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3 min read

Trusting God To Make A Way

By Tyler Tom on 8 Sep 2023

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is tell you to seek Jesus for yourself. In reality, as Christians, we should all be trying our best to seek Him first. Kaleigh Seliskar helped disciple students while serving SSTs this summer. Listen as she shares an encouraging testimony of how God increased her faith through a student. 
 
Over this summer, I had the honor of working with YWAM Tyler’s teen summer camp called SST.  During this time, I had many roles. One of them included guiding and encouraging three teenagers to prepare a teaching. They would have the opportunity to share their teaching at a Vacation Bible School (VBS) they would help with during their outreach in Houston.
 
One of the students, "Josh", was preparing a teaching on Moses and the Red Sea. He came to me on the last day of preparation and said to me “Kaleigh, I want to give an altar call at the end of my teaching but I don’t know how to do that. Can you help me?” I asked him to pray about it and then come to me later and we could talk about how to do it.  He never come back, so I assumed that he either decided to skip it all together, or that he went to another leader and talked about it. 
 
The next week we were in Houston and Josh gave his teaching on the final day of VBS. The kids in the group were engaged the whole time, and consumed by what Josh had to say.  Towards the end of his teaching, he began looking around the stage like he was missing something. At this point, I was pretty confused because his teaching appeared to be going as planned and he hadn’t missed anything. Suddenly, he stopped looking around the stage and seemed very excited and he did something that the other leaders and I had not expected. He asked the kids in the VBS if they wanted to accept Jesus, and if they did to raise their hand. Twelve of the nineteen kids responded immediately.
 
 
 
Josh ran to the side of the stage and pulled two cases of water to the center of the stage, got back on the mic and said, “If you just raised your hand, come onto the stage and walk between these cases of water like the Israelites did through the Red Sea to show everyone that you are going to follow Jesus.”  All twelve of those kids got up and ran to the stage to declare their dedication to follow Jesus.
 
 As a staff member for these SST students, I was so impressed with Josh's creativity and on-the-spot thinking. This is just one of the few ways that the teenagers in the SST were able to impact the people of Houston.  Not only did they touch the people of Houston but I was also personally affected by them. At times I felt that I was too young or just didn't have enough experience to share my faith. The SST students blew those thoughts away. Their fearlessness and resilience showed me that age has nothing to do with my ability to talk about Jesus.
 

Did it ever occur to you that when you were all grown up the next generation would look up to you? It doesn't matter what you think you are capable of, God can and will use those with willing hearts to fulfill His plans. If you open yourself up and follow wherever the Lord may lead, He will amaze you every time. Seek Him first and He will always be there to help you.

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Topics: Trust Knowing God Making Him Known Discipleship Opportunities Freedom Faith Teenagers SST Leadership Youth With A Mission ministry youth Red Sea
2 min read

All or Nothing

By Hope Bear on 18 Aug 2023

Do you remember the day Jesus became real to you?

When I hear the lyrics to "When You Walk Into The Room" play anywhere, my mind immediately goes back to Camp Jackson's sanctuary. This church camp holds a great deal of significance in my life with Jesus.

When my mind wanders back in time, I reflect on the sweet moment I had there where God met me in my lowest place and called me worthy. Even now, my words can't express how His nearness made me feel. From that day forward, I knew without a doubt that God was real!

Topics: Trust Pray Belief Choice YWAM DTS Encounter God Peace Deeper with God surrender relationship lordship
2 min read

Being Comfortable with Silence

By Randi Wright on 7 Jul 2023

Mae sat next to me on the passenger side of the car. The silence was thick in the air between us as we drove home. As part of the staff at Fatherheart Maternity Home, taking expectant moms to doctor appointments was normal.
 
She had just arrived at Fatherheart a week earlier, and we hadn’t had time to get to know each other yet. I began the drive that afternoon by asking her questions, none too personal, to try and get to know her a little bit. But it was clear by the roll of her eyes and her short, quick answers that she was not in the least bit interested in conversation.
Topics: Trust Serving Prayer ywam tyler staff trauma living alternatives teen pregnancy crisis pregnancy listening father heart silence
2 min read

Making Friends Doesn't Have to be Complicated

By Tyler Tom on 28 Apr 2023

You know the feeling you get watching a film depicting a real friendship, and your mind spins, heart aches, and goosebumps pop up? Don’t we all, deep inside, long for a real friend? Pause. Can you think of one right now?
 
You were made by God to be in relationship with Him and others. Introverts and extroverts alike, crave meaningful friendships.
Topics: YWAM Tyler Trust Love YWAM Loneliness friends friendship making friends
5 min read

A Year for God

By Elsa Hlady on 2 Feb 2023

Someone somewhere said, "You can do anything for a year!" If God asked you to give a year of your life for discipleship and missions, what would your answer be? Elsa, a graduate from Discipleship Training School said, "It starts with a sparkle, a thought, a desire for more. Dreaming of adventure, seeking an uncertain purpose. A will to serve, a thirst for deeper understanding."

