Below comprises a list of many questions we encounter. Please note, there are many, many more we haven’t included, so please feel free to contact us with any enquiries,
How can I find out more about YWAM in Australia and around the world?
You can visit the YWAM Australia web site at www.ywam.org.au, or the YWAM International web site at www.ywam.org
Youth With A Mission is an international volunteer movement of Christians from many backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced “WHY-wham”), our purpose is simply to know God and to make Him known.
YWAM has a decentralized structure that encourages new vision and the exploration of new ways to change lives through training, convey the message of the gospel and care for those in need. We are currently operating in more than 1000 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000.
When YWAM began in 1960, our main focus was giving young people opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the whole world, according to His command in Mark 16:15. Today, we still focus on youth, but we have members (known as “YWAMers”) of almost every age and many of our short-term efforts have grown into long-term endeavours that have impacted lives and nations.
YWAM embraces three methods of fulfilling the Great Commission: Evangelism, Training and Mercy Ministries. YWAM’s Marine Reach ships supply the waters of the Pacific, bringing supplies and medical aid to disaster-affected countries. Church planting and frontier missions teams, high school evangelism ministries, schools and many other programs operate on both short-and long-term basis. To date, YWAM teams have ministered in literally every country on the face of the earth.
No. Every member in YWAM works on a voluntary basis and is responsible for raising their own support.
Are there any age limits in YWAM?
Entrants to the DTS usually need to be eighteen years old or close to it. Outside of that, there are no age limits.
Do I need to have completed my education to attend YWAM?
No. There are no expectations placed on you in this regard. You only need to come with a heart to learn about the Lord and His plan for your life.
What other courses and opportunities are at YWAM Sydney Hills?
After finishing the DTS, students can move into a Certificate IV in Christian Missions. Sydney Hills also runs the Beyond Survival seminar to equip you as you move into missions. Ministry opportunities include ‘Hands of Love’, Children at Risk and Mission Adventures. There are also openings for people to be involved in backbone ministries eg cooking, training staff, accounting etc. Check out these and other opportunities under Training and Ministry.
Do you have short term opportunities within YWAM?
To find out about our short-term opportunities check out Mission Adventures.
Check out the DTS Course Information Handbook under Training.
Does doing the DTS commit me to working with YWAM?
Not at all. Many students leave YWAM and return to work, studies or assisting in their home church or other Christian organisations.
What is a DTS and who is it for?
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is an intense six-month course consisting of three months of lectures and associated activities and three months of evangelistic outreach or field assignment which will involve a cross-cultural experience. The primary aim of the course is to learn about God’s character, your relationship with Him and how best to share His love with others. The course is not so much about head knowledge and theory as it is about heart surgery and practical application. The DTS is open to anyone from eighteen years of age who desires to go deeper with God.
The DTS is designed to encourage students to develop in personal character, to cultivate a living relationship with God, and to identify their unique individual gifts and callings in God. Cross-cultural exposure and global awareness are special emphases throughout this course, preparing you to reach current and future generations and answer the call to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19.
The cost of the lecture phase is $4,000.00 AUD which includes food, accommodation, and all lecture phase costs. The Outreach cost will vary depending on the outreach location but you will be safe if you budget for approximately $4,000.00.
You will also need to pay for your airfares to and from Sydney, Australia, visa fees, and ongoing costs whilst you are in Sydney such as laundry, telephone, spending money, personal toiletries and any other things you may want or need.
Previous outreaches have been to Thailand, Jordan, Kuwait, the Gold Coast Queensland, and country NSW Australia. Future outreaches could include these and other south-east Asia countries.
The successful completion of the DTS is a pre-requisite for any further training or ministry in YWAM. So after you have completed your DTS you can continue study within YWAM by doing a one-off school eg School of Biblical Studies, School of Evangelism, or you can follow a training stream to obtain a diploma or degree through YWAM’s University of the Nations.
Just as importantly, you can join as a staff member at any of the YWAM operating locations around the world and this will open up many different ministry opportunities to you. If you have a particular people group, country or ministry on your heart, there will be an opening for you in YWAM.
If I’m from overseas, can YWAM arrange my visa?
Yes. All this information will be given to you when you make application for a school or to join as staff. Remember though, it takes time to process visas so you need to get your application in early when you are coming from overseas.
