Is there life after a YWAM Discipleship Training School? Yes! YWAM DTS graduate Deborah S. is now a veteran Mission Builder, putting her missions training into action in whole new ways. She has already volunteered at YWAM campuses in four states—Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and California—with more in the queue.
“It’s a blessing to hold up the arms of people in ministry and be mutually encouraged by those we serve,” Deborah says. “Volunteers are needed all over, and I never would have imagined that I’d have so many opportunities to minister while doing ‘logistical work’ for YWAM campuses!
“I am especially attracted to campuses with schools,” she says, “because my DTS was life-changing, and I wanted to contribute to the learning experiences of the students.
“My biggest blessing was ministering to staff, students, and strangers at each location. God has given me a lot of spiritual gifts with which I was able to bless other people. I witnessed to a Buddhist while I was cleaning a bathroom in Colorado Springs. I encouraged an artist to start painting images for God. I prayed with staff persons for direction, future spouses, illnesses, and financial provision (one received $600 that very day!). I helped DTS students identify their spiritual gifts and led them to emotional healing. And I prayed with folks at churches I visited for their various needs.
Teaching writing to homeschool students at YWAM Cimarron, CO.
“With so many young people in YWAM, the age and experience of older adults is a blessing. However, I have met Mission Builder volunteers fresh out of high school as well. If you have done a DTS and want to explore options to come on staff somewhere, MBI lets you check out various locations to see if they would be a good fit. If you’ve never done a DTS but are interested in missions, mission building may help you find a good location with a program that fits your needs.
“Serving in MBI makes you part of God’s plan to build His kingdom,” Deborah concludes. “It lets you travel, meet new people, and invest in lives and ministries in a way that just may change an entire city, nation, or generation.
“What are you waiting for? If God’s calling you to step out, then do it! You’ll be stretched beyond your perceived limitations, but the rewards are well worth the time, sweat, tears, travel, prayers, and whatever else the Lord requires of you.”
Deborah’s advice for those interested in volunteering:
- Be willing to do whatever is asked of you.
- Be flexible and don’t be afraid to serve outside your comfort zone!
- Do your work “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24). That makes it not only an act of love and service to the YWAMers and students, but an act of worship to God.
- Give yourself time to connect with the people.
- Go with a servant heart rather than expecting special treatment or recognition.
- Get involved as much as you can with what’s happening on campus.
- Allow yourself some alone time. There’s always something to do, but you need to recharge.
- It’s helpful to have your own vehicle so you can enjoy sight-seeing.
- Travel light! Most of us don’t need as much as we think we do.
- Build a support base before you go so that you are receiving the financial and prayer support needed to sustain your work.
Whether you’d like to serve individually, with your family, or as a group, MBI can help match you to short term volunteer opportunities to serve the Great Commission close to home or internationally.
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