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.

 

[johannesk]

Hi Jordache

I've done a DTS in Darwin Australia.
YWAM and UofN is pretty much the same thing. The UofN is the official training arm of YWAM, so when you do a DTS you will get a certificate from the UofN, and then if you want to you could go on and get a degree within YWAM.

A DTS is a great way to get started into ministry, and to try different things.

Some YWAM bases i would recommend for a DTS is
YWAM Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Youth Missions or YWAM - Youth with a Mission - Discipleship Training School Australia in Australia
or YWAM Denver or YWAM Ships Orange County - Bringing Hope To The Port Cities and Island Nations of the World in the US

hope this helps

 

[BarbieBlank77]

I went to YWAM in 2009 and did an arts DTS in Worcester, South Africa. We went on outreach to Brazil.
During those 6 months I encountered God like never before and experienced His Spirit and hand in my life on a new level. I learned to care for myself and realise my own limitations. It taught me to trust God and to trust others. It taught me to work with a team and to be responsible.
I don't care what negative things people say about YWAM. Everyone is different and will have differing experiences. It can be quite a stresful experience, but God uses that time, and your dedication to Him to mould you. I came out of it all a stronger, more mature person who can now take on the world. I discovered things about myself I didn't know, and it was the hardest thing for me. I spent a lot of the time crying haha, cause God had to break me and deal with things in me.
I would love to go back to YWAM some day, and I recommend anyone and everyone should experience it. Some day I'm gonna send my kids too.

 

[levi85]

THERE ARE LOT OF DOCTRINES WE DONOT KNOW DURING OUR LIFETIME, THERE SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMS, LET GOD GUIDE US IN LIVING A WORTHY LIFE FOR HIM !

 

[DuchessAimee]

For various reasons I would not recommend doing a DTS or getting involved with YWAM. If anyone wants to know why, you're welcome to PM me.

 

[cvp57]

I don't re ommend anyone to have anything to do with YWAM either. I did a crdts in Pune India in 1995 and left afterwards as it was so unscriptual.

 

[cvp57]

Amen! I agree completely. Can you share why?

 

[randomname34]

I would recommend YWAM and their DTS program. I did a DTS at the YWAM Louisville location and it was great. I Went on outreach to South Asia and really impacted my life. I know not all YWAM location are not the same but I would generally recommend YWAM and their DTS program

 

[Mii]

I would recommend YWAM and their DTS program. I did a DTS at the YWAM Louisville location and it was great. I Went on outreach to South Asia and really impacted my life. I know not all YWAM location are not the same but I would generally recommend YWAM and their DTS program

How long ago did you go? I've been to that location to attend a DTS graduation and nothing really stuck out to me as "unscriptural" other than one of the songs being one of those controversial songs. I love the giant oak tree they have on the field...so cool.

Then again though, I did come across an article on "lighthousetrailsresearch.com" search YWAM if you are interested that they push contemplative prayer and "hearing the voice of God". With either of those things, if it's just being still and quiet before the Lord I don't have any problem with that. If it's being intentional about clearing distractions from your mind and if you are daydreaming to exercise mental/physical discipline and change your set/setting to that which is productive to your walk (walk/run/food/outside/etc.). Anything that looks like chanting or a "set formula" that is nowhere in scripture or if this "voice" says something unscriptural...tremendous caution should be taken, but Idk if this is taught specifically or just generally. Not every spirit is from God and we are to test the spirits.

It is possible that with YWAM "major on the majors, minor on the minors" is appropriate. I cannot say from the sidelines/secondhand interviews (yes I've "interviewed" at least one person at that location). Other insights were just from conversations/concerns.


I don't see anything that would lead me to believe that one cannot operate as a missionary there. Even despite all this, I think it's a well known umbrella and does allow the framework to preach the gospel overseas/nationally.

 

[Mission21]

I had to travel overseas..for many years.
----
I connected with YWAM..in several regions/countries.
They were very helpful.
- Getting info.
- Hospitality.

 

[HighPremise]

YWAM is a great place to do your "Dead Works" (Heb 6:1) - kinda hip and cool with the 80's vibe.
Not many christians out there saving their fellow mortals from the unthinkable wrath of ETERNAL DAMNATION - just think of it: A bird flies around the solar system every 10,000 years and flaps it's wing on a steel ball the size of the Earth. By the time the steel ball is worn down to nothing, eternity has just begun.
But it's all to fulfill the wrath of a holy and loving God.
Guess the torturing and death of Jesus was not enough.

 

[Abby88]

Ive only ever met great people from Ywam Great missionary spirit