FAQs

What exactly is YWAM?

YWAM stands for Youth With A Mission. It is an international, interdenominational Christian missionary organization with 900 centres in over 140 countries. Starting in 1960 with teams of young people visiting the islands of the Caribbean, YWAM today represents over 17,000 permanent staff with 10's of thousands involved in short-term projects each year.

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.

What types of courses are run at YWAM Melbourne?

As of April 2009 we run the Discipleship Training School (DTS), Biblical Core Course (BCC), Basic Leadership School (BLS), Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training Phase 1 & 2, planning on running the School of Acts (SOA) in Sep 09.

What evangelism and ministry opportunities do you have at YWAM Melbourne?

Each of our DTS teams head overseas for their outreaches - recent locations have been Thailand, Cambodia, East Timor, Mauritius, Mozambique, Indonesia, China.We run weekly ministries - Tuesday night we take out our Soup Van to the streets of St Kilda; we hang out with underprivelidged kids in the Richmond government housing estates; we take teams to garden, clean, support and love our local community through Blessing Boroondara; we hear God and go and do 1 on 1 evangelism through our Mall Crawl team; we pamper and bring value to the prostitutes of St Kilda through Sparkle; we reach out to students from here and the world through our University Ministry and many more unplanned, spontaneous loving on people just through living our lives and interacting with those around us.

What is a DTS and who is it for?

The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is an intense six-month course consisting of two parts: three months of lectures and three months of evangelistic outreach `in the field', either cross-culturally or locally. 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 17 to ?, and who desires to go deeper with God.

Why should I do a DTS?

The DTS is a wonderful, life-changing experience, regardless of age or cultural background. When you give God six months of your life to let Him have His way, you'll find out how intense is His love for you, how exciting are His plans for you and how awesome is His power flowing in and through you. As you go deeper in this heart-to-heart relationship with you heavenly Father you'll never be the same!

But don't just take our word for it. Read what some students had to say about their Melbourne DTS experience last year.

"I have a real confidence inside and a stability and strength that wasn't there before. I have the Holy Spirit. I hear God. I love my family more than ever. God is real to me like never before. I am so glad that I came to DTS! I believe that I would've fallen away from God if I had not done this. It was awesome!" Aubin H., MO, USA

"mind blowing . life-changing. soul searching. 6 months filled with many frustrations/tears as I was faced with many fears/insecurities and through the refining process was transformed. I will go home with incredible memories and many special friendships but most importantly the knowledge and certainty that I am loved by a faithful God and He has an incredible passion and purpose for me and my life." Ruthie A., MT, Canada

"I'm more confident in public speaking, speaking out and my authority in God. I've been very stoked with how I've changed and I've had fun along the way, too!" Neil S., New Zealand

"It's been one of the best things I have done in my life. Before I came I really had no idea what to expect. I now have higher standards for my own life. I now know the Father heart of God. I can hear God's voice clearer." Bronnie D., Australia

"This DTS has exceeded my expectations! I came with the hope that I'd develop a closer walk with God and hopefully make some good friends along the way. I have certainly become closer to God, made some incredible friends, been challenged, and stretched. The teaching was even better than I could have hoped. The friendships are better than I ever dreamed." Shahla B., New Zealand