WORKING WITH YWAM

Since our big transition back into YWAM we’ve fielded some great questions from friends and family. I’ve included in this post a top 5 with answers to help you understand our work with YWAM. This article was updated on July 29, 2022

Question: I think I’ve heard of Youth With A Mission, but what is it?

YWAM is one of the largest missionary sending groups in the world, and the facets of it’s ministry are vast. YWAM has 1,100 locations around the world with and estimated 20,000 staff. Just at YWAM Tyler Texas, there are over 200 staff supporting and working with 221 ministries in 105 countries!

Youth With A Mission has an amazing presence among the nations, evangelizing, teaching, and training both young and old to know God and make Him known, even in some of the most unreached areas.

Hardly a month goes by where we are not asked by our leadership to be praying specifically for our missionary friends who have been, arrested or persecuted for serving others in the name of Jesus. These stories happen, because YWAM’ers are passionate about reaching every tribe, tongue and people with the Gospel of Jesus regardless of the risk.

Question: Why are we serving as volunteers specifically at YWAM Tyler? Why Texas?

Back in 2015, we understood clearly from the Lord we needed to do something different in our lives and were ready to take a risk. Amy and I have a passion to lead, preach, teach and disciple others who desire to know God and find purpose in their life. After looking at stories of others who pioneered new ministries with YWAM, a common denominator was the leaders all studied and served at YWAM Tyler. It’s no wonder to us why God led us here to get trained to accomplish our dreams.

YWAM Tyler is one of the largest and oldest campuses. They have clear protocol to help people develop their purpose and vision for ministry around the world. Here’s how it works. First, a DTS (Discipleship Training School) must be completed and then a secondary school called SOE (School of Evangelism) is required. Once these are completed, a one year staff internship period begins. The internship allows students to experience working with the mission organization as a staff member while developing vision and strategy for future mission endeavors.

We have successfully completed this process and are currently considered full-time staff, continuing to serve in the areas God’s placed us for now.

Question: What does a typical day look like?

Our typical day starts with Amy heading off to CHS (Christian Heritage School) which is on one of YWAM Tyler’s 3 campus locations, where Audrey attended high school.

Amy currently serves as the Vice Principal of the high school. She teaches 2 literature classes and writing fundamentals. When she’s not in class, she’s usually in a meeting or making some awesome plans for the school.

Richard works 30 minutes away on the Twin Oaks Campus under the Advancement department. He oversees the Student Communications office, Media and Marketing, and Campus Communications. Sometimes he may refer to himself as a digital missionary.

Richard also teaches in the Discipleship Training Schools throughout the year. His main topic is Lordship / Surrender. Amy usually joins in for a day session during the training week.

At the end of the day we have given a 100% to helping this ministry be successful. In the process of our work, we are being very observant to learn how a YWAM campus functions.

Question: If working with YWAM is volunteer, how do you live? 

Every missionary of the 20,000 that work with YWAM are volunteers. Our campus is run by donations and tuition from students, but all the staff and leaders from the top down, trust the Lord for support in their work.

I love answering this question because it reminds me of some great stories of trust. The Lord has been faithful to join our lives with others over the years who support us by partnering with us in ministry. We love our partners because they too are involved in advancing God’s kingdom through ongoing encouragement to our family.

Nothing we do happens apart from how God has joined us to our partners. Every person we disciple, inspire, serve, or care for is a direct result of those who help us. I tell people we live by faith really. Faith in the God who called us here, will equip us to serve here.

We desire to enlarge our impact in advancing God’s kingdom and with that dream comes resourcing. If you want to partner with us, please let us know. We’d love to have you on our team, praying, supporting, and helping us teach and train the next generation to Know God and Make Him Known. 

For more Q/A on this topic check out this blog: So What Are You Waiting For?

Question: How long will you guys be there? Are you planning on staying in Texas?

We don’t know how long we will be here. Over our lifetime we’ve lived all over the place, even six years in Thailand! God’s called us here and we will stay until he says go.

YWAM Tyler has a great staff who encourages pioneering ministry and taking risks. For a season, this is the right place. For how long? Well, only God can really answer that question.

Okay, well those are my 5 big questions to answer for now. If you have more questions for us to answer, leave a comment and we’ll contact you. Join us as partners by visiting our partner page on this blog and let us know how you’d like to join us.