Topics: God's voice YWAM Tyler Dreams Trust Direction Gap Year YWAM DTS Adventure Community YWAM Confidence Crossroads Deeper with God gap semester surrender mission adventures
4 min read

Fundraising Doesn't Have To Suck

By Tyler Tom on 9 Dec 2022

Fundraising is a huge part of missions. Whether you are raising money for yourself to be supported as a missionary, or for a project to help others, it takes funding to accomplish our God given goals. Although it can be overwhelming, it doesn't have to suck. 

Topics: Provision Fundraising Missions Trust God Trust Missionary Missionary Life Faith Missionary Training Money support work funding support raising
5 min read

How Do I Fundraise?

By Tyler Tom on 9 Oct 2020

HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?

Missions—it sounds wild, crazy and just what you’ve always wanted, but you scroll down to where it says “fees” and you stop. Maybe God has something else for you. You know, a cheaper option or a well-paying, safe option. 

Topics: Fundraising Trust God Trust YWAM DTS Finances Money support giving
4 min read

When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

By Jordon Lippiatt on 21 Aug 2020

WHEN LIFE DOESN'T GO AS PLANNED

2020 has been a year none of us expected. I wish I could just blame the pandemic for wrecking my plans, but I'm learning a bigger lesson when my life plans get sideways.

On my journey over the last year and half, there have been many times I had to continuously remind myself of the goodness of God in spite of my circumstances.

Topics: Training School YWAM Tyler Purpose Growth Trust God Trust Direction Obedience YWAM DTS Calling Missionary Life Perspective Anxiety Redirection Dependence on God Deeper with God Overcoming covid-19 plans life
2 min read

From Acorn to Oak Tree | Missionary Life

By Madelyn Johnson on 25 Apr 2020

FROM ACORN TO OAK TREE | MISSIONARY LIFE

Last year Jesus gave me a vision. In it I was in a packed van, full of friend's voices when I suddenly heard no more noise, and saw nothing but a wide-open field.

In the middle stood an oak tree that was magnificent, massive, strong! I felt total peace and I knew that this was a vision from God. I asked again and again what it meant, It took an entire year for Him to tell me. 

Topics: Missions Purpose Trust Hope YWAM Faith Missionary Training Overcoming
3 min read

Propelled Into Confidence | YWAM Tyler

By Tyler Tom on 16 Apr 2018

If you're lacking confidence, than this story is for you! Taylor shares about her experience during a training school at YWAM Tyler that changed her life and boosted her confidence. 

Topics: YWAM Tyler School of Worship Trust God Trust Confidence
1 min read

God: A Really Cool Trip Advisor

By Tyler Tom on 11 Aug 2017

If you've wondered what it might be like going on YWAM Tyler outreach, Casi's story will give you a glimpse into the wonders of hearing from God and doing what He says while on outreach. 

Topics: Trust Obedience Following Jesus Hearing God's Voice
2 min read

We needed $2500 by 5pm!

By Amy Fish on 2 Jun 2017

It was the day before we were to leave on our outreach to LA & Alaska. Our family's airline tickets had already been purchased, but the remaining needed funds, which amounted to $2500, was still unpaid. We were the only team members lacking too. First thing that morning, our school leader met with us to make sure we clearly understood the expectations; we couldn’t go on outreach if we didn’t have all our money in by 5pm. With the clock ticking, we did the only thing we knew to do: pray!

We sent out a text to our faithful prayer partners, and with a surprising peace within, we waited on the Lord.

Topics: Outreach Provision Trust
3 min read

Lessons Learned at YWAM Tyler Continue to Shape My Life

As I awoke again to the sound of the sea surging on the rocks, the scream of the gulls, and the beautiful vista fanning...

1 min read

Helping Victims of the Morocco Earthquake

On September 8th, a 6.8 earthquake killed over 2900 people and left many thousands homeless. According to multiple...

2 min read

What I Didn't Expecting During My YWAM DTS

With tears in my eyes, I pulled down the door of the Budget rental truck, said goodbye to my apartment, and heard God...

3 min read

Trusting God To Make A Way

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is tell you to seek Jesus for yourself. In reality, as Christians, we...
2 min read

Hope for Maui Amid the Fire

As news spread across America about the wildfires in Maui, we have been postured in prayer for our friends and family...

2 min read

Spiritual Leadership for the Next Generation

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility? Being a leader is far from easy but if God called you to...

2 min read

All or Nothing

Do you remember the day Jesus became real to you?

When I hear the lyrics to "When You Walk Into The Room" play...

3 min read

I Am Not Disqualified.

It is well with my soul . . . Really?

I’ve heard these words many times. Something about them stands out to me, but can...

2 min read

Overcoming Lies through Discipleship

I never thought I’d experience the freedom that I so desperately prayed for when I was younger. Believing every lie the...

2 min read

Fear Doesn't Have To Derail You From Fulfilling Your Purpose

Is God calling you to step out in faith and apply for a Discipleship Training School (DTS), but fear keeps kicking you...

3 min read

Nana Taught Me Almost Everything About Jesus

Is it just me, or does every generation go through a season of life believing they know it all? Even the Apostle Paul...

2 min read

Trusting God for the Impossible

With little to no money towards her outreach, Emma Hamlin experiences a financial miracle. There is freedom that comes...