A YWAM DTS Brings Life Transformation
This picture was taken on the first day of my DTS five months ago. This was the day my life truly began.
This was the day I met my best friends. I would soon be so close to them that you couldn't pull us apart. This was the day I started my walk with Jesus.
Those of you who went to church with me in high school, yes, I knew the Lord. I loved Him, but I didn't follow His word. I didn't listen to Him. I didn't believe in His miracles.
This was the day I'd have my picture taken, with no idea I'd be able to look back and see how much I changed.
You see, I was smiling in that picture, but I was terrified. I was depressed and anxious. I felt so uncomfortable. People were accepting me for who I was when I didn't even know them. They didn't know me or my story. They didn't know how I had messed up, but they welcomed me anyway.
The next day, I would wake up at 6 am and have my first quiet time at YWAM Tyler. I would go to my first class and hear from my school leader. I would learn to pray before everything, which I thought was weird at first. I would rise. I would be strong. I would cry.
I would begin opening up and trusting people for the first time in years. I would feel okay. I would feel safe. I would go to the prayer chapel, sit in front of the map and wonder where the Lord would lead me. I would fall more and more in love with Jesus and His story and His ministry.
I would begin working to finish the Great Commission. I would laugh so hard. I would have fellowship. I would have time with Carly Snyder, who was a major part of my spiritual support in DTS, and wonder if she judged me because of my story. She didn't because she's amazing.
I would walk into the wonder of who Jesus is. I would get lost in His mystery. I started gaining authority. I started healing. I started feeling the cracks in my heart mend.
Prayers and words of encouragement were spoken over me. I would overcome my sadness.
One day in class, the teacher said, "God doesn't want to keep us from having fun." Those simple words changed the course of my life. I lived a sullen, sad life, never finding joy that lasted. I understood that God wanted me to have fun and have a good life. He wants me to be happy!
I would see victory. I would see men and women fall on their faces in the presence of the Lord worshipping Him. I started leading worship for those around me. I prayed over others. I saw Jesus keep His promises. I graduated tonight. But this isn't the end.
~ Emma Goodall, DTS Graduate
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