A Job Well Done

Have you ever attempted something extremely challenging, and succeeded at it? How does that feeling of accomplishment make you feel? Chances are you are probably positively confident and overjoyed.

In Akron, OH (at 7p.m.) on a rather warm Tuesday March 8, 2016 (at Akron First Assembly Manor House), our nineteen year-old daughter, Allena, graduated from her half a year venture with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Akron.

Her mother and I are proud of this success because neither one of us are absolutely sure we could have accomplished this feat. (We are no longer empty nesters.)

DTS or Discipleship Training School (nicknamed “Die to Self”) trains and equips in powerful ways for ministry, missions, and character building. The school (offered through University of the Nations) consists of three months of teaching and training and three months of outreach/field assignment in the USA (or internationally).

The theme of YWAM Akron is “To know God and make Him known.” The twelve weeks of DTS cover such topics as the ones listed below in an attempt to smooth the rough character edges away as an attempt is made to become more like Christ.

During this phase, small groups, one-on-one, involvement and outreach with the ministries of the local church are also used to supplement what is being learned during lecture time.

1.  Making Jesus Lord

2.  Worship, Evangelism

3.  Prayer & Intercession

4.  Recognizing the Voice of God

5.  Intimacy with God

6.  The Nature and Character of God

7.  The Person of Jesus

8.  The Holy Spirit

9.  Missions/Cross Cultural Ministry

10.     Biblical World View

11.     The Father Heart of God

12.     Spiritual Warfare

13.     Teaching and Bible Study

14.     The Fear of the Lord

15.     True Repentance

16.     Reconciliation

Since each YWAMer is considered a missionary, individual funding is raised as none of the students have the time to work a paying job during this event.

The stateside mission phase this year included:

1.  Wooster, OH

2.  Washington, D.C.

3.  New Orleans, LA

4.  Charleston, SC

5.  Myrtle Beach, SC

6.  Wadmalaw Island, SC

7.  Whitesburg, KY

8.  Detroit, MI

Trip highlights included: marching in a pro-life rally; praying around both an abortion clinic as well as for healing at a nursing home; leading others to Christ at a Veteran’s Administration clinic; working in children’s after-school program; gardening; mansion restoration; lots of laundry; and intensive cleaning.

This festive graduation ceremony was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The worship music was loud, repetitious, active, and abundant (irritated me). Those present got to watch a video of what the students did on the mission’s portion of YWAM Akron.

The background music to this production was the song, No Longer Slaves by Jonathan and Melissa Helser of Bethel Music. Many of the students involved resonated with the line “I'm no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God” from the song. It mirrored all the ways God was moving them out of their comfort zones to something new and different.

Before receiving both of their diplomas (see picture), each student had a chance to give a brief testimony. Allena felt this training had made her a nicer person. After the ceremony, was a humungous party full of all the things I should (and should not) eat.

Let’s just say my diabetic doctor would not have been pleased with the food consumption choices I gorged on. (My bedtime insulin came in very handy.)

At home, she’s not the same uncontrollable “wild stallion” daughter that left our home in September of 2015. This Allena is still unpredictable, but is a much more refined version of the daughter I’ve struggled to love at various times (because she is so much like me). I would say she has succeeded at her “kindness” objective.

If you are attempting to accomplish a big challenge in your life, please consider the verses below to inspire you on the path you are traveling. Remember that God wants you to thrive in all you do (Jeremiah 29:11).

1.  “Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out it using all the help you can get.” Proverbs 20:18 (MSG)

2.  In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (TLB)

3.  You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (ERV)

4.  “Look at the powerful things the Lord has done...”  Psalm 46:8 (ERV)

5.  “Intelligent people think about what needs to be done here and now. Fools are always dreaming about faraway places.” Proverbs 17:24 (ERV)

Certificate for DTS portion of YWAM Akron

Certificate for missions portion of YWAM Akron

Testimony time

Right before getting certificate