One morning I sat in the classroom during my training school with YWAM, and I was crying, thanking God for the loss of my job.

God has been doing amazing things with our DTS team on outreach in Thailand. As the team has made themselves available, God has opened doors for them to speak the truth and build relationships with people living in local villages. The testimony you are about to read is just a glimpse of how the Lord uses us to be His hands and feet to ensure that those who need Him know they are seen and loved.

With tears in my eyes, I pulled down the door of the Budget rental truck, said goodbye to my apartment, and heard God say to me one more time, “Will you give up all I’ve given you to receive all I have for you?”

At 26 years old, God was calling me to a Discipleship Training School. I had no idea what to expect other than God was getting ready to stretch me in a way I had never been stretched before. I sold most of my furniture, stored the rest of my belongings, and headed to YWAM Tyler. In faith, I stepped out trusting God, the author of my life, and believing I needed to expect the unexpected from this point on.

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!

Is God calling you to step out in faith and apply for a Discipleship Training School (DTS), but fear keeps kicking you in the guts? What if this turns out to be the biggest mistake of your life? What if you're asked to do something way out of your comfort zone? What if you don't fit in? Run out of money? Or fail everyone's expectations? What if you're not really hearing God's voice after all? Something is gnawing away inside your head saying, "I just don't think I can do this!"

“It was hot. It was dirty and humid. We had to squat to use the makeshift bathrooms in the bush camp. And it was one of the best weeks of my life." Ben, DTS Graduate.

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."

Has God ever prompted you to do something but you overlooked the opportunity?

I recently was thinking of this phrase, “If you won’t do it God will send another.” I think it's true! God can and will send someone else but He wants to use you! Think for a moment, the Creator of all things wants to partner with you! Imagine what you could accomplish if you were to walk in obedience with the Lord’s plan even in the little things.

After sitting in three months of mind-blowing DTS classes, I was ready to get our there into the real world with the rich truths I'd learned! The best way to solidify all God has done in our lives is to transfer the knowledge into our daily experience, allowing His grace to have its perfect work.  And that’s just what He did during our 8 weeks of travel covering 20,000 miles, including 2 nations in East Asia.

We receive urgent requests for prayer almost daily from Ukraine. It is incredible how God can orchestrate ministry even in such a dire situation. 

What if you could graduate high school, and you and your friends could travel the world with purpose? Would you consider it?  Does it sound too far-fetched? Deep down doesn't it sound exciting⏤taking a year "off" and discovering everything God has for you before your next big decision?

Well you can, and for many it's been the best decision they ever made. I've talked with a whole bunch of students wanting to take a Gap Year and interviewed a few who already did it.

Here is what you need to consider before taking the leap: 

— DOWNLOAD THE GAP YEAR PLANNING GUIDE ebook / pdf —