truth, know their identity in Christ, and boldly walk forward in the callings that He has placed on their lives. I'm passionate about seeing the Gospel reach the ends of the earth and seeing others come to know Jesus on a personal level! A few things that bring me joy in life are art, the outdoors, ice cream, family, and friends! But, few things bring me greater joy than helping others find freedom in Christ. And It is such a privilege to be a part of this and see transformation every day through DTS!
Paul Dunleavy
New Jersey

SBS Staff
I’ve been a student with YWAM Montana for the past three years. Things didn’t start out that way though. I was in college for Music Education and was very much living in the world. During my junior year Jesus got a hold of me (long story short) and I dropped out to come to Montana, did my DTS in the Fall of 2018, TESOL, SBS, Titus, all four Biblical Seminars (get rekt Connor, love you) and now I’m staffing SBS! Super excited to live and breathe the Word with you all!
Kelsey Jones
Spokane, Washington

SBS Staff
Hello friends! I am a 24-year-old from Spokane, WA who really really loves Jesus, people, and nature. I went to college to be a missionary doctor and after two years realized I was called to missions but not necessarily as a doctor. I did a Medical DTS in Perth, Australia and immediately afterward helped pioneer a YWAM base in Paris where I staffed two Backpacking Europe DTS’s. Then I did SBS in South Africa and finished online (covid) before doing the Titus Project online with the Sunny Coast base and then in person here in Lakeside. I’ve been living and working in Kalispell for the past six months and am so stoked to be back with YWAM and SBS!!! If you can’t find me it’s because I’m on a run or hiking a mountain somewhere without cell service haha! I love all things adventure, outdoors, sports.
Isaac Thill
Wisconsin

SBS Staff
Wassup y’all, I’m from Wisconsin, and I love cheese! I was going to be a doctor when I first went to university but God called me out of it and eventually into YWAM. I did my first DTS in Kona, Hawaii as part of Fire and Fragrance, and then did my second DTS in Huntington Beach, California - I passed both schools haha! Wanted to do an SBS for a while and finally did one, and felt called to stay!
Ryan Horwath
Denver, Colorado

SBS Staff
Hi. My name is Ryan Clifton Horwath, thank you very much. I was born in Chicago but got to Colorado as soon as I could. I did my DTS in New Zealand (Lord of the Rings fan, rejoice!), and felt called to follow up with an SBS, but needed to finish my undergrad. After a long process of figuring out how to graduate college, and finishing with a degree in music, I came to Montana to do an SBS. I loved it so much, I staffed it for several years, went off to seminary to get trained up more, and then returned back. I came back because I believe in the SBS program and how it teaches people the content of the Bible. I want to see them take that content out, whether it’s back home or across the world.

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Discover the heart of sbs.

As followers of Jesus, we believe in the importance of knowing and understanding the Word of God on a deeper level, and that every individual should have that opportunity to learn how to study, discover, and apply the truths of God’s Word to their own lives.

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