I’ve been re-reading a book that my husband Richard and I read when we planted the church ReaLity in Greenville, South Carolina. No Compromise is the life story of Keith Green written by his wife, Melody Green. It tells the story of how Keith and Melody came to believe in Jesus and then follow Him.

Something about their story and Keith’s music resonated within us as we were ministering to young people in Greenville. Not only were Richard and I drawn to Keith Green’s life and song, but the people in our church were as well. His songs were raw, deeply moving, and full of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. Keith’s story changed us. We were challenged to live fully surrendered and love sacrificially.

Get a FREE copy of Is That Really You God?

Ever wonder if the thought forming in your brain was from God?

I know I have many times. 15 years ago, I did my DTS and read the inspirational book by the founder of YWAM, Is That Really You God?

His stories left me wide-eyed and wonder-filled. I honestly couldn't put it down. He addressed the very questions I had about hearing from God. 

Unearth ~ To find something buried by digging

This past weekend, a lot of digging took place at YWAM Tyler during the Inspire Worship & Missions Conference. We were challenged to pick up our shovels and excavate because something within us all needed to be unearthed.

"My family and I are very happy to be part of this place. This place is very special; it brings life and freedom. The influence in the classroom transformed my daughter's life, turning the dark colors she had in her emotions into a rainbow again bringing life, joy, and security.  She had lost all of this, and she found it all again here."  ~ A grateful mother of one of Heather's students from Brazil.

Stepping from fear to faith is never easy. Students and staff members at YWAM Tyler have had to do this often as they've followed Jesus to the ends of the earth. Honestly, every step involves a tremendous amount of trust, but God is worthy of our trust! He is faithful!

"Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God."  (Hebrews 3:12)

During one of my YWAM training schools, I learned a new word, Renounce, which changed my life and the way I daily practice dependance on God.

When Jesus looked at His followers and told them to "Go into all the world and make disciples," He wasn't joking. Getting the word out about His love and grace would involve men and women traversing the globe, and for centuries that's not changed. The call to "Go" remains the same! Youth With a Mission has been dedicated for nearly six decades to train men and women, young and old, to know God and make Him known in every nation. These are my top five reasons why EVERYONE should do a Discipleship Training School (DTS)!

The Chapel at YWAM Tyler started as a 12' by 15' well house which was converted to a small place to pray. Years later, volunteers came and built a space for many to gather. Whether it's in groups coming together for focused prayer or a single person kneeling at the cross, countless of people have encountered the Lord in this space. Here are a few stories of such moments...

"Oh Lord, please don't ever ask me to go to Africa," I uttered quietly as the missionary spoke from the pulpit about his own experiences in that faraway land. As a young girl, fear gripped my heart when I heard his missions' stories about creepy crawlers and deadly pestilence. I didn't hear emphasis on how God had miraculously cared for him. The snakes, spiders, and malaria were the only things haunting my mind. From that moment on, I vowed never to leave America.

“Lord, you know all my desires and deepest longings. My tears are liquid words and you can read them all.” (Ps. 35:9 TPT)

With my knees plastered to the ground and my forehead grazing the floor, tears soaked the tattered carpet beneath me. Words weren’t needed. My tears said it all. Why was life so hard? Would things ever change? Overwhelmed, I honestly just wanted to give up.

Then my friends started to pray.

Go ahead, call me biased, but I believe YWAM Tyler has some of the best teachers out there. Not only do they impart Truth, but they also unleash Love. C.S. Lewis once said, "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." Our teachers value each student and believe in the more that God has for them. They're willing to plow the weathered soil of hearts to help people discover real and lasting freedom. Their love for Jesus is infectious, and I'm thankful for the investment each one has made here. During #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we're recognizing a few of the many awesome teachers God has brought our way. 

YWAM Tyler is a ministry where all ages encounter God. When we came to do a training school and join staff, I was homeschooling my daughter and had no intention to do differently, but then I started feeling a stirring within my heart to pay attention to Christian Heritage School, a ministry of YWAM Tyler for Kindergarten to 12th grade students from around the world. After asking many questions to those around me about this school, I quickly discovered not only is this place influencing minds, but they're shaping hearts with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Surely God is in this place!