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!

Imagine gathering around an empty table with a slew of orphans to thank the Lord for food that wasn't there. Hard to even believe, honestly; yet, it's true. George Mueller trusted God to the point he was willing to sit at a barren table and offer thanks to God for the food that He was going to supply. God had promised to provide all Mueller needed in caring for those children, so in that moment of need, Mueller banked on God's promise, and sure enough God did it! The doorbell rang, and fresh bread was placed before them all to enjoy for breakfast.

Something amazing happens when people assemble to exalt the name of Jesus. God moves and transforms lives. Over the past five years, many have gathered at YWAM Tyler for the Inspire Worship & Missions Conference. It's encouraging to hear how this event has made an impact on people.

In celebration of World Poetry Day, this poem just might be the needed inspiration to know that God speaks. Psalm 32:8 declares, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Twelve years ago I did my DTS and learned more about hearing from God. I read this inspirational book, Is That Really You, God by the founder of YWAM, Loren Cunningham, and the stories left me wide-eyed and wonder-filled. Learning to hear God's voice is a key part of all YWAM Discipleship Training Schools. I'm thankful I devoted five months of my life for this unique training. If you're wrestling with what it means to hear God's voice then do a DTS. You'll get to read this book and discover truths about Jesus that'll change your life.

Ever questioned if you really believed all this God stuff? Ever wondered if God really hears your prayers? Ever hungered to know Jesus more? Ever needed convincing that what you were thinking was right? If so, than YOU'RE NOT ALONE!

Enter into these stories with me and see how God met my friends here at YWAM Tyler and answered the cries of their heart.

I've always heard sheep are dumb, but I disagree. I think they're really quite smart and have something to teach us all!

As I sat at my desk engrossed in the art of storytelling, I knew I was in desperate need for a brain break. So, I shifted my eyes to the window where beauty captured my attention and held me hostage.

As I stared at my television screen, watching unbelievable chaos before my eyes, I grappled with understanding why such darkness had invaded our school grounds. When I was a teenager, the thought of a mass shooting occurring during chemistry class never crossed my mind. I was worried about passing the periodic table exam not dodging bullets. We had tornado drills not lock-down procedures. How did we get to this place in America?

At the beginning of 2018, a new adventure will begin for many. People from around the world will gather together to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS). Each student arriving will have different goals. Some simply want to know God more because they’re hungry for a deeper walk with Jesus. Others will come with a desire for fresh perspective. They want to experience God in a new way and within a different culture, seeing the beauty of His creation in this world. Then there will be those that need change. Life has beat them up; choices haven’t always been the best; wounds have left them internally bruised. They’re longing for more. No matter the reason, DTS is a great opportunity for fulfilling one’s heart desires. 

"Everybody's got a story. and it's not the one they're telling." Donald Miller

Donald Miller's writings always provoke me to think deeply. Through vulnerably sharing his own personal stories, Donald essentially holds up a mirror and invites all to look inward. God's creation is quite marvelous, but too often we don't marvel at the reflection we see. Instead, we criticize and scrutinize. This type of self-barragement is unhealthy.

Ever wonder if the thought forming in your brain was from the Lord? I know I have many times. Eleven years ago, I did my DTS and read this inspirational book by the founder of YWAM. He addressed the very quesions I had about hearing from God through stories that left me wide-eyed and wonder-filled. I honestly couldn't put it down. I hope the poetic synopsis below, which I wrote during my DTS, will wet your appetite to want to read it for yourself! 

“Nah, I don’t need to do that!” I emphatically told God one day after being asked by our ministry leaders to do a YWAM DTS. At the age of 34, my husband and I had already been serving the Lord in full-time ministry for years. We had worked as youth pastors in Kansas, while attending school. Then we planted a church in South Carolina. Missions was nothing new for us because we had led numerous teams around the world. Why would we need to do a Discipleship Training School?