The tribe that I am part of
What is YWAM?
Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM, our calling is to know God and to make Him known. Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth into short-term mission work and to give them opportunities to reach out in Jesus' name. Today, we still focus on youth, and we also involve people of almost every age (even many people who choose to spend their "retirement" in active service). Our many ministries fit into three main categories: evangelism, training and mercy ministry. We are currently operating in more than 1300 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of nearly 16,000. Despite our size and diversity, we all adhere to the same set of foundational values. You can read them here.
Check out the international website here ywam.org
What is YWAM Kona?
The YWAM Kona campus is one of the largest YWAM bases in the world. We have a staff of around 300 and an average quarter has between 250-400 students in our schools. We run 15 DTS courses a year, and around 25 second level schools. We have a huge diversity of nations represented in our staff and students. We send 100's of students around the world on outreach each year to work with projects as broad as inner city homelessness to tribal land rights, from orphans rights to teaching the Bible, from running rural medical clinics to anti-traffiking rallies.
No matter what your passion is, there is a community of people here who will share your heart and vision, or give you space to develop something new. This base is a place of training, getting vision, being inspired and being mobilized.
We live and learn together in community living. We seek God together, whether it is in the prayer room, community worship, in work duties, in the dorm or hanging out on the beach. We are a community of people across the generations who want to see God inhabit what we do and from that intimacy go out and change the world.
Check out the web site for how you can find your place here uofnkona.edu
What is DTS?
DTS is short for Discipleship Training School. It is a 5 or 6 month foundational course that will change your life.
DTS is more than YWAM’s entry-level course; it is a wild pursuit of God and His heart for the nations! As a student, you will be joined by individuals from around the globe and various walks of life. Together, you will be immersed into a community dedicated to effectively reaching the world with the Gospel.
The adventure begins with a three-month Lecture Phase in which you will discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Renowned speakers and devoted staff will encourage and challenge you to experience the abundant life God has to offer. His call is all encompassing, involving every aspect of your life, and He is passionate about you! You will quickly find your heart begin to beat to the rhythm of His. Loving Jesus, yourself, and others will soon become second nature as we send you to the nations.
Outreach Phase is an intense two-month (or longer) opportunity for you to apply what you’ve learned. No location or people is off limits. You will be part of a team that will seek to advance the Kingdom of God through fighting injustices and through proclaiming Christ’s love. You will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, mend the brokenhearted, free the captive, and heal the sick. This is the time for all the lecture phase learning to get put in to practice, taking the teaching and using it to minister in the most extreme and exciting environments.
I will be leading this DTS in January 2012
In 2011 I was working with a DTS called DTS 360. It was a great time of seeing God transform lives - of the students, staff and people God sent us to serve. You can watch a short video report from our team that went to Mexico & the Dominican Republic here. Read a mid-lecture phase report I wrote back in February here and meet the staff team I was able to work with here.
Click here for more information on doing a Kona DTS
Elements of Kona
Kona has many great ministries covering a broad diversity of passions. Here are two I am particularly passionate about and personally connected to.
Fire & Fragrance PhotogenX
Fire & Fragrance:
A movement committed to greater intimacy with God and delighting in His presence. Link
PhotogenX:
Using photography to expose and educate on issues of injustice around the globe. Link