YWAM? Ministry for youth? Does anyone have any experience with this organization?

[UberTroxy]

So I've been discussing potential ministry projects with a friend and he suggested joining YWAM after high school. Well, immediately I became interested and looked up this particular organization on-line and became instantly confused. I don't know if I'm just really dense today and can't pick up on the specifics of what YWAM (Youth With a Mission) does, but it seems as though it's an organization centred around youth ministry. Now within that, YWAM offers something called DTS, or Discipleship Training School. This program looks to be focused on preparing youth for going on international missions, and then actually sending them out on ones which are specifically funded by the organization itself. Also, it looks as though YWAM is associated with another organization, or institution, called the U of N, or University of Nations. I had even more trouble figuring out what the purpose of this thing was, but again it looks as though it offers the same amount of courses as YWAM does.

So my question is if any of you have had any experience with YWAM or with the U of N, and if you have what does it offer and what did it do for you personally? Did it prepare you for entrance into another Biblical university/college? (Something in which I'm looking at) Did you attend the U of N? Etc, Etc...

[Timofree]

Am considering YWAM for internship next year, so thought Id give this a bump................

[AnandaHya]

have you asked your pastor about it?

Personally don't know anything about it but if you haven't already here are some website commentaries:

ywam.org / Home - YWAM

Youth With A Mission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Criticism and controversy

There have been allegations by former members that a few YWAM leaders with authoritarian personalities have intimidated volunteers and reprimanded those acting in opposition to the organization's vision and values.[103][104][105][106] Some of the political involvements of its founders and members have also been examined by the media.[98][106][107][108][109] It is also claimed by Christian apologists that YWAM has taught some controversial doctrines.[110][111][112]
In 1990, cult investigator Rick Ross published an evaluation of Youth with a Mission, that cited both positive and negative aspects of YWAM. Ross concluded that he did not "recommend Youth With A Mission" or its programs. He believes YWAM uses well known brainwashing techniques during their reguired DTS.[106] After the 2007 shootings, Ross told the Fox News Network that he continued to receive occasional "serious complaints" about Youth With A Mission, but he believed it is "not a cult" ."[93]
[edit]Theological concerns
Evangelical theologians Alan Gomes and E. Calvin Beisner claim that certain unorthodox doctrines were taught at some YWAM locations from the 1970s until the 1990s.[110][111]
YWAM's previous endorsements of Moral Government Theology (Arminian view of the Atonement) and teaching on Spiritual mapping has been controversial as well.
Sara Diamond, citing an interview with Gary North, also claimed that YWAM "sees its role as an on-the-ground combat force against liberation theology."[113] Lynn Green, speaking on behalf of YWAM, disagreed that post-modernism is detrimental to youth, because of its oppositions to scientific materialism.[8]

Is YWAM a Cult? Jen's Weblog

I would strongly recommend praying about it and asking God to guide you.

[AnandaHya]

sorry posted twice

[Jordache]

I wanted to go on a DTS when I was in highschool. At 13 I went on a trip with my church to Mexico and we partnered with YWAM. There was a YWAM base in my hometown so I knew a lot of YWAMers. This summer my friend attended U of N in Hawaii. It was a several week course centered on knowing who you are in Christ, who God is, and the practicals of worship. In january she went on a DTS in Pennsylvania and Virginia. There she's been prepping for the actually ministry trip. Next month she will be heading to England and ireland to minister.
Another friend of mine worked full time in France with YWAM. They all lived in a house together and did culturally relevant and natural ministry.