When it comes to training for the now and the future, God uses many events in our lives. The people that we meet and work with can have a profound impact on us. The books that we read, the movies we watch, the music we listen to.
As we recognize these influences there is also another factor; what we choose to do. God still gives us free will even as we surrender our lives to Him. We feel called to missions work; spreading the gospel, training Christians in areas of worship and the bible, and practically serving others.
We have both taken training schools and been on outreaches to put our training into action and further our development in areas of need and areas we feel God is moving us in. As the Apostle Paul said, it is a race… it takes time and equipping to do the tasks God gives us.
‘I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace’ - Acts 20:24
Here are the schools we’ve taken in YWAM so far:
The DTS is a 5-6 month foundational school teaching on God’s character, missions, relationships, spiritual warfare, hearing God’s voice, worship etc. There are 3 months of lectures then 2-3 months of outreach. It is the entry-level school to YWAM so everyone in the Mission has to do one before joining staff or doing another school. Theron did his DTS in Montana in Fall 2003 and went on outreach to South Africa for 2 months. Nicola her did DTS in Holland in Fall 2001 and went on outreach to India for 3 months.
The SOW is not only for musical worship leaders, although that is definitely the main focus of the school, but it is also for people who have a desire to learn what worship is biblically and how to better worship God in ways that are truly honoring in all areas of life. Theron did his SOW in Fall 2004 and then staffed the school for 2 years. We are both full-time in this department and Theron is in transition to take over for the foreseable future. We have a lot of vision for the school and to see it develop and for the teaching to become more and more relevant for this generation!
The SBS is a 9-month school which takes students through the bible inductively, reading every book 5 times! This method allows students to ask a broad range of questions about the text to discover the true meaning of hard passages, learn about the original reader, the author, the historical background and culture. Through this form of study you see how the bible is still applicable today. Nicola did her SBS in Montana in 2005-2006. Theron did his SBS in Montana in 2008-2009
Nicola took the TESOL course in July 2005 in Montana. The course taught her how to teach English to people of any language level using creative ways and proven methods that work fast. The English language is at its highest demand in the 21st Century across the world. Even in Montana Nicola has be able to talk with foreigners and help their English develop. It is so rewarding to know you are giving people tools that will help them for the rest of their lives. Communication is one of the most important things we need as human beings to relate to each other and be an influence in each others lives.
Graduates of the SBS have the opportunity to take a 3-month teaching and preaching outreach school called Titus Project. The goal is to teach people in areas of the world with little or no access to bible training. Nicola did Titus Project in the Fall of 2006 and went to Tanzania with 2 amazing women; Marysol and Lezlee. Over 9 weeks we taught and preached in 11 villages and were able to teach the SBS inductive bible study method in a simple format that people could keep studying with after we left. To see a video of the outreach, click here!
The SAEP is a 6-month school where students learn how to produce and engineer studio albums and run live sound. Theron worked in the Recording Studio (Studio 501) for a year and then staffed this school Jan-Jun 2008. He discovered a love for this industry and has natural talent running sound and producing songs. This comes in handy constantly as he is involved with worship teams regularly.
Theron took DTS Equip in summer 2011. It is a 6-week training course for leaders in the area of discipleship. As he is leading the School of Worship he, along with our 3 SOW staff for the following school, all took the course. It was an amazing investment to learn about leadership and mentoring that will be useful for years to come.
