YWAM (Youth a With A Mission) is an
international, non-denominational, Christian
organization dedicated to presenting Jesus to the
current generation, helping them to know God for themselves and then
teaching them how to make Him known to others. Since YWAM was founded in
1960, by Loren Cunningham, thousands of people have been working
out Jesus’ desire for the nations and that is that all my know of Him and
His saving love. To accomplish this, YWAM focuses on training and
equipping young people to carry out the Great Commission in specific interest
areas, for example communications, photography, justice, mercy, and children at
risk, to name a few. Today, YWAM has ministries in more than 171
countries and has about 16,590 full-time workers in a myriad of
different outreach functions.
In
Brazil, YWAM began in 1975, through Jim and
Pamela Stier in Contagem City, in the State of
Minas Gerais. Today there are 53 locations and Missionary Training Centers
throughout Brazil and more than 1,300 full time
volunteers. You can join in the work of YWAM
Brazil by volunteering, participating in our outreach campaigns,
participate in a DTS, short-term courses
or joining our staff (which means, becoming one of our
missionaries). If you are contemplating working with us, in any capacity,
please contact any one of the Brazil bases and we can assist
you. All YWAM bases share common principles and values, but
also have different ministry emphases and specialties.
To be
an YWAM missionary/staff member you must meet a
few requirements and they are: you must be a Christian, must be
active in your local Church, you must provide a letter of
recommendation from your lead Pastor, and be at least 18 years. Then you
must complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS). This school is the gateway
to YWAM. You can "do" a DTS in Brazil or abroad and after
satisfactory completion of a DTS, you´will be eligible to work in any
YWAM base in the world. DTS is a 5 month, full-time
commitment, so the students live in community, at YWAM base
where their DTS is located. Each base has different types of
DTSs with different characteristics. For instance, some may be bilingual,
others may be focused on sports and others may be focused on working with
children at risk.
The DTS
curriculum is directed towards the individual
students' vocational profile and personal relationship with
God. Experienced missionaries teach the students and
assist them in discovering their unique skills, talents, and gifts
which can then be used in Christian service, whether in missionary work or in
the Christian or secular spheres of society. DTS is divided in 2 periods:
3 months, called Theoretical Period, in which classes on various subjects are taught and students have
homework, reports and various other assignments. This is followed by 2
months of Practical Application.
During this time the DTS students put into practice what they
have learned by serving in Brazil or abroad. The cost of a DTS varies
from base to base but the cost (almost always) includes food, lodging, and
travel. The variation in cost is usually a function of the base location, the
type of DTS, and the cost of living in that base locale.
As for how
to pay for a DTS, or classes, or time spent as a volunteer you should
understand that YWAM is called "to do life" based on the fundamental belief that God
will supply, through His plan and people, financial provision for individuals
and YWAM corporately.
We also
believe that a support system of people,
built on a network of personal relationships is essential to
successfully sustaining financial support. We believe that this
support-based system promotes responsibility, interdependence, communication,
and prayer.
The supporter gets involved
in the ministry as a partner and is able to experience God in a more
personal way than just sending a check to a large
organization. YWAMers are taught to give of themselves,
their time and talents
on the mission field with no expectation of remuneration and we believe that those who give to YWAMers are no
less giving and it is essential that this is communicated to those who support
YWAM. Also, communicating with and involving your local church in
your decision to participate in YWAM is of fundamental importance. A
relationship between the local church and aspiring
missionaries through the church's participation in sending a missionary to
the missionary field and providing support spiritually and financially is
immeasurable. And so, when you put these three foundational principles
together...confidence in the faithfulness of God, confidence in your personal
relationships and involving your church ...this system of support works well.
Virtually
all YWAM bases are running DTS at any given time and you can choose
to attend any one. Our suggestion is that you submit this choice to the Lord.
And after you have, then write to the base or bases in which you have an
interest and request an application.
We hope
this helps answer some of your questions. Please, don´t hesitate to
contact us for further information or with any other questions!
The Discipleship Training School - DTS, is your chance to have an experience with God like never before. It's an intense, rewarding and fun experience of five months of apprenticeship with three months of theoretical training and two months of a practical experience in the missionary field. It is necessary that the student be with us full time, during the whole period of the DTS.
You won´t just only study the word of God, also you´ll learn to make it real in your own life, learning to hear the voice of God and allowing Him to change your heart. DTS is your chance to intensively seek God´s face and understand the joy of the intimacy with the Creator. Each DTS can offer opportunities to the outreach in local, national or international places.
The DTS - Discipleship Training School is a course that offers people the opportunity to strengthened their character and personality to know more God's purpose for their lives.
The main emphasis of the course is to know God more deeply and provide for the student, favorable circumstances to mature the relationship with the Lord and people around.
